WSR 05-12-134

PROPOSED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)

[ Filed June 1, 2005, 10:51 a.m. ]

     Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 03-03-007.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 388-424-0006 Citizenship and alien status -- Date of entry.

     Hearing Location(s): Blake Office Park East (behind Goodyear Courtesy Tire), Rose Room, 4500 10th Avenue S.E., Lacey, WA, on July 5, 2005, at 10:00 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: Not earlier than July 6, 2005.

     Submit Written Comments to: DSHS Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 45850, Olympia, WA 98504, delivery 4500 10th Avenue S.E., Lacey, WA, e-mail fernaax@dshs.wa.gov, fax (360) 664-6185, by 5:00 p.m., July 5, 2005.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Stephanie Schiller, DSHS Rules Consultant, by June 30, 2005, TTY (360) 664-6178 or (360) 664-6097.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The purpose of this rule change is to bring WAC 388-424-0006 into conformity with federal law, which does not allow Social Security work quarters to exempt aliens from the five year bar on TANF (temporary assistance for needy families), nonemergency Medicaid, and SCHIP (state children's health insurance program).

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: See above.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090.

     Statute Being Implemented: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090.

     Rule is necessary because of federal law, 8 U.S.C. 1613.

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

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Tom Berry, 1009 College S.E., Lacey, WA 98504, (360) 725-4617.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. This proposed rule does not have an economic impact on small businesses. It only affects DSHS clients by outlining the rules clients must meet in order to be eligible for the department's cash or medical assistance programs.

     A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. These amendments are exempt as allowed under RCW 34.05.328 (5)(b)(vii) which states in-part, "[t]his section does not apply to....rules of the department of social and health services relating only to client medical or financial eligibility and rules concerning liability for care of dependents."

May 25, 2005

Andy Fernando, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit

3548.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 04-15-004, filed 7/7/04, effective 8/7/04)

WAC 388-424-0006   Citizenship and alien status -- Date of entry.   (1) A person who physically entered the U.S. prior to August 22, 1996 and who continuously resided in the U.S. prior to becoming a "qualified alien" (as defined in WAC 388-424-0001) is not subject to the five-year bar on TANF, nonemergency Medicaid, and SCHIP.

     (2) A person who entered the U.S. prior to August 22, 1996 but became "qualified" on or after August 22, 1996, or who physically entered the U.S. on or after August 22, 1996 and who requires five years of residency to be eligible for federal Basic Food, can only count years of residence during which they were a "qualified alien."

     (3) A person who physically entered the U.S. on or after August 22, 1996 is subject to the five-year bar on TANF, nonemergency Medicaid, and SCHIP unless exempt. The five-year bar starts on the date that "qualified" status is obtained.

     (4) The following "qualified aliens," as defined in WAC 388-424-0001, are exempt from the five-year bar:

     (a) Amerasian lawful permanent residents;

     (b) Asylees;

     (c) Conditional entrants;

     (d) Cuban/Haitian entrants;

     (e) Persons granted withholding of deportation or removal;

     (f) Refugees;

     (g) Victims of trafficking who have been certified or had their eligibility approved by the office of refugee resettlement (ORR);

     (h) Lawful permanent residents, parolees, or battered aliens, as defined in WAC 388-424-0001, who are also an armed services member or veteran as described in WAC 388-424-0007 ((or who meet the work quarters requirement described in WAC 388-424-0008)).

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090. 04-15-004, § 388-424-0006, filed 7/7/04, effective 8/7/04.]

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