Action Alert: Protect the Safety Net for Washington's Disabled Citizens

With time running out this legislative session and a special session looking more likely with each passing hour, an important budget item has yet to be resolved: Washington's General Assistance Unemployable (GAU). Both the Governor and State Senate deeply reduced the GAU program in their proposed budgets.

GAU is a critical support for individuals struggling because of a temporary disability and is one of the few supports for people waiting to be placed on permanent disability. Recipients receive a small cash stipend ($339) and medical coverage. Without this program, many GAU clients would lose the medical care helping to stabilize their medical condition so they can go back to work. And oftentimes, the GAU stipend is the only resource keeping a person from becoming homeless.

Please take a moment and urge your State Senator to support this vital program.