WSR 11-09-058

PROPOSED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Medicaid Purchasing Administration)

[ Filed April 18, 2011, 2:27 p.m. ]

     Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 10-22-120.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 388-406-0010 How do I apply for benefits?

     Hearing Location(s): Office Building 2, Auditorium, DSHS Headquarters, 1115 Washington, Olympia, WA 98504 (public parking at 11th and Jefferson. A map is available at http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/msa/rpau/RPAU-OB-2directions.html

or by calling (360) 664-6094), on May 24, 2011, at 10:00 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: Not sooner than May 25, 2011.

     Submit Written Comments to: DSHS Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 45850, Olympia, WA 98504-5850, delivery 1115 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, e-mail DSHSRPAURulesCoordinator@dshs.wa.gov, fax (360) 664-6185, by 5 p.m. on May 25, 2011.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Jennisha Johnson, DSHS rules consultant, by May 10, 2011, TTY (360) 664-6178 or (360) 664-6094 or by e-mail at jennisha.johnson@dshs.wa.gov.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The department is amending the rule to require only one signature on applications for medical assistance.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: Will make it easier for two-parent families to apply for medical assistance for their child(ren).

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

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

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

     Name of Proponent: Department of social and health services, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Kevin Sullivan, P.O. Box 45504, Olympia, WA 98504-5504, (360) 725-1344; Implementation and Enforcement: Dody McAlpine, P.O. Box 45534, Olympia, WA 98504-5534, (360) 725-9964.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. Does not impact small businesses.

     A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. Per RCW 34.05.328 (5)(b)(vii), client eligibility rules for medical assistance are exempt from the cost-benefit analysis requirement.

April 13, 2011

Katherine I. Vasquez

Rules Coordinator

4282.2
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 08-15-059, filed 7/14/08, effective 8/14/08)

WAC 388-406-0010   How do I apply for benefits?   (1) You can apply for cash assistance, medical assistance, or Basic Food by giving us an application form in person, by mail, by fax, or by completing an online application.

     (2) If your entire assistance unit (AU) gets or is applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), your AU can file an application for Basic Food at the local Social Security administration district office (SSADO).

     (3) If you are incapacitated, a dependent child, or cannot apply for benefits on your own for some other reason, a legal guardian, caretaker, or authorized representative can apply for you.

     (4) You can apply for cash assistance, medical assistance, or Basic Food with just one application form.

     (5) If you apply for benefits at a local office, we accept your application on the same day you come in. If you apply at an office that does not serve the area where you live, we send your application to the appropriate office by the next business day so that office receives your application on the same day we send it.

     (6) We accept your application for benefits if it has at least:

     (a) For cash and medical assistance combined, the name, address, and signatures of the responsible adult AU members or person applying for you. A minor child may sign if there is no adult in the AU. Signatures must be handwritten, electronic or digital as defined by the department, or a mark if witnessed by another person.

     (b) For medical assistance only, the name, address, and signature of the applicant ((and applicant's spouse or other responsible adult person in the household, if any. In the case of an application for children's medical with caretaker adults in the household, the signature of a caretaker adult member of the household)). If the application is for a child, it may be signed by an adult caretaker in the absence of a parent; or by the child in the absence of a parent or adult caretaker.

     (c) For Basic Food, the name, address, and signature of a responsible member of your AU or person applying for you as an authorized representative under WAC 388-460-0005.

     (7) As a part of the application process, we may require you to:

     (a) Complete an interview if one is required under WAC 388-452-0005;

     (b) Meet WorkFirst participation requirements for four weeks in a row if required under WAC 388-310-1600(12);

     (c) Give us the information we need to decide if you are eligible as required under WAC 388-406-0030; and

     (d) Give us proof of information as required under WAC 388-490-0005 so we can determine if you are eligible.

     (8) If you are eligible for necessary supplemental accommodation (NSA) services under chapter 388-472 WAC, we help you meet the requirements of this section.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090. 08-15-059, § 388-406-0010, filed 7/14/08, effective 8/14/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, and chapter 74.08A RCW. 06-10-034, § 388-406-0010, filed 4/27/06, effective 6/1/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510. 03-22-039, § 388-406-0010, filed 10/28/03, effective 12/1/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, and 74.08.090. 02-11-137, § 388-406-0010, filed 5/21/02, effective 7/1/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-406-0010, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98. Formerly WAC 388-504-0405.]

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