PROPOSED RULES
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 08-06-087.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: The department is amending WAC 388-406-0065 Can I still get benefits even after my application is denied?
Hearing Location(s): Blake Office Park East, Rose Room, 4500 10th Avenue S.E., Lacey, WA 98503 (one block north of the intersection of Pacific Avenue S.E. and Alhadeff Lane. A map or directions are available at http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/msa/rpau/docket.html or by calling (360) 664-6097), on June 10, 2008, at 10:00 a.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: Not earlier than June 11, 2008.
Submit Written Comments to: DSHS Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 45850, Olympia, WA 98504, delivery 4500 10th Avenue S.E., Lacey, WA 98503, e-mail schilse@dshs.wa.gov, fax (360) 664-6185, by 5:00 p.m. on June 10, 2008.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Jennisha Johnson, DSHS rules consultant, by June 3, 2008, TTY (360) 664-6178 or (360) 664-6094 or by e-mail at johnsjl4@dshs.wa.gov.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The current rule describes the circumstances where we will reconsider a denied application for benefits without requiring a new application. The proposed amendment strikes a section related to households who become categorically eligible for Basic Food within sixty days of the date we deny the household's application for Basic Food. The department currently provides categorical eligibility status to households with income up to 130%. Because no households with income over this limit will receive cash assistance, the section being removed from the rule is no longer relevant.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: The proposed changes are editorial in nature and do not change current policy related to reconsideration of denied applications.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Department of social and health services, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: John Camp, 712 Pear Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98503, (360) 725-4616.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. This proposed rule does not have an economic impact on small businesses; it only removes an outdated reference to the impact of categorical eligibility on applications denied for DSHS clients for food assistance programs.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. These amendments are exempt as allowed under RCW 34.05.328 (5)(b)(vii) which states in-part, "[t]his section does not apply to...rules of the department of social and health services relating only to client medical or financial eligibility and rules concerning liability for care of dependents."
April 24, 2008
Stephanie E. Schiller
Rules Coordinator
3969.2(a) For cash or medical assistance, you give us the information we need within thirty days from the date we denied your application;
(b) You stop participating as required to reopen cash assistance under WAC 388-310-1600(12) due to one of the good reasons described in WAC 388-310-1600(3) or because you get an excused absence, as described in WAC 388-310-0500(5);
(c) For Basic Food((:
(i) You give us the information we need within sixty days of the date you applied for benefits; or
(ii) You become categorically eligible for Basic Food under WAC 388-414-0001 within sixty days of the date you applied for benefits)), you give us the information we need within sixty days of the date you applied for benefits.
(2) For medical assistance, if the thirty days to reconsider your application under subsection (1) of this section has ended you can still get benefits without a new application if:
(a) You request a fair hearing timely; and
(b) You give us the information needed to determine eligibility and you are eligible.
(3) If you are eligible for cash or Basic Food, we decide the date your benefits start according to WAC 388-406-0055. If you are eligible for medical assistance, we decide the date your benefits start according to chapter 388-416 WAC. For all programs the eligibility date is based on the date of your original application that was denied.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, and chapter 74.08A RCW. 06-10-034, § 388-406-0065, filed 4/27/06, effective 6/1/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510. 03-22-039, § 388-406-0065, 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, § 388-406-0065, 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, § 388-406-0065, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98. Formerly WAC 388-504-0485.]