PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)
Subject of Possible Rule Making: The Division of Employment and Assistance Programs will amend all necessary sections in Title 388 WAC to implement changes to the following standards for the Washington combined application program (WASHCAP) and the Washington basic food program: Income standard, maximum allotment, maximum shelter deduction standard, standard deduction, standard utility allowances, WASHCAP shelter cost standard, and WASHCAP opt-out standard.
These changes will include but are not limited to amendments to WAC 388-450-0185 Does the department count all of my income to determine my eligibility and benefits for food assistance?, 388-450-0190 How does the department figure my shelter cost income deduction for food assistance?, 388-450-0195 Utility allowances for food assistance programs, 388-478-0060 What are the income limits and maximum benefit amounts for food assistance?, 388-492-0040 Can I choose whether I get WASHCAP or regular food assistance?, and 388-492-0070 How are my Washington state combined applications program (WASHCAP) benefits calculated?
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, and 74.08.090, 7 C.F.R. 273.9 (d)(6).
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: These standards are required by federal regulations and approved department waivers. These standards must be adjusted annually in order to determine a client's eligibility and benefit level for WASHCAP or the Washington basic food program.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) annually adjusts income and payment standards, the standard deduction, and maximum shelter deductions for the upcoming federal fiscal year. FNS also requires that the department adjust the food stamp utility allowance and WASHCAP standards on an annual basis. DSHS adopts the new FNS standards into administrative rule. The department adjusts WASHCAP standards as required under the department's approved waiver based on changes to the consumer price index. The department determines the basic food standard utility allowance by applying the consumer price index to a utility market basket survey and adopting the new amounts under administrative rule.
Process for Developing New Rule: DSHS welcomes the public to take part in developing the rules. Anyone interested should contact the staff person identified below. At a later date, DSHS will file proposed rules with the Office of the Code Reviser with a notice of proposed rule making. A copy of the proposal will be sent to everyone on the mailing list and to anyone who requests a copy.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting John Camp, Program Manager, Division of Employment and Assistance Programs, Lacey Government Center, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504-4570, phone (360) 413-3232, fax (360) 413-3493, e-mail CAMPJX@DSHS.WA.GOV.
June 9, 2003
Brian H. Lindgren, Manager
Rules and Policies Assistance Unit