PDFWAC 388-460-0010

Do I have an authorized representative for basic food if I live in a treatment center or group home?

(1) If you live in a qualified developmental disabilities administration (DDA) group home under WAC 388-408-0040, you may choose to apply for basic food benefits:
(a) On your own behalf;
(b) Through an authorized representative of your choice; or
(c) Through the DDA group home acting as your authorized representative.
(2) If you live in a qualified drug and alcohol treatment center under WAC 388-408-0040, a designated treatment center employee may apply for your basic food benefits, and the center will act as your authorized representative.
(3) When the qualified drug and alcohol treatment center or qualified DDA group home is your authorized representative, it must:
(a) Be aware of your circumstances;
(b) Notify the department of any changes in your income, resources, or circumstances within ten days of the change;
(c) Use your basic food benefits for meals served to you; and
(d) Give you a change in circumstances report form, when the center or group home learns you plan to leave, and advise you to report any changes as required under WAC 388-418-0005 to the department within ten days of the date of change.
(4) When a center or group home is an authorized representative for residents, the facility accepts responsibility for:
(a) Any misrepresentation or intentional program violation; and
(b) Liability for basic food benefits held at the facility on behalf of residents.
(5) When you leave a facility and the treatment center or group home is your authorized representative, it must:
(a) Account for any benefits withdrawn;
(b) Return your basic food allotment as follows:
(i) Return all of your basic food allotment if you leave the center or group home and no benefits have been spent on your behalf;
(ii) Return one-half of your basic food allotment if you leave the center or group home on or before the fifteenth of the month; or
(iii) Return a prorated amount of your basic food allotment based on the number of days remaining in the month if you leave a qualified drug and alcohol treatment center on or after the sixteenth of the month;
(c) Notify the department that the facility is unable to refund your prorated share any time during the month;
(d) Notify the department of your change in address and other change of circumstances and that the facility is no longer your authorized representative; and
(i) Provide you with your electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card if the facility was in possession of the card; or
(ii) Return your EBT card to the department by the end of the month if they are unable to provide it to you.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.08A.120, and 7 C.F.R. 273.11 (e) and (f). WSR 20-14-089, § 388-460-0010, filed 6/30/20, effective 7/31/20; WSR 19-03-037, § 388-460-0010, filed 1/7/19, effective 2/7/19. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.500, 74.04.510, and 74.08A.120. WSR 15-16-022, § 388-460-0010, filed 7/24/15, effective 8/24/15. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510. WSR 03-22-038, § 388-460-0010, filed 10/28/03, effective 12/1/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and S. 825, Public Law 104-193, Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. WSR 99-02-039, § 388-460-0010, filed 12/31/98, effective 1/31/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. WSR 98-16-044, § 388-460-0010, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.]