Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 03-15-125.

     Title of Rule: WAC 388-478-0015 Need standards for cash assistance.

     Purpose: The DSHS Division of Employment and Assistance Programs is required by state law (RCW 74.04.770) to establish, on an annual basis, standards of need for cash assistance programs.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.08.090, 74.04.050, 74.04.055, and 74.04.057.

     Statute Being Implemented: RCW 74.04.770.

     Summary: These standards are based on studies of actual living costs for basic requirements. This proposal would implement the annual change in those actual living costs for basic requirements.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: To be in compliance with state law, RCW 74.04.770.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Patti Clark, 1009 College S.E., Lacey, WA 98504, (360) 413-3084.

     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: Rule: WAC 388-478-0015 Need standards for cash assistance.

     Purpose and Effect: See Purpose and Summary above.

     Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: See Purpose and Summary above.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. This proposed rule does not have an economic impact on small businesses, it only affects DSHS clients.

     RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to this rule adoption. This rule is exempt under RCW 34.05.328 (5)(b)(vii) which states in-part, "[t]his section does not apply to....rules of the Department of Social and Health Services relating only to client medical or financial eligibility and rules concerning liability for care of dependents." This proposed rule updates needs standards used to calculate financial eligibility for cash assistance.

     Hearing Location: Blake Office Park (behind Goodyear Courtesy Tire), 4500 10th Avenue S.E., Rose Room, Lacey, WA 98503, on October 21, 2003, at 10:00 a.m.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Andy Fernando, DSHS Rules Coordinator, by October 17, 2003, phone (360) 664-6094, TTY (360) 664-6178, e-mail FernAX@dshs.wa.gov.

     Submit Written Comments to: Identify WAC Numbers, DSHS Rules Coordinator, Rules and Policies Assistance Unit, mail to P.O. Box 45850, Olympia, WA 98504-5850, deliver to 4500 10th Avenue S.E., Lacey, WA, fax (360) 664-6185, e-mail fernaax@dshs.wa.gov, by 5:00 p.m., October 21, 2003.

     Date of Intended Adoption: Not earlier than October 22, 2003.

September 8, 2003

Brian H. Lindgren, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit

     (1) For assistance units with obligation to pay shelter costs:

Assistance Unit Size	Need Standard
1	$ ((944)) 1,036
2	((1,194)) 1,311
3	((1,474)) 1,619
4	((1,740)) 1,910
5	((2,005)) 2,202
6	((2,271)) 2,493
7	((2,624)) 2,881
8	((2,905)) 3,189
9	((3,185)) 3,497
10 or more	((3,465)) 3,804

     (2) For assistance units with shelter provided at no cost:

Assistance Unit Size	Need Standard
1	$ ((492)) 511
2	((623)) 647
3	((769)) 799
4	((907)) 943
5	((1,046)) 1,086
6	((1,184)) 1,230
7	((1,369)) 1,422
8	((1,515)) 1,574
9	((1,661)) 1,725
10 or more	((1,807)) 1,877

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.04.510, and 74.04.770. 02-23-029, § 388-478-0015, filed 11/12/02, effective 12/1/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, and 74.04.200. 01-11-108, § 388-478-0015, filed 5/21/01, effective 7/1/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.200. 99-04-056, § 388-478-0015, filed 1/29/99, effective 3/1/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-478-0015, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.]

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