WSR 16-17-143

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed August 24, 2016, 8:44 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department is proposing to amend WAC 388-400-0047 and other related rules as may be required to be consistent with federal requirements for the low income home energy assistance program (LIHEAP) under 8 U.S.C. § 1611 (a)(1).

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.04.515, 74.08.090, 74.04.500, 74.08A.010, 74.08A.903, Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-246, 7 U.S.C.) as amended by PL 113-79.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Changes proposed under this filing will clarify which households are or are not eligible to receive a LIHEAP payment to allow the standard utility allowance.

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 Service enforces the provisions of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program as enacted in the 2008 Food and Nutrition Act as amended and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations. DSHS incorporates regulations from federal agencies, exercises state options, and implements approved waivers and demonstration projects by adopting administrative rules for food assistance administered as the Washington basic food program, the Washington combined application program, and transitional food assistance.

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 Holly St. John, Program Manager, 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.

August 23, 2016

Katherine I. Vasquez

Rules Coordinator