WSR 14-02-119

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed January 2, 2014, 9:12 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department plans to amend rules under chapter 388-492 WAC as well as other rules in Title 388 WAC related to eligibility and benefit level for food assistance under the Washington combined application program (WASHCAP).

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.500, 74.08.090, 74.08A.903.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department is proposing to amend rules under chapter 388-492 WAC as well as other rules in Title 388 WAC related to eligibility and benefit level for food assistance under WASHCAP.

The state of Washington operates WASHCAP under an approved demonstration project with the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). The demonstration project sets in place certain alternative procedures for WASHCAP from the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) administered in Washington state as Basic Food. In accordance with the approved demonstration project plan and the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, all elements of the SNAP program not specifically waived as a part of the demonstration project apply to WASHCAP households.

The amendments proposed under this filing will clarify the differences and similarities in definitions, eligibility requirements, reporting requirements, and benefit calculation for the WASHCAP demonstration project and Basic Food.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The United States Department of Agriculture, FNS enforces the provisions of the federal SNAP as enacted in the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations. The department develops WASHCAP to be consistent with the act, federal regulations, and the approved WASHCAP demonstration project waiver while ensuring cost neutrality of the program.

Process for Developing New Rule: DSHS welcomes the public to take part in developing these 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 Holly St. John, Economic Services Administration, Community Services Division, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504-5470, phone (360) 725-4895, fax (360) 725-4904, e-mail stjohhc@dshs.wa.gov.

January 2, 2014

Katherine I. Vasquez

Rules Coordinator