WSR 13-15-108

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed July 22, 2013, 11:58 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department is proposing to amend WAC 388-400-0050 If I am not eligible for federal benefits through Washington Basic Food program because of my alien status, can I receive benefits through the state-funded food assistance program?

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.08A.120 and 3ESSB 5034 (operating budget).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The biennial operating budget (3ESSB 5034) changed the benefit level for the state-funded food assistance program under RCW 74.08A.120. Section 207(5) of 3ESSB 5034 states that the legislature establishes the benefit under the state food assistance program at seventy-five percent of the federal supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefit amount. Prior to July 1, 2013, the benefit amount was fifty percent of the SNAP benefit amount.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: DSHS incorporates regulations from federal agencies, exercises state options, and implements approved waivers and demonstration projects by adopting administrative rules for the federal SNAP administered as the Washington Basic Food program. For persons who do not meet citizenship or alien status requirements the department may establish a state-funded food assistance program for legal immigrants under RCW 74.08A.120. Department rules related to eligibility for noncitizens who do not meet alien status requirements for SNAP must comply with RCW 74.08A.120.

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 John Camp, Administrator, Food Assistance Programs, Community Services Division, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504-5470, phone (360) 725-4616, fax (360) 725-4904, e-mail campix@dshs.wa.gov.

July 17, 2013

Katherine I. Vasquez

Rules Coordinator