PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)
Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department plans to amend WAC 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, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, and 74.08A.010.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department is proposing to amend WAC 388-489-0025 to correct a typographical error in the current rule.
The amended rule will reflect that the department will terminate transitional food assistance (TFA) benefits early if all members of the TFA assistance unit are ineligible for Basic Food for the reasons currently specified in the rule.
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) enforces the provisions of the federal food stamp program as set forth under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, guidance provided by FNS, and the program requirements established in Title 7 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations.
The department adopts rules consistent with the federal laws, regulations, and guidance for the food stamp program for the Basic Food program, WASHCAP, and transitional food assistance programs in Washington.
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 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, Lead Policy Analyst, Community Services Division, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504-5470, phone (360) 725-4616, fax (360) 725-4905, e-mail Campjx@dshs.wa.gov.
August 18, 2008
Stephanie E. Schiller
Rules Coordinator