WSR 15-01-182

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed December 23, 2014, 3:10 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department is proposing to amend WAC 388-418-0005 How will I know what changes to report?, and any other related rules to correct the policy concerning when categorically eligible (CE) Basic Food and food assistance program (FAP) households must report changes in income during the certification period. The department is also proposing to remove references to long-term care, SSI-related medical, children's medical, pregnancy medical and other medical benefits under this rule.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.08A.120, 7 U.S.C. §2015 and 7 C.F.R. §273.12.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The proposed changes will correct the change of circumstance reporting requirements for Basic Food and FAP CE households to align with federal regulations. Current rules don't require CE households to report income changes during the certification period unless the income increases and exceeds the two hundred percent federal poverty guidelines (also known as FPL). The income limit threshold for reporting changes should be set at one hundred thirty percent FPL.

The department is proposing to remove outdated references to long-term care, SSI-related medical, children's medical, pregnancy medical and other medical benefits under this rule.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 Services, regulates federal food benefits affected by this filing. No direct coordination is necessary. Adopted rules will be consistent with federal laws and regulations regarding change reporting requirements under 7 U.S.C. §2015 and 7 C.F.R. §273.12.

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 contacting Bob Thibodeau, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504-5470, phone (360) 725-4634, fax (360) 725-4904, e-mail thiborl@dshs.wa.gov.

December 23, 2014

Katherine I. Vasquez

Rules Coordinator