Substance Use Disorders - Assessment and Treatment Requirements for ABD, HEN Referral, and PWA

Revised on: January 23, 2024

WAC 388-447-0120 -How does substance use affect my eligibility for referral to the housing and essential needs (HEN) program?

WAC 388-449-0220 -How does substance use affect my eligibility for the ABD cash and pregnant women assistance programs?

Clarifying Information 

  1. When we have current objective information that indicates an ABD or HEN Referral recipient may have a substance use disorder that is material to the client’s incapacitating or disabling condition(s), ABD and HEN Referral recipients must complete a substance use assessment as a condition of eligibility. Indications of a substance use disorder include, but are not limited to:
    1. A diagnosis of a substance use disorder;
    2. Signs of intoxication noted by a medical provider;
    3. Medical or mental health chart notes indicating overuse or misuse of prescribed medication;
    4. Recent legal problems associated with substance use (e.g. as reported by the client or documented via medical records); or
    5. Statement from the client that their substance use is a barrier to employment
  2. When we have current objective information that indicates a PWA recipient may have a substance use disorder, PWA recipients must complete a substance use assessment as a condition of eligibility.
  3. If a current substance assessment from a substance use disorder professional indicates a need for treatment, ABD, HEN Referral, and PWA recipients must participate in recommended treatment unless the recipient has good cause.
    1. Substance use assessments are valid for 6 months. Once a client is engaged in substance use treatment, it is not necessary to obtain a new substance use assessment unless otherwise recommended by the client’s treatment provider.
  4. Good cause for not completing a substance use assessment or treatment includes, but is not limited to, the following reasons:
    1. We determine that the recipient’s physical or mental impairment(s) prevent them from participating based on a review of available objective medical evidence;
    2. The outpatient substance use disorder treatment the recipient needs is not available in the county where they live;
    3. The inpatient substance use disorder treatment the recipient needs is not available at a location the recipient can reasonably access; or
    4. The recipient is a parent or other relative personally providing care for a minor child or an incapacitated individual living in their household, child care or day care is necessary for the recipient to participate in substance use disorder treatment, and such care is not available.

Note: If there are other good cause reasons not listed in 4 (a-d), staff the case with your supervisor to determine good cause. Clearly document the case actions.

  1. When a client's ABD, HEN Referral, or PWA assistance is closed due to not completing an assessment or participating in treatment without good cause, the client remains ineligible until they take necessary steps (within their power) to participate.
  2. Disability Specialists support assessment and treatment requirements for ABD and HEN Referral clients. (See CSD Procedures Handbook: Substance Use Disorder Assessment and Treatment- ABD/ HEN Referral)
  3. WorkFirst Social Services Specialists support substance use requirements for PWA clients. (See CSD Procedures Handbook: Substance Use Assessment and Treatment- PWA)

Related Procedures (Staff Only)