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 WAC 388-450-0195 Utility allowances for Basic Food programs, and any related rules.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, and 74.08.090.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The amendments will adopt federal requirements related to eligibility for the limited utility allowance (LUA) for the food stamp program provided administered as the Washington Basic Food program. This allowance is used when determining a household's excess shelter deduction, which impacts a household's Basic Food benefits. These requirements are established under 7 C.F.R. 273.9 (d)(6)(iii)(A).
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) publishes federal regulations for the food stamp program in the federal register. Rules published in the federal register are incorporated into the United States Code of Federal Regulations. FNS also issues administrative notices to inform states of new program requirements that are not yet in the United States Code of Federal Regulations. DSHS incorporates these regulations and exercises state options by adopting administrative rules for Basic Food benefits in Washington state.
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.
November 29, 2004
Brian H. Lindgren, Manager
Rules and Policies Assistance Unit