WSR 99-11-072

PROPOSED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)

(WorkFirst Division)

[ Filed May 18, 1999, 2:26 p.m. ]

Original Notice.

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 98-19-124 on September 23, 1998.

Title of Rule: Adds new section on the reemploy Washington workers program, WAC 388-310-1850.

Purpose: The idea for the reemploy Washington workers (RWW) program came from the governor's office. The program will be part of WorkFirst and be administered by Employment Security Department (ESD) in the field. RWW provides rapid reemployment services to low-wage unemployment insurance claimants. This rule was cowritten by DSHS and ESD to comply with Governor Locke's Executive Order 97-02.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.04.050.

Statute Being Implemented: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.04.050.

Summary: Adds new section on the reemploy Washington workers program, written to comply with Governor Locke's Executive Order 97-02.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Sandy Jsames, WorkFirst Division, P.O. Box 45480, Olympia, WA 98504-5480, (360) 413-3239, e-mail jsamessm@dshs.wa.gov, fax (360) 413-3482.

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: Revises chapter and adds new section to bring chapter 388-310 WAC into compliance with Governor Locke's Executive Order 97-02.

Proposal does not change existing rules.

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

RCW 34.05.328 applies to this rule adoption. Although this rule meets the definition of a significant legislative rule, RCW 34.05.328 (5)(b)(vii) exempts DSHS rules that only apply 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 June 22, 1999, at 10:00 a.m.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Paige Wall by June 11, 1999, phone (360) 902-7540, TTY (360) 902-8324, e-mail pwall@dshs.wa.gov.

Submit Written Comments to: Identify WAC Numbers, Paige Wall, Rules Coordinator, Rules and Policies Assistance Unit, P.O. Box 45850, Olympia, WA 98504-5850, fax (360) 902-8292, by June 22, 1999.

Date of Intended Adoption: No sooner than June 23, 1999.

May 14, 1999

Marie Myerchin-Redifer, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit

2571.1
NEW SECTION
WAC 388-310-1850
Re-employ Washington workers (RWW).

(1) What is the re-employ Washington workers (RWW) program?

Re-employ Washington workers (RWW) is an eight-week job search program administered by the employment security department to help low-income parents connect with jobs as rapidly as possible. RWW participation satisfies unemployment insurance work search requirements while providing additional services and activities.

(2) Who can participate in RWW?

You can participate in RWW if you:

(a) Worked and earned enough to establish an unemployment insurance benefit claim (see RCW 50.04.030), regardless of why your job ended; and

(b) Did not earn more than one hundred seventy-five percent of the federal poverty level during the time period on which your unemployment insurance claim is based; and

(c) Do not currently receive TANF or SFA cash assistance; and

(d) Have a dependent child under eighteen years of age living in your household.

(3) How do I get into RWW?

To get into RWW, you must apply for unemployment insurance and establish an unemployment insurance benefit claim. A job service specialist who has been trained to do the RWW program will screen your claim and contact you if it appears that you qualify. The RWW job service specialist will then determine your eligibility based on additional income and family information you provide.

(4) What happens when I participate in RWW?

(a) In addition to any unemployment insurance benefits you receive, you also get:

(i) Intensive job referral services (including a thirty-hour, job search workshop within the first four weeks of participation, and access to the resource room);

(ii) Help with paying your child care costs under the working connections child care program (see chapter 388-290 WAC for program rules);

(iii) Support services to help you participate in work and RWW activities, following the guidelines in WAC 388-310-0800.

(b) You may also qualify for cash incentives if you meet the following requirements:

(i) You participate in the RWW program; and

(ii) Go to work within six weeks; and

(iii) Are still working twelve weeks later in a job that takes you off unemployment insurance.

(5) How much of a cash incentive can I receive?

If you return to work with earnings high enough to make you ineligible for unemployment insurance benefits, you can receive an RWW cash incentive once during the time period your unemployment insurance claim is based on. Earnings are calculated in accordance with the unemployment insurance laws in RCW 50.04.320. The cash incentives are as follows:


CASH INCENTIVES
Average gross weekly earningsEmployed within four weeksEmployed in week five or sixEmployed in week seven or eight
At or above earnings from your last job*$300$100N/A**
Below the earnings from your last job*$200$100N/A**
*"Last job" means your most recent job that meets the definition of work in WAC 388-310-0400(2)(a).

**Although you do not qualify for a cash incentive, you would continue to receive support services and child care assistance provided you continue to participate.


(6) What are the requirements to participate in RWW?

To be eligible for RWW program benefits, you must participate in RWW program activities, including:

(a) Attend a thirty-hour job search workshop as soon as possible (during your first four weeks in the program);

(b) Report to the RWW program site daily during the first four weeks and sign-in to get job leads;

(c) Meet with fellow job seekers to support and encourage each members’ job search efforts (sometimes called the RWW job club);

(d) Report to the RWW program site at least twice a week during weeks five to eight and sign-in to receive job leads.

(7) Can I continue to participate in RWW if I don’t find a job in eight weeks?

Your participation in RWW may be extended for an additional eight weeks if:

(a) You meet the participation requirements and

(b) RWW staff determine that an additional eight weeks of participation is likely to help you find a job.

(8) Can my RWW services be stopped once I enter the program?

If you do not follow RWW program requirements, RWW services will be stopped.

(9) What can I do if I disagree with a decision about my services or benefits?

If you disagree with the decision about your RWW services or benefits:

(a) Ask an RWW job service specialist to take a statement from you explaining the reason you disagree.

(b) To determine if the decision was correct, the employment security department local job service center management will review your statement.

(c) If you disagree with the local management decision, you may request a final review by the employment security department regional office.

(10) Can I go back into the RWW program if there were interruptions in my participation?

RWW job search is designed to last for eight consecutive weeks. If you stopped participating but you are now able and willing to participate, you may complete the balance of your eight-week job search activities and receive the related RWW services and benefits.

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