WSR 15-08-047

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed March 26, 2015, 3:47 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department is proposing to amend WAC 388-450-0200 Will the medical expenses of elderly persons or individuals with disabilities in my assistance unit be used as an income deduction for Basic Food?, and other related rules as may be required.

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, 7 C.F.R. 273.9.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Changes proposed under this filing will amend WAC 388-450-0200 to clarify use of the excess medical expense deduction so it is applied consistently with federal regulations under Title 7 C.F.R. §273.9 (d)(3).

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The state legislature authorizes the department to administer the food stamp program and food assistance program for legal immigrants under RCW 74.04.500, 74.04.510, and 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 Ezra Paskus, Program Manager, Economic Services Administration, Community Services Division, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504-5470, phone (360) 725-4611, fax (360) 725-4905, e-mail paskuet@dshs.wa.gov.

March 26, 2015

Katherine I. Vasquez

Rules Coordinator