Date of Adoption: October 31, 2000.

Purpose: Specifies if a client or the client's representative meets certain hardship criteria then an alternative interview should be granted. This change should improve client service by incorporating existing procedure into rule.

Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 388-452-0005.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, and 74.09.530.

Adopted under notice filed as WSR 00-19-074 on September 19, 2000.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0. Effective Date of Rule: December 1, 2000.

October 31, 2000

Marie Myerchin-Redifer

Manager

(1) ((When the client's application or review is for a combination of cash, food, or medical programs the department requires only a single interview)) You will have only one interview when you apply for or have a review for cash or food assistance or both.

     (2) ((The client has an interview when they apply for or have an eligibility review for cash, food, or medical benefits. However, the client is)) You are not required to attend an interview when ((the client's)) your application or review is ((only)) just for medical benefits. ((When the client's)) If we deny your application for cash or food ((stamp eligibility is denied)) assistance because ((the client)) you did not appear for an interview, ((the department must)) we will continue to process ((the)) your request for medical benefits:

     (a) For a pregnant woman;

     (b) For a child under the age of nineteen;

     (c) For a family with children under the age of nineteen; or

     (d) When ((the department has)) we have enough information to determine ((eligibility or can obtain)) if you are eligible or can get the information by mail.

     (3) ((The client)) You or another person who can ((provide)) give information about ((the)) your assistance unit must attend the interview. ((The client)) You may bring another person to the interview. ((The client)) You may choose another person to ((attend)) go to the interview for ((them)) you when:

     (a) ((The client)) You cannot come to the local office for ((a cash or medical program eligibility determination)) us to decide if you are eligible for cash assistance; or

     (b) ((The client has)) You have an authorized representative as described in WAC ((388-462-0005)) 388-460-0005 for food assistance.

     (4) ((The department)) We usually ((holds the interview)) have interviews at the local office. ((The client may)) You can have a scheduled ((home visit or a)) telephone interview or an interview in your home if attending an interview at the local office causes a hardship for ((the client or the client's)) you or your representative. Examples of hardships include:

     (a) If your entire assistance unit is elderly or mentally or physically disabled;

     (b) If you live in a remote area or have transportation problems;

     (c) Severe weather;

     (d) If someone in your assistance unit (AU) is ill, or you have to stay home to care for an AU member;

     (e) Your work or training hours make it difficult to come into the office during regular business hours;

     (f) Someone in your AU is affected by family violence such as physical or mental abuse, harassment, or stalking by the abuser; or

     (g) Any other problem which would make it difficult for you to come into the office for an interview.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.530 and 42 C.F.R. 435.907.      99-11-075, § 388-452-0005, filed 5/18/99, effective 6/18/99.      Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090.      98-16-044, § 388-452-0005, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98. Formerly WAC 388-504-0420.]

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