WSR 15-14-035

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed June 23, 2015, 1:47 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department is proposing to amend rules under chapter 388-406 WAC, Applications, and other related rules as may be required. The amendments propose to use the option under 7 C.F.R. 273.2 (h)(i)(2)(A) of sending an applicant for Basic Food a notice of pending status on the thirtieth day when there has been a delay in processing a food assistance application and the delay is caused by the household.

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, and 7 C.F.R. §273.2 (h)(2).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The current rules only allow for sending a notice of denial by the thirtieth day when there has been a delay in processing the application caused by the household. The proposed changes will make it standard practice to send the household a notice of pending status giving a cooperating applicant an additional thirty days to complete the application process and provide the necessary information and/or verification needed to determine eligibility. Although this option avoids having to deny the application by the thirtieth day, it does not allow the department to keep the initial application date as the date to begin benefits. This rule will not change. The household is not entitled to benefits for the month of application when a delay was the fault of the household.

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 filing and processing applications for food assistance under the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) under 7 U.S.C. §2020 and 7 C.F.R. §273.2.

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, P.O. Box 45440, Olympia, WA 98504-5470, phone (360) 725-4634, fax (360) 725-4904, e-mail robert.thibodeau@dshs.wa.gov.

June 23, 2015

Katherine I. Vasquez

Rules Coordinator