Disability Lifeline Cuts
Christine Johansen
Disability Lifeline Cuts
DSHS has published an emergency rule cutting Disability Lifeline benefits from $266/month to $197/month effective April 1, 2011
Link to rule: http://www.dshs.wa.gov/pdf/ms/rpau/103E-11-07-041.pdf
Any Disability Lifeline client who receives a federal housing subsidy that is income based (Public Housing, Section 8 Voucher, HOME TBRA, HUD Project Based Section 8, USDA Rural Development, Rental Assistance, and various McKinney Act programs), should immediately report the reduction to whoever calculates their rent and ask for a rent deduction, preferably by the date their benefits are cut again, i.e. April 1, 2011.
We should also affirmatively reach out to Disability Lifeline clients now residing in housing, where rents are income based, and adjust their rent now for April 1, 2011, rather than wait until these clients report the change. These clients are disabled and many lack the wherewithal to report changes in income, provide verification, etc. None of them likely have savings or any ability to replace the income they will lose and simply cannot afford to pay rent based on income they no longer will have.
If assistance is needed call the CLEAR Hotline. Outside King County: Call 1-888-201-1014 weekdays from 9:15 a.m. until 12:15 p.m.
In King County call: (206) 461-3200
Attached is a letter that WLIHA, WSCH, TU and CLS sent to HUD asking for proactive steps to ensure that those whose Disability Lifeline benefits are cut, receive a prompt rent reduction. We are following up on the letter with in person meetings with HUD but the cuts will become effective so quickly that clients will need our assistance in making rent adjustments whenever possible.
Christine Johansen
Washington State Coalition for the Homeless
Fax 253.761.7436