WA HB1263

Expands eligibility for the Essential Needs and Housing Support Program to include low or extremely low-income elderly or disabled adults who are transitioning off benefits, receiving federal Social Security, and have immediate housing needs—without requiring a DSHS referral

Allows direct cash assistance to program recipients, removing the previous prohibition on cash benefits

Requires support entities to reverify eligibility every 12 months for persons receiving services

Aligns administrative expense rates for essential needs and housing support entities with other home security funded programs, replacing the previous 7% cap

Eliminates SSI repayment requirements effective October 1, 2025—recipients who receive both aged, blind, or disabled assistance and later SSI for the same period will no longer owe the state a debt (though amounts paid before October 1, 2025 remain subject to recovery)