Date of Adoption: March 26, 2003.

     Purpose: These amendments change income standards to reflect the new federal poverty level (FPL). Federal poverty guidelines are updated annually in the Federal Register by the United States Department of Health and Human Services under Section 673(2) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (42 U.S.C. 9902(2)).

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 388-478-0085.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.050 [74.04.050], 74.04.057, 74.08.090, and 74.09.530.

     Other Authority: 42 U.S.C. 9902(2).

     Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that state or federal law or federal rule or a federal deadline for state receipt of federal funds requires immediate adoption of a rule.

     Reasons for this Finding: The increase in the FPL must be effective April 1, 2003, to comply with federal requirements.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.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: April 1, 2003.

March 26, 2003

Brian H. Lindgren, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit

(a) One person	$((716)) 749
(b) Two persons	$((968)) 1010

     (2) The special low-income Medicare beneficiary (SLMB) program income standard is over one hundred percent of FPL, but under one hundred twenty percent of FPL. Beginning April 1, ((2001)) 2003, the SLMB program's income standards are:

	Minimum	Maximum
(a) One person	$((716.01)) 749.01	$((859)) 898
(b) Two persons	$((968.01)) 1010.01	$((1161)) 1212

     (3) The ((expanded special low-income Medicare beneficiary (ESLMB))) qualified individual (QI-1) program income standard is over one hundred twenty percent of FPL, but under one hundred thirty-five percent of FPL. Beginning April 1, ((2001)) 2003, the ESLMB program's income standards are:

	Minimum	Maximum
(a) One person	$((859.01)) 898.01	$((967)) 1011
(b) Two persons	$((1161.01)) 1212.01	$((1307)) 1364

     (4) The qualified disabled working individual (QDWI) program income standard is up to two hundred percent of FPL. Beginning April 1, ((2001)) 2003, the QDWI program's income standards are:

(a) One person	$((1432)) 1497
(b) Two persons	$((1935)) 2020

     (5) ((The qualified individual (QI) program income standard is over one hundred thirty-five percent of FPL, but under one hundred seventy-five percent of FPL. Beginning April 1, 2001, the QI program's income standards are:

	Minimum	Maximum
(a) One person	$967.01	$1253
(b) Two persons	$1307.01	$1694

     (6))) The resource standard for the Medicare ((cost sharing)) savings programs in this section is:

(a) One person	$4000
(b) Two persons	$6000

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.09.530, and Section 673(2) (42 U.S.C. 9902(2)). 01-18-056, § 388-478-0085, filed 8/30/01, effective 9/30/01; 00-17-085, § 388-478-0085, filed 8/14/00, effective 9/14/00; 99-19-005, § 388-478-0085, filed 9/3/99, effective 10/4/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-478-0085, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98. Formerly WAC 388-517-1715, 388-517-1730, 388-517-1750 and 388-517-1770.]

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