Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department is proposing to amend WAC 388-482-0005 How does being a student impact my eligibility for the Washington Basic Food program? and other related rules.

     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, 74.04.500, 74.08A.120.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The community services division (CSD) is proposing to amend WAC 388-482-0005 to remove references to the food stamp employment and training program and replace it with the Basic Food employment and training. CSD will also use this opportunity to edit rule language to provide more clarity of student status as it relates to Basic Food eligibility and improve accuracy in the Basic Food 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) 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. The department will develop rules that are consistent with the act, federal regulations, FNS administrative notices, and interim guidance.

     The state legislature authorizes the department to administer the Basic Food program (SNAP) and food assistance program for legal immigrants under RCW 74.04.500, 74.04.510, and 74.08A.120.

     DSHS incorporates regulations from the federal agencies, exercises state options, and implements approved waivers of federal regulatory requirements by adopting administrative rules for food assistance programs administered under the Washington Basic Food program.

     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 Bob Thibodeau, Program Manager, Economic Services Administration, Community Services Division, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504-5470, phone (360) 725-4634, fax (360) 725-4905, e-mail thiborl@dshs.wa.gov.

January 30, 2013

Katherine I. Vasquez

Rules Coordinator