Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 10-08-009.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: The department is proposing amendments to WAC 388-450-0195 Utility allowances for Basic Food programs.

     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://www.dshs.wa.gov/msa/rpau/docket.html or by calling (360) 664-6094), on August 24, 2010, at 10:00 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: No earlier than August 25, 2010.

     Submit Written Comments to: DSHS Rules Coordinator, 1115 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, delivery 1115 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, e-mail DSHSRPAURulesCoordinator@dshs.wa.gov, fax (360) 664-6185, by 5 p.m. on August 24, 2010.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Jennisha Johnson, DSHS rules consultant, by August 10, 2010, TTY (360) 664-6178 or (360) 664-6094 or by e-mail at jennisha.johnson@dshs.wa.gov.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The department is proposing to amend WAC 388-450-0195 relating to the standard utility allowance (SUA) used when determining eligibility and benefit levels for Basic Food and WASHCAP.

     This standard, which must be updated annually as required under Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations § 273.9 (d)(6)(3). Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has approved the new standards to be used from October 1, 2010, through September 30, 2011. The same SUA standard will be made available to all households regardless of the number of persons in the household.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), FNS enforces the provisions of the federal supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) as enacted in the 2008 Food and Nutrition Act and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations. As required by the federal regulations for SNAP, the department has proposed a standard utility allowance based on residential utility costs in Washington to be used when determining eligibility and benefit levels for Basic Food and WASHCAP. The USDA FNS has approved the use of this utility standard for federal fiscal year 2011 which covers October 2010 through September 2011.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120, and 74.08A.903.

     Statute Being Implemented: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120, and 74.08A.903.

     Rule is necessary because of federal law, 7 C.F.R. § 273.9.

     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 98504, (360) 725-4616.

     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 modifying the SUA used in determining benefits for WASHCAP and Basic Food.

     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."

July 16, 2010

Katherine I. Vasquez

Rules Coordinator

     (2) We considered the average cost of the following utilities to determine the value of the SUA:

     (a) Heating ((or)) and cooling fuel such as electricity, oil, or gas;

     (b) Electricity ((or gas));

     (c) Water ((or)) and sewer;

     (d) Well or septic tank installation/maintenance;

     (e) Garbage/trash collection; and

     (f) Telephone service.

     (((2))) (3) The department uses the ((amounts below if you have utility costs separate from your rent or mortgage payment. We add your utility allowance to your rent or mortgage payment to determine your total shelter costs. We use total shelter costs to determine your Basic Food benefits)) SUA if you have utility costs separate from your rent or mortgage payment or if you receive a low income home energy assistance program (LIHEAP) benefit during the year.

     (((a) If you have heating or cooling costs or receive a low income home energy assistance program (LIHEAP) benefit during the year you get a standard utility allowance (SUA) that depends on your assistance unit's size.))

((Assistance Unit (AU) Size))	((Utility Allowance))
((1))	(($352))
((2))	(($362))
((3))	(($373))
((4))	(($384))
((5))	(($394))
((6 or more))	(($405))

     (((b) If your AU does not qualify for the SUA and you have any two utility costs listed above, you get a limited utility allowance (LUA) of two hundred seventy-six dollars.

     (c) If your AU has only telephone costs and no other utility costs, you get a telephone utility allowance (TUA) of forty-two dollars.))

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.005, 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, and 7 C.F.R. 273.9. 09-24-001, § 388-450-0195, filed 11/18/09, effective 12/19/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, and 7 C.F.R. 273.9. 08-21-106, § 388-450-0195, filed 10/16/08, effective 11/16/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510 and 7 C.F.R. § 273.9. 07-22-036, § 388-450-0195, filed 10/30/07, effective 11/30/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090 and 7 C.F.R. 273.9 (d)(6)(iii)(b). 06-21-011, § 388-450-0195, filed 10/6/06, effective 11/6/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090. 06-10-056, § 388-450-0195, filed 5/1/06, effective 6/1/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, and 7 C.F.R. § 273.9. 05-19-062, § 388-450-0195, filed 9/16/05, effective 10/17/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090. 05-09-087, § 388-450-0195, filed 4/19/05, effective 6/1/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057. 04-23-025, § 388-450-0195, filed 11/8/04, effective 12/9/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510. 03-21-030, § 388-450-0195, filed 10/7/03, effective 12/1/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090. 02-22-045, § 388-450-0195, filed 10/30/02, effective 12/1/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.057, 74.04.500, 74.04.510. 01-21-059, § 388-450-0195, filed 10/16/01, effective 12/1/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.510. 00-22-065, § 388-450-0195, filed 10/27/00, effective 11/1/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.040.510 [74.04.510]. 99-24-052, § 388-450-0195, filed 11/29/99, effective 12/1/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.510. 99-09-055, § 388-450-0195, filed 4/19/99, effective 5/20/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.510 and 7 CFR 273.9 (d)(6). 99-01-069, § 388-450-0195, filed 12/14/98, effective 1/14/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-450-0195, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.]

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