Lawmakers only have today to move forward bills that would help tens of thousands of Washingtonians access the help they need to find a pathway out of poverty. These are our priority bills on the chopping block today:
HB 2007, which would permanently reinstate broad hardship time limit exemptions for families on TANF. When broad hardship exemptions were temporarily restored during the pandemic, access to help during times of need significantly increased, with families of color benefitting most. Unfortunately, the temporary restoration of broad hardship exemptions expired in June 2023, reinstating recession-era policy with documented racist outcomes that has already begun kicking people off of TANF who still need (and otherwise qualify for) benefits.
SB 6135, which would reinstate support services that help families transition off of TANF to supporting themselves independently. Prior to the Great Recession, families voluntarily leaving TANF received 12 months of support services for items like car repairs, gas, work clothing, and tools after their TANF benefits ended. For families receiving low cash grants, a $2000 transition stipend provided the financial stability needed to leave TANF and land on their feet.
Since the recession, that support has been cut to only 3 months, and families have been trapped at the edge of the benefits cliff, unable to leave TANF and still support their families.
HB 1075, which would expand eligibility for the Working Families Tax Credit to young adults 18-25 and seniors 65+. This year is the second year that Washingtonians can claim a tax credit of up to $1,200 through the Department of Revenue. The Working Families Tax Credit put an average of $700 back into the pockets of 190,000 households in Washington state last year. However, an age restriction for 18-24 year olds and people 65+ without kids means young adults and working seniors struggling to make ends meet don't qualify.
Tell Your Lawmakers: Act Now To Support Washingtonians Living on a Low Income!
