WSR 08-13-045

PROPOSED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)

[ Filed June 12, 2008, 10:30 a.m. ]

     Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 08-09-040.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: The department is amending WAC 388-478-0020 Payment standards for temporary assistance for needy families (TANF), state family assistance (SFA), general assistance - pregnancy (GA-S), general assistance - children with a legal guardian (GA-H) and refugee cash assistance (RCA) and 388-478-0035 Maximum earned income limits for TANF and SFA.

     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) 664-6094), on July 22, 2008, at 10:00 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: Not earlier than July 23, 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 RPAUDSHSRulesCoordinator@dshs.wa.gov, fax (360) 664-6185, by 5 p.m. on July 22, 2008.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Jennisha Johnson, DSHS rules consultant, by July 15, 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: These proposed rule changes are needed to revise the payment standards and the earned income limits for TANF, SFA and RCA.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: These WACs are being amended to increase payment standards to reflect the 3% increased [increase] authorized by section 207 (1)(e), chapter 329, Laws of 2008 (ESHB 2687).

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, and 74.08.090.

     Statute Being Implemented: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090 and section 207 (1)(e), chapter 329, Laws of 2008.

     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: Ian Horlor, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504-5470, (360) 725-4634.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. These proposed rules do not have an economic impact on small businesses. The proposed amendments only affect DSHS clients by defining what the payment standards are for TANF, SFA and RCA clients.

     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." These rules affect financial eligibility and payment amounts.

June 4, 2008

Stephanie E. Schiller

Rules Coordinator

3963.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 98-16-044, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98)

WAC 388-478-0020   Payment standards for TANF, SFA, ((GA-S, GA-H)) and RCA.   (1) The payment standards for temporary assistance for needy families (TANF), state family assistance (SFA), ((general assistance for pregnant women (GA-S), general assistance for children (GA-H))) and refugee cash assistance (RCA) assistance units with obligations to pay shelter costs are:


Assistance Unit Size Payment Standard Assistance Unit Size Payment Standard
1 $((349))

359

 6 $ ((841)) 866
2 ((440))

453

 7 ((971)) 1,000
3 ((546))

562

 8 ((1,075)) 1,107
4 ((642))

661

 9 ((1,180)) 1,215
5 ((740))

762

 10 or more ((1,283)) 1,321

     (2) The payment standards for TANF, SFA, ((GA-S, GA-H)) and RCA assistance units with shelter provided at no cost are:


Assistance Unit Size Payment Standard Assistance Unit Size Payment Standard
1 $((212))

218

 6 $ ((511))

526
2 ((268))

276

 7 ((591))

608
3 ((332))

341

 8 ((654))

673
4 ((391))

402

 9 ((718))

739
5 ((451))

464

 10 or more ((780))

803

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-478-0020, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98. Formerly WAC 388-507-0710.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 98-16-044, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98)

WAC 388-478-0035   Maximum earned income limits for TANF, ((and)) SFA and RCA.   To be eligible for temporary assistance for needy families (TANF), ((or)) state family assistance (SFA), or refugee cash assistance (RCA), a family's gross earned income must be below the following levels:


Number of Family Members Maximum Earned Income Level Number of Family Members Maximum Earned Income Level
1 $ ((698))

718

 6 $((1,682))

1,732
2 ((880))

906

 7 ((1,942))

2,000
3 ((1,092))

1,124

 8 ((2,150))

2,214
4 ((1,284))

1,322

 9 ((2,360))

2,430
5 ((1,480))

1,524

 10 or more ((2,566))

2,642

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-478-0035, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.]

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