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 the following sections and related rules to clarify department policy on reporting requirements and overpayments: WAC 388-416-0010 How long can I get Basic Food?, 388-418-0005 How will I know what changes I must report?, 388-418-0011 What is a six-month report, and do I have to complete one in order to keep getting benefits?, and 388-410-0001 What is a cash/medical assistance overpayment?
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.04.500, and 74.04.510.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The revisions are necessary to clarify department policy regarding the following topics:
| • | How often clients must complete a recertification for Basic Food; |
| • | What changes clients must report; |
| • | The requirements of the six-month report and the impact of completing the report late; and |
| • | When clients may have an overpayment for not reporting a change timely. |
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
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, Policy Analyst, Division of Employment and Assistance Programs, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504-5470, phone (360) 725-4616, fax (360) 413-3493, e-mail campjx@dshs.wa.gov.
October 15, 2004
Brian H. Lindgren, Manager
Rules and Policies Assistance Unit