WSR 98-01-169

PROPOSED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES

(Economic Services Administration)

[Filed December 22, 1997, 4:21 p.m.]

Original Notice.

Exempt from preproposal statement of inquiry under RCW 34.05.310(4).

Title of Rule: WAC 388-250-1250 Standards of assistance--Need standards. The amount of money needed by a household to maintain a minimum standard of living.

Purpose: To update the need standard (the amount of money needed to meet basic, minimum needs) used to determine eligibility for various public assistance programs.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.04.050, 74.08.090.

Statute Being Implemented: RCW 74.04.200.

Summary: To update the need standard required by RCW 74.04.200.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: This information is needed by various public and private organizations to determine eligibility for various programs, services.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Tom Medina, P.O. Box 45480, Olympia, WA 98503, (360) 413-3103.

Name of Proponent: Department of Social and Health Services, governmental.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: Updates the need standards used to determine eligibility for various public assistance programs.

Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: Amends WAC 388-250-1250 by updating the need standards used to determine eligibility for various public assistance programs.

No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. This will not impact small business, it applies to public assistance recipients only.

RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to this rule adoption. RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to rules of the Department of Social and Health Services relating to client medical or financial eligibility.

Hearing Location: Lacey Government Center (behind Tokyo Bento Restaurant), 1009 College Street S.E., Room 104-B, Lacey, WA 98503, on January 27, 1998, at 10:00 a.m.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Paige Wall by January 16, 1998, phone (360) 902-7540, TTY (360) 902-8324, e-mail pwall@dshs.wa.gov.

Submit Written Comments to and Identify WAC Numbers: Paige Wall, Acting Rules Coordinator, Rules and Policies Assistance Unit, P.O. Box 45850, Olympia, WA 98504-5850, FAX (360) 902-8292, by January 27, 1998.

Date of Intended Adoption: No sooner than January 28, 1998.

December 22, 1997

Merry A. Kogut, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit

AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 97-01-001, filed 12/5/96, effective 1/5/97)

WAC 388-250-1250 Standards of assistance--Need standards. (1) ((Effective September 1, 1996, the department shall determine)) The statewide monthly need standard for a household with an obligation to pay shelter ((to be)) is:

Recipients Need

in Household Standard

1 $ ((788)) 795

2 ((996)) 1,005

3 ((1,233)) 1,244

4 ((1,450)) 1,463

5 ((1,670)) 1,686

6 ((1,896)) 1,914

7 ((2,190)) 2,210

8 ((2,424)) 2,446

9 ((2,662)) 2,686

10 or more ((2,893)) 2,919

(2) ((Effective September 1, 1996, the department shall determine)) The statewide monthly need standard for a household with shelter provided at no cost, except as described under WAC 388-250-1200, ((to be)) is:

Recipients Need

in Household Standard

1 $ ((481)) 478

2 ((608)) 605

3 ((752)) 749

4 ((884)) 880

5 ((1,019)) 1,014

6 ((1,157)) 1,152

7 ((1,336)) 1,330

8 ((1,478)) 1,472

9 ((1,624)) 1,617

10 or more ((1,764)) 1,757