Purpose: To amend WAC 388-406-0055 When do my benefits start?, 388-416-0005 How long can I get Basic Food?, and 388-418-0005 How will I know what changes I must report? In addition, to create new WAC 388-489-0005 Who is eligible for transitional food assistance?, 388-489-0010 How is my transitional food assistance benefit calculated?, 388-489-0015 How long will my family receive transitional food assistance?, 388-489-0020 Am I required to report changes in my household's circumstances while on transitional food assistance?, and 388-489-0025 Can my transitional food assistance benefits end before the end of my five-month transition period? These rule changes are needed to establish eligibility for the transitional food assistance (TFA) program for families that leave temporary assistance for needy families (TANF), state family assistance (SFA), and tribal TANF programs. The rules also establish the interaction between TFA and other food programs administered by the department under the food stamp program.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 388-406-0055, 388-416-0005, and 388-418-0005.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, and 74.08A.010.

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 05-16-054 on July 28, 2005.

     Changes Other than Editing from Proposed to Adopted Version: None. Only editorial changes have been made to the proposed version.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 5, Amended 3, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 5, Amended 3, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: September 12, 2005.

Andy Fernando, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit

     (1) Cash assistance, your benefits start:

     (a) The date we have enough information to make an eligibility decision; or

     (b) No later than the thirtieth day for TANF, SFA, or RCA; or

     (c) No later than the forty-fifth day for general assistance (GAU).

     (2) Basic Food, your benefits start from the date you applied unless:

     (a) You are recertified for Basic Food. If you are recertified for Basic Food, we determine the date your benefits start under WAC 388-434-0010;

     (b) You applied for Basic Food while living in an institution. If you apply for Basic Food while living in an institution, the date you are released from the institution determines your start date as follows. If you are expected to leave the institution:

     (i) Within thirty days of the date we receive your application, your benefits start on the date you leave the institution; or

     (ii) More than thirty days from the date we receive your application, we deny your application for Basic Food. You may apply for Basic Food again when your date of release from the institution is closer.

     (c) We were unable to process your application within thirty days because of a delay on your part. If you caused the delay, but submit required verification by the end of the second thirty-day period, we approve your benefits starting the first day of the month following the month you applied for benefits. We start your benefits from this date even if we denied your application for Basic Food.

     (d) We initially denied your application for Basic Food and your assistance unit (AU) becomes categorically eligible (CE) within sixty days from the date your applied. If your AU becoming CE under WAC 388-414-0001 makes you eligible for Basic Food, the date we approve Basic Food is the date your AU became CE.

     (e) You are approved for Transitional Food Assistance under chapter 388-489 WAC. We determine the date transitional benefits start as described under WAC 388-489-0015.

     (f) You receive Transitional Food Assistance with people you used to live with, and are now approved to receive Basic Food in a different assistance unit:

     (i) We must give the other assistance unit ten days notice as described under WAC 388-458-0025 before we remove you from the Transitional Food Assistance benefits.

     (ii) Your Basic Food benefits start the first of the month after we remove you from the transitional benefits. For example, if we remove you from transitional benefits on November 30th, you are eligible for Basic Food on December 1st.

     (3) Medical assistance, the date your benefits start is stated in chapter 388-416 WAC.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510. 03-22-039, § 388-406-0055, filed 10/28/03, effective 12/1/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, and 74.08.090. 02-14-023, § 388-406-0055, filed 6/21/02, effective 7/1/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-406-0055, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.]

     Reviser's note: The typographical error in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.3580.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 05-08-124, filed 4/5/05, effective 6/1/05)

WAC 388-416-0005   How long can I get Basic Food?   (1) The length of time the department determines your assistance unit (AU) is eligible to get Basic Food is called a certification period. The department may certify your AU for up to:

     (a) Six months if your AU:

     (i) Includes an able-bodied adult without dependents (ABAWD) who receives Basic Food in your AU and your AU does not live in an exempt area as described in WAC 388-444-0030;

     (ii) Includes a person who receives ADATSA benefits as described in chapter 388-800 WAC;

     (iii) Is considered homeless under WAC 388-408-0050; or

     (iv) Includes a migrant or seasonal farmworker as described under WAC 388-406-0021.

     (b) Twenty-four months if all adults in your AU are elderly persons or individuals with disabilities and no one in your AU has earned income.

     (c) Twelve months if your AU does not meet any of the conditions for six or twenty-four months.

     (2) If you receive Transitional Food Assistance, we set your certification period as described under WAC 388-489-0015.

     (3) If your AU is homeless or includes an ABAWD when you live in a nonexempt area, we may shorten your certification period.

     (((3))) (4) We terminate your Basic Food benefits when:

     (a) We get proof of a change that makes your AU ineligible; or

     (b) We get information that your AU is ineligible; and

     (c) You do not provide needed information to verify your AU's circumstances.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090. 05-08-124, § 388-416-0005, filed 4/5/05, effective 6/1/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, and 2004 c 54. 04-19-134, § 388-416-0005, filed 9/21/04, effective 10/1/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510. 03-22-039, § 388-416-0005, filed 10/28/03, effective 12/1/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.04.510. 01-11-107, § 388-416-0005, filed 5/21/01, effective 7/1/01; 99-16-024, § 388-416-0005, filed 7/26/99, effective 9/1/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-416-0005, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.]

     For example:

     If you receive Long Term Care and Basic Food benefits, you tell us about changes based on the Long Term Care requirements because it is the first program in the list below you receive benefits from.

     (1) If you receive Long Term Care benefits such as Basic, Basic Plus, Chore, Community Protection, COPES, nursing home, Hospice, or Medically Needy Waiver, you must tell us if you have a change of:

     (a) Address;

     (b) Marital status;

     (c) Living arrangement;

     (d) Income;

     (e) Resources;

     (f) Medical expenses; and

     (g) If we allow you expenses for your spouse or dependents, you must report changes in their income or shelter cost.

     (2) If you receive medical benefits based on age, blindness, or disability (SSI-related medical), or ADATSA benefits, you need to tell us if:

     (a) You move;

     (b) A family member moves into or out of your home;

     (c) Your resources change; or

     (d) Your income changes. This includes the income of you, your spouse or your child living with you.

     (3) If you receive Basic Food and all adults in your assistance unit are elderly persons or individuals with disabilities and have no earned income, you need to tell us if:

     (a) You move;

     (b) You start getting money from a new source;

     (c) Your income changes by more than fifty dollars;

     (d) Your liquid resources, such as your cash on hand or bank accounts, are more than two thousand dollars; or

     (e) Someone moves into or out of your home.

     (4) If you receive cash benefits, you need to tell us if:

     (a) You move;

     (b) Someone moves out of your home;

     (c) Your total gross monthly income goes over the:

     (i) Payment standard under WAC 388-478-0030 if you receive general assistance; or

     (ii) Earned income limit under WAC 388-478-0035 and 388-450-0165 for all other programs;

     (d) You have liquid resources more than four thousand dollars; or

     (e) You have a change in employment. Tell us if you:

     (i) Get a job or change employers;

     (ii) Change from part-time to full-time or full-time to part-time;

     (iii) Have a change in your hourly wage rate or salary; or

     (iv) Stop working.

     (5) If you receive Family Medical benefits, you need to tell us if:

     (a) You move;

     (b) A family member moves out of your home; or

     (c) If your income goes up or down by one hundred dollars or more a month and you expect this income change will continue for at least two months.

     (6) ((If you receive Children's Medical benefits, you need to tell us if:

     (a) You move; or

     (b) A family member moves out of the house.

     (7))) If you receive Basic Food benefits, you need to tell us if:

     (a) You move;

     (b) Your total gross monthly income is more than the gross monthly income limit under WAC 388-478-0060; or

     (c) Anyone who receives food benefits in your assistance unit must meet work requirements under WAC 388-444-0030 and their hours at work go below twenty hours per week.

     (7) If you receive Children's Medical benefits, you need to tell us if:

     (a) You move; or

     (b) A family member moves out of the house.

     (8) If you receive Pregnancy Medical benefits, you need to tell us if:

     (a) You move; or

     (b) You are no longer pregnant.

     (9) If you receive other medical benefits, you need to tell us if:

     (a) You move; or

     (b) A family member moves out of the home.

     (10) If you receive Transitional Food Assistance, you do not have to report any changes in your circumstances.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 44.04.280. 05-09-021, § 388-418-0005, filed 4/12/05, effective 6/1/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, and 2004 c 54. 04-21-026, § 388-418-0005, filed 10/13/04, effective 11/13/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510. 04-06-026, § 388-418-0005, filed 2/23/04, effective 3/25/04; 03-21-028, § 388-418-0005, filed 10/7/03, effective 11/1/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.04.510. 01-11-109, § 388-418-0005, filed 5/21/01, effective 7/1/01; 99-23-034, § 388-418-0005, filed 11/10/99, effective 1/1/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-418-0005, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.]

     (1) Your family was receiving Basic Food at the time we determined you were no longer eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families;

     (2) After your family stops receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, no other member of your Basic Food assistance unit continues to receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families;

     (3) Your family did not move out of the State of Washington (WAC 388-468-0005);

     (4) Your family was not in sanction status at the time your Temporary Assistance for Needy Families grant ended. Sanction status means:

     (a) We reduced or stopped your family's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families grant payment because a family member is not:

     (i) Meeting WorkFirst Program requirements (WAC 388-310-1600); or

     (ii) Cooperating with the Division of Child Support (WAC 388-422-0100); or

     (b) We decided that a member of your family was not eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families because the member:

     (i) Failed to meet teen parent living arrangement (WAC 388-486-0005) or teen parent school attendance requirements (WAC 388-410-0010; or

     (ii) Was convicted of unlawful practices (WAC 388-446-0005) or for receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families in two or more states at the same time (WAC 388-446-0010); or

     (c) If you are receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits from a tribal program, your family's grant is reduced or stopped for a reason that is the same as one of the reasons listed in (4)(a) or (4)(b) of this section.

     (5) At the time your family's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families grant ended, your Basic Food assistance unit did not become ineligible because:

     (a) You were applying for recertification of your Basic Food benefits and refused to cooperate with the application process; or

     (b) All members are ineligible for Basic Food for the reasons stated in WAC 388-489-0025(3).

     (6) There is no limit to the number of times your family may leave Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and receive Transitional Food Assistance.

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     Reviser's note: The typographical error in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.
NEW SECTION
WAC 388-489-0010   How is my Transitional Food Assistance benefit calculated?   (1) We base your Transitional Food Assistance benefit amount on the regular monthly benefit allotment issued to your Basic Food assistance unit for the last month your family received Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. We will not count your last Temporary Assistance for Needy Families grant payment when we calculate your Transitional Food Assistance benefit amount. For example:

     (a) If your Basic Food assistance unit's only income was Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the Transitional Food Assistance benefit will be the amount your household would have received if you had no income.

     (b) If your Basic Food benefit was calculated using Temporary Assistance for Needy Families plus income from another source, we will count only the income from the other source when calculating the Transitional Food Assistance amount.

     (2) We will adjust your Transitional Food Assistance benefits if:

     (a) Someone who gets Transitional Food Assistance with you leaves your assistance unit and is found eligible to receive Basic Food in another assistance unit. We will reduce your Transitional Food Assistance based on the number of persons who left your assistance unit and become eligible in another Basic Food assistance unit.

     (b) A change to the maximum allotment for Basic Food under WAC 388-478-0060 results in an increase in benefits for Basic Food assistance units.

     (c) You got an overpayment of Basic Food benefits and we need to adjust the amount we deduct from your monthly benefits to repay the overpayment as required in WAC 388-410-0033. This includes:

     (i) Starting a new monthly deduction;

     (ii) Changing the amount of the monthly deduction; and

     (iii) Ending the monthly deduction when the amount you owe has been paid off.

[]

     (1) If you stopped getting Temporary Assistance for Needy Families from the department, you are eligible for transitional benefits beginning the month after your family received their last grant.

     (2) If you stopped receiving Tribal TANF benefits, you are eligible for transitional benefits:

     (a) With the next monthly issuance after we update your case to show you no longer have Tribal TANF income, if the Tribal TANF end date is the end of the current month or the end of a prior month; or

     (b) On the first of the month following the Tribal TANF end date, if the Tribal TANF end date is the end of a future month.

     (3) If necessary, we will extend or shorten your Basic Food assistance unit's current certification period to match the five-month transition period.

     (4) You may choose to end your five-month transition period early by submitting an application for regular Basic Food under WAC 388-489-0020 or by asking us to terminate your benefits.

     (5) We send you a notice before the end of your five-month transition period so you can re-apply for regular Basic Food benefits and continue to receive benefits without interruption as described in WAC 388-434-0010.

     (6) We may terminate your Transitional Food Assistance early for the reasons stated in WAC 388-489-0025.

[]

     (2) If you receive benefits from another cash or medical assistance program, you must meet the reporting requirements for the other program as required by WAC 388-418-0005. Except for changes listed under WAC 388-489-0025, the changes you report for the other program will not affect your family's eligibility for Transitional Food Assistance.

     (3) If you family experiences a change in circumstances during your five-month transition period, and you think that you may be eligible for more food assistance, you may submit an application for the regular Basic Food program. Examples of such changes include the loss of income by a person who gets Transitional Food Assistance with you or adding a new person to your household.

     (a) If you submit a new application, we will determine your eligibility for Basic Food and allow you to choose if you want to remain on Transitional Food Assistance or receive regular Basic Food benefits.

     (b) If you choose to go back on Basic Food and are found eligible, we will start your new benefit amount on the first day of the month after we receive your application for Basic Food. If you have already received Transitional Food Assistance for this month and are eligible for more assistance on the Basic Food program, we will pay you the additional amount.

[]

     (1) Someone who gets Transitional Food Assistance with you applies and is approved for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families while still living in your home. You may reapply to have your eligibility for Basic Food determined;

     (2) We learn that you and your family are no longer residing in the State of Washington; or

     (3) All members of your household are eligible to get Basic Food for any of the following reasons:

     (a) Refusal to cooperate with Quality Assurance (WAC 388-464-0001);

     (b) Transfer of property to qualify for Basic Food assistance (WAC 388-488-0010);

     (c) Intentional Program Violation (WAC 388-466-0015 and WAC 388-446-0020);

     (d) Fleeing felon or violating a condition of probation or parole (WAC 388-442-0010);

     (e) Alien status (WAC 388-424-0020 and WAC 388-424-0025);

     (f) Employment and training requirements (WAC 388-444-0055 and WAC 388-444-0075);

     (g) Work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents (WAC 388-444-0030);

     (h) Student status (WAC 388-482-0005);

     (i) Living in an institution where residents are not eligible for Basic Food (WAC 388-408-0040); or

     (j) Deceased.

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