For the purposes of this chapter, unless the context indicates otherwise, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) "Aged, blind, and [or] disabled assistance program" means the program established under RCW 74.62.030.

(2) "Department" means the department of social and health services.

(3) "Director" or "secretary" means the secretary of social and health services.

(4) "Essential needs and housing support program" means the program established under RCW 43.185C.220.

(5) "Essential needs support" means personal health and hygiene items, cleaning supplies, other necessary items and transportation passes or tokens provided through an essential needs support entity established under RCW 43.185C.220.

(6) "Housing support" means assistance provided by a designated housing support entity established under RCW 43.185C.220 to maintain existing housing when the client is at substantial risk of becoming homeless, to obtain housing, or to obtain heat, electricity, natural gas, sewer, garbage, and water services when the client is at substantial risk of losing these services.

(7) "Pregnant women assistance program" means the program established under RCW 74.62.030.

(8) In the construction of words and phrases used in this chapter, the singular number shall include the plural, the masculine gender shall include both the feminine and neuter genders, and the present tense shall include the past and future tenses, unless the context thereof shall clearly indicate to the contrary.

Effective date—2011 1st sp.s. c 36: See note following RCW 74.62.005.