WSR 15-19-134

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed September 21, 2015, 3:17 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department is proposing to amend WAC 388-400-0010 Who is eligible for state family assistance? and other related rules as may be required.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.04.050, 74.08.283, 74.08.090, and 74.04.057.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department is proposing to amend WAC 388-400-0010 to allow state family assistance to be issued in certain situations to two-parent families that are otherwise eligible for temporary assistance for needy families (TANF). This change would not impact services or benefits to clients.

This proposed change would help to improve the state's work participation rate and would reduce, or eliminate, the penalty imposed on the state for not meeting the federal participation rate. This proposed change is necessary to help meet federal TANF work participation targets set by the administration for children and families.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

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 Bev Kelly, WorkFirst Policy, 712 Pear Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98501, phone (360) 725-4556, fax (360) 725-4904, e-mail beverly.kelly@dshs.wa.gov.

September 21, 2015

Katherine I. Vasquez

Rules Coordinator