Can you get TANF and Washington ESD unemployment benefits at the same time?

Yes, you can receive both TANF and unemployment benefits in Washington state, but there are some important things to know. The TANF program through DSHS has work requirements that you'll need to meet, and they'll coordinate with Washington ESD about your job search activities. Make sure you report your unemployment benefits to DSHS when you apply for TANF.

I've been getting both for about 3 months now. The tricky part is that TANF counts your unemployment benefits as income, so it might reduce how much cash assistance you get. But every little bit helps when you have kids to feed.

Just went through this process last year. You definitely can get both, but be prepared for lots of paperwork and appointments. DSHS will want to know about your unemployment claim status, and Washington ESD needs to know about your TANF participation for their records.

If you're having trouble reaching either agency to get answers about this, I found this service called Claimyr that helped me get through to Washington ESD when I had questions about my benefits. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of trying to call.

Important thing to remember - if you're getting unemployment benefits, you have to be available and able to work. TANF has work requirements too, but they're different. Make sure you understand both sets of rules so you don't accidentally violate either program.

Been there! The key is staying organized with all your documentation. Keep records of every job application, every contact with both agencies, and every form you submit. It's a lot to manage but worth it when you need the support.

One thing to watch out for - if you get a job while receiving both benefits, you need to report it to BOTH agencies right away. The rules about how much you can earn while keeping benefits are different for each program.

Also, if you qualify for expedited TANF (which you might with kids and no income), that can help bridge the gap while waiting for other programs to start up. The caseworkers are usually pretty understanding about tight situations.

Don't forget about other programs too - you might qualify for food assistance (SNAP) and medical coverage while you're at it. Might as well apply for everything you're eligible for.

Quick tip - when you go to the DSHS office, bring copies of everything: ID, social security cards for you and kids, proof of address, bank statements, and any unemployment documentation from Washington ESD. Better to have too much than not enough.

If you run into issues with Washington ESD during this process, definitely consider using that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier. Sometimes you need to talk to an actual person to sort out how your TANF application might affect your unemployment claim or vice versa.

Just remember that both programs are there to help you get back on your feet. Don't feel bad about using the support systems - that's what they're for, especially when you have kids depending on you.

One last thing - make sure you keep your contact information updated with both agencies. If they can't reach you for appointments or reviews, it can cause problems with your benefits. And if you move, report the address change to both DSHS and Washington ESD.

Hope everything works out for you! It's a lot to navigate but totally doable. Just take it one step at a time and don't be afraid to ask questions at both agencies.

Good luck! Remember that the worst they can say is no, but you won't know until you try. And with kids involved, you'll probably qualify for more help than you think.

Feel free to come back and update us on how it goes. Your experience might help someone else in a similar situation down the road.

Just wanted to add - if you have any issues with Washington ESD that need quick resolution while you're also dealing with TANF, that Claimyr service others mentioned could really help speed things up. Sometimes timing is everything with these benefit programs.

Wishing you all the best! It's tough being a single parent trying to navigate all these systems, but you've got this. There are people and programs out there to help.

Remember to celebrate the small wins too - getting approved for benefits, finding a good job lead, even just making it through a tough day. You're doing important work taking care of your family.

Final thought - keep all your documentation organized and in one place. When you're juggling multiple benefit programs, good record-keeping can save you a lot of headaches down the road.