PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)
Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department plans to amend rules related under chapter 388-444 WAC related to the food stamp employment and training program. This may include amending the following sections and related rules: WAC 388-444-0005 The food stamp employment and training (FS E&T) program -- General requirements, 388-444-0010 Clients who are required to register for work and must participate in FS E&T, 388-444-0015 When are clients not required to register for work or participate in FS E&T (exempt clients)?, 388-444-0020 When must clients register for work but are not required to participate in the food stamp employment and training program (FS E&T)?, 388-444-0025 Payments for FS E&T related expenses, 388-444-0030 Work requirements for persons who are able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDS), 388-444-0035 When am I (able-bodied adult with no dependents) exempt from ABAWD provisions?, 388-444-0040 Work programs for ABAWDs in the food stamp employment and training program, 388-444-0045 Regaining eligibility for food assistance, 388-444-0050 Good cause for failure to register for work or for not participating in the FS E&T program, 388-444-0055 What are the penalties for refusing or failing to comply?, 388-444-0060 FS E&T -- Unsuitable employment, 388-444-0065 What happens if I quit my job?, 388-444-0070 Good cause for quitting a job?, and 388-444-0075 What are the disqualification periods for quitting a job without good cause?
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.075, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.08.090.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: These planned changes are to support expansion of the food stamp employment and training pilot project as approved by the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. The department will also amend rules to clarify department policy regarding program requirements and make rules consistent with federal requirements under 7 C.F.R. 273.7 Work provisions and 7 C.F.R. 273.24 Time limit for able-bodied adults. Rule changes proposed under this filing will be consistent with the food stamp employment and training state plan and federal regulations governing the food stamp employment and training program.
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 (C.F.R.). FNS also issues administrative notices and memos to inform states of program requirements that are not yet in C.F.R. as well as standards that are not formally adopted under the federal rule-making process. DSHS incorporates these regulations, federal standards, policy guidance, and exercises state options by implementing an approved state plan and adopting administrative [rules] for people who receive Basic Food 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 Nick Espinosa, Program Manager, Division of Employment and Assistance Programs, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504-5470, phone (360) 725-4620, fax (360) 493-3493, e-mail EspinCJ@dshs.wa.gov.
June 20, 2006
Andy Fernando, Manager
Rules and Policies Assistance Unit