GAU Eligibility Information 

In general, to be eligible for the General Assistance- Unemployable (GAU) program, a person needs to meet the financial requirements and have a medical disability that prevents someone from working for at least three (3) months.  To find out about medical eligibility, please go to the Department's medical eligibility webpage:  http://hrsa.dshs.wa.gov/eligibility/index.html 

For specifics on how workers determine if the disability qualifies for GAU, please go to the social service manual, under Incapacity Determination Process and also Progressive Evaluation Process: http://www..dshs.wa.gov/manuals/socialservices/ 

To be enrolled in GAU Managed Care, a client is:

1. Made eligible for GAU and is given a medical award letter. 
2. Issued a Services Card (see Client Information For GAU Managed Care Clients) that is sent to the client within a few days.  This ID card can be used with any providers who accept payment from DSHS until the client is enrolled into Community Health Plan (CHP), in most cases in the second month of approval for GAU.
3. After enrollment into CHP, clients will then just use CHP providers.  Clients need to call CHP at 1-800-440-1561  or visit their website at http://www.chpw.org/en/index.php as soon as they are approved for GAU to pick a primary care provider (PCP) and clinic that will provide all medical care or refer for care.   An enrolled client can only go to providers who contract with CHP.
4. Clients approved for GAU will be enrolled in managed care in all 39 counties in Washington.

CHANGES IN ELIGIBILITY OR RESIDENCE:

If a client changes eligibility status by approval for GAX  ( General Assistance Expedited Disability) for facilitation for SSI or SSA Disability, or moves out of the state, the client will be disenrolled from managed care the following month.  GAX clients will be eligible for Medicaid on a fee for service basis and will need to find a physician that will accept DSHS medical assistance.  Clients converted to GAU from another program or due to their immigration status will be enrolled in CHP managed care.

For comments or questions regarding GAU, email contact us