In carrying out the administrative responsibility of this chapter or other applicable law, the department or authority, as appropriate:

(1) May contract with an individual or a group, may utilize existing local state public assistance offices, or establish separate welfare medical care offices on a county or multicounty unit basis as found necessary; and

(2) Shall determine both financial and functional eligibility for persons applying for long-term care services under chapter 74.39 or 74.39A RCW as a unified process in a single long-term care organizational unit.

Findings—Intent—Effective date—2018 c 201: See notes following RCW 41.05.018.

Effective date—Findings—Intent—Report—Agency transfer—References to head of health care authority—Draft legislation—2011 1st sp.s. c 15: See notes following RCW 74.09.010.