There are over 50 Community Services Offices run by DSHS in Washington State where clients can access benefits, find out their eligibility and get help in person. What happens if you don’t live near one of these offices, don’t have transportation, or are elderly? A new program will come to you with all of the services you need.
One of two new mobile CSOs coming to a town near you
Here are the goals of the mobile CSO from the DSHS website:
Improve participation in the Basic Food Program by providing services at locations where DSHS representatives do not usually have a presence, including services at senior centers, job fairs, health fairs, migrant worker camps, and community events which will provide broader community outreach.
Strengthen Community Partnerships by expanding on existing community partnerships with social services organizations; state, local, and county agencies; and interested parties in the business community to create access points where people can apply for Basic Food, Cash and Medical benefits.
Operate as a response vehicle for disaster events where the Disaster Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program is activated. The Mobile CSOs will be used as a facility to accept applications in more severely impacted areas where power has not yet been restored. The Mobile CSOs may also be used as a support office to facilitate back-room processing of applications by staff working outside disaster areas.
Download the August calendar here to find out where the East Side CSO will turn up next!
