Action Alert: Urge the Senate and Governor Gregoire to Create Washington's Disability Lifeline

One week into the Legislature's special session and the struggle over protecting programs, making sensible reforms and finding responsible sources of new revenue continues. The fate of one program — General Assistance Unemployable (GAU) — will be determined by the Senate and Governor Gregoire.

Late last week, the House passed HB 2782, which reforms the GAU program to save Washington State money (as much as $30 million) and makes the program more effective. HB 2782 renames GAU Disability Lifeline, requires substance abuse treatment, creates a housing program for homeless recipients and beefs up SSI facilitation making it more likely they will receive federal disability benefits.

Disability Lifeline 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 people with disabilities would lose the medical care helping to stabilize their medical condition so they can go back to work. HB 2782 makes this program better and saves Washington money.

Please take a moment and urge your State Senator and Governor Gregoire to pass HB 2782.