Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department is amending rules related to transitional food assistance in chapter 388-489 WAC and other rules having an impact on eligibility for transitional food assistance. This may include, but is not limited to, amending WAC 388-406-0055 When do my benefits start?, 388-408-0035 Who is in my assistance unit for Basic Food?, 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?

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.08A.010, Public Law 107-171.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Changes will be to amend department rules regarding which families who leave the temporary assistance for needy families (TANF), tribal TANF, or state family assistance are eligible to receive food stamp benefits through the transitional food assistance (TFA) program.

     The department is reviewing options selected in the initial implementation of TFA and plans to make adjustments to program eligibility and rules consistent with the TFA programs purpose of providing stable food benefits to families leaving the temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) or tribal TANF programs while receiving Basic Food.

     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 food assistance 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 a proposal 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) 493-3493, e-mail campjx@dshs.wa.gov.

November 4, 2005

Andy Fernando, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit