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Disability Lifeline Update
In the final budget, the Disability Lifeline program will end on October 31st, and will be replaced by three new programs, to take effect November 1st.

1.      DL-U is replaced by a program called Essential Needs and Housing Support (ENHS). Eligibility for this program is linked to eligibility for Medical Care Services (MCS)*. Temporarily disabled people eligible for this program will continue to receive FULL medical benefits, but they will receive no cash assistance. Funds previously used for cash grants will be used to support a housing voucher program and “necessities banks” administered by the Department of Commerce. Because this program is funded at $64 million, which is not enough money to house all of the people on this program, only some people will be eligible for housing assistance.  Housing support will first go to recipients who are currently homeless; there is a contingency fund for housing for people who can document that they will lose their housing within 30 days once their cash grant is ended. The ‘necessities banks’ are intended to provide for personal hygiene, laundry, transportation and other items for all MCS recipients.  Details of exactly how the housing vouchers and necessities banks will work will be figured out in the coming months. Under the ENHS program the Department of Commerce will contract with one government or non-profit agency in each county to provide the services (most likely the entity that currently administers the Home Security Funds).

2.      DL-X is replaced with the Aged, Blind or Disabled Assistance program – People on this program will continue to receive FULL medical benefits, and the greatly reduced cash grant of $197 per month.  People in this program are those who are considered likely to qualify for federal SSI benefits in the future, or who have been found permanently disabled by the SSA but are not eligible for other reasons.  DSHS is required to review each recipient annually to determine if they qualify for the ABD program.

3.      A new Pregnant Women’s Program will be created to assist low income, pregnant women who are not eligible for TANF.  Right now there is no one on this program.  But, families who are terminated from TANF due to time limits and then become pregnant can get temporary assistance under this program.

* Medical Care Services (MCS) – the “old” eligibility for DL criteria have been moved into the MCS statute.  Anyone who meets the definition of incapacity will receive MCS coverage and thus ENHS. MCS is fully funded in the budget and so the program is not capped.

For some additional information and context, read Poverty Action’s 2011-2013 budget analysis, and learn about some rare victories to protect children’s health care and child care from cuts thanks to advocacy by the good people of the Children’s Alliance.  A full analysis of housing and homelessness priorities will soon be on the WA Low Income Housing Alliance’s website.

Information provided by Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness (SKCCH).

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Full Life Care’s New Mental Health Program

Full Life Care (formerly Elderhealth Northwest) has recently opened Solstice, a licensed community mental health program. Solstice empowers people to maintain healthy, independent living by providing mental health services in a safe and supportive environment. The staffing team includes geriatric mental health specialists, masters level case managers and an advanced registered nurse practitioner. It offers coordinated care plans that address a full range of client needs, including those with multiple diagnoses. Services include:

·         Assessment and diagnosis

·         Treatment planning

·         Case management

·         Day treatment

·         Medication management

Payment options include Medicaid and private pay. A sliding scale is also available.

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UGM Morning Watch Van Helps Homeless

On weekday mornings, many Seattle residents, business professionals and Downtown property owners start their day by witnessing individuals who are sleeping in doorways, under bridges, on benches – anywhere they can try to keep warm. Many passersby want to help those in need, but are unsure of what they can do. Now the Seattle community will have an easy option with access to a new service called Morning Watch.

Morning Watch is a partnership between Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission and Metropolitan Improvement District (MID), developed to help the Seattle community wake up individuals in need, while at the same time offering them a new start to the day – a safe place with a warm breakfast and the company of the compassionate, friendly staff at the Mission.

Between the hours of 7am and 9am, Seattle residents and business professionals in the Downtown corridor can call/text (206) 498-7913 or email MorningWatch@UGM.org to inform the Morning Watch team of an individual sleeping on the streets. The Morning Watch team will arrive shortly thereafter with coffee in hand to offer the individual a ride to the Men’s Shelter where they will receive a warm breakfast and safe shelter.

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Critical Resource Updates 

·         Center for Career Alternatives, which provided a variety of job training and placement services in Kent and Seattle for adults and youth, has closed due to financial difficulties. However Sea Mar has agreed to take over the operations of the agency.

·         Bellevue LifeSpring (formerly Overlake Service League) will start its school clothes voucher program June. 1. School children must be residents of Bellevue or Bellevue School District. Home visit is required for assistance. Call for home visit starting June 1. First come, first served. Vouchers good at the Factoria Target.

·         Northwest Justice Project is offering a new legal clinic for debt collection issues on Tuesday afternoons at the King County Law Library. To get accurate advice, debtors should bring with them all documents about the debt or debt collection, and documentation of income and assets, including bank statements and pay stubs.

·         Seattle Milk Fund began accepting applications for childcare grants. The agency provides a childcare grant of up to $1200.00 per quarter/per child and an education grant of $300.00 to each student who meets eligibility requirements.  They also match a membership “circle” with some students for additional support which includes temporary financial assistance for basic needs and encouragement.

·         Washington State Alcohol/Drug Clearinghouse will be closing effective June 30, 2011. The new hours until closing or they run out of materials (whichever comes first) are Monday through Thursday 10am to 7pm, Friday 10am to 4pm.

·         Tenant’s Union has opened three drop-in clinics to answer questions about tenant’s rights. One clinic will be at their main office in Seattle; the second will be at Southwest Youth & Family Services; and the third will be at North Helpline.

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June and July Resources
This column highlights timely resources in the community information database that might otherwise go unnoticed by our users. It is always recommended to check Community Resources Online for additional information and for the most current information concerning the following resources.

June Resources

·         Washington Council of the Blind
Scholarships are awarded to people who are blind or visually impaired and attending college or participating in a job training program. Applicants need not be members of the organization. Scholarship awards range from $1,500 to $3,000. Application deadline each year is June 30.

·         Washington Women in Need
Education Assistance grant applications will be available June 6th and 7th.  The applications will be available on the website for those two days only.  You will need to have been accepted to a school that accepts Federal Financial Aid and have filled out a FAFSA prior to applying. There will be one page of the application that your school will need to fill out so we recommend that you be on campus when you print out the application. Once received by WWIN, complete applications are processed on a first come first served basis. 

July Resources

·         Bellevue Parks and Community Services
Hires teenagers to work on a variety of projects throughout the park system in July and August. Project examples include trail maintenance, painting fences and building sheds. Also offers an employment-training program and personal finance class to those already enrolled in the program.

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