WSR 17-03-051 PROPOSED RULES DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES (Economic Services Administration) [Filed January 9, 2017, 11:55 a.m.]
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 16-21-072.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: The department is proposing to amend WAC 388-493-0010 Working family support, to extend the effective end date of the working family support program from September 30, 2016, to June 30, 2017.
Hearing Location(s): Office Building 2, DSHS Headquarters, 1115 Washington, Olympia, WA 98504 (public parking at 11th and Jefferson. A map is available at https://www.dshs.wa.gov/sesa/rules-and-policies-assistance-unit/driving-directions-office-bldg-2), on February 21, 2017, at 10:00 a.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: Not earlier than February 22, 2017.
Submit Written Comments to: DSHS Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 45850, Olympia, WA 98504, email DSHSRPAURulesCoordinator@dshs.wa.gov, fax (360) 664-6185, by 5:00 p.m., February 21, 2017.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Jeff Kildahl, DSHS rules consultant by February 7, 2017, phone (360) 664-6092, TTY (360) 664-6178, or email KildaJA@dshs.wa.gov.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The department is proposing to amend WAC 388-493-0010 to change the effective end date of the working family support program from September 30, 2016, to June 30, 2017, in order to continue providing additional food assistance to qualifying low income families.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: Extending the effective end date of the program will help the department meet the workfirst participation rate, while continuing to provide an additional food benefit to program recipients.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Department of social and health services, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation, and Enforcement: Anna Minor, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504-5470, (360) 725-4894.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. The proposed rule does not have an economic impact on small businesses. The proposed amendment only affects DSHS clients by extending the effective end date of the working family support program.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. This amendment is exempt as allowed under RCW 34.05.328 (5)(b)(vii) which states in-part, "[t]his section does not apply to … rules of the department of social and health services relating only to client medical or financial eligibility and rules concerning liability for care of dependents." This rule affects working family support as outlined in WAC 388-493-0010.
January 4, 2017
Katherine I. Vasquez
Rules Coordinator
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 16-08-034, filed 3/30/16, effective 5/1/16)
WAC 388-493-0010 Working family support.
(1) What is the working family support (WFS) program?
The working family support program is administered by the department of social and health services (Department) and provides an additional monthly food benefit from May 2016 through ((September 2016)) June 30, 2017 to low income families who meet specific criteria. Continuance of the program beyond ((September 30, 2016)) June 30, 2017 is contingent on specific legislative funding for the working family support program.
(2) The following definitions apply to this program:
(a) "Co-parent" means another adult in your home that is related to your qualifying child through birth or adoption.
(b) "Qualifying child" means a child under the age of eighteen who is:
(i) Your child through birth or adoption; or
(ii) Your step child.
(c) "Work" means subsidized or unsubsidized employment or self-employment. To determine self-employment hours, we divide your net self-employment income by the federal minimum wage.
(3) Who is eligible for the working family support program?
You are eligible for working family support food assistance if you meet all of the following:
(a) You receive food assistance through basic food, food assistance program for legal immigrants (FAP), or transitional food assistance (TFA);
(b) Receipt of working family support food assistance would not cause your countable food assistance income to exceed the two hundred percent federal poverty level (FPL);
(c) No one in your food assistance unit receives temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) or state family assistance (SFA);
(d) A qualifying child lives in your home;
(e) You, your spouse, or co-parent, work a minimum of thirty five hours a week, and if you live with your spouse or co-parent, you must be in the same assistance unit;
(f) You provide proof of the number of hours worked; and
(g) You reside in Washington state per WAC 388-468-0005.
(4) How can I apply for working family support?
(a) The department will review your eligibility for the working family support program:
(i) When you apply for food assistance, or
(ii) At the time of your food assistance eligibility review.
(b) You may request the working family support benefit in person, in writing, or by phone at any time.
(5) How long can I receive working family support?
(a) You may recertify up to an additional six months for working family support if you meet the criteria listed above and provide current proof that you, your spouse, or co-parent works a minimum of thirty five hours a week.
(b) Working family support certification ends when:
(i) You complete either a certification or mid-certification review for food assistance under WAC 388-434-0010 or WAC 388-418-0011, and you do not provide proof of the number of hours that you, your spouse, or your co-parent work;
(ii) You no longer receive basic food, FAP, or TFA;
(iii) You receive TANF or SFA;
(iv) You do not have a qualifying child in your home;
(v) You, your spouse, or co-parent, no longer work a minimum of thirty five hours a week; or
(vi) You are no longer a resident of Washington state.
(6) What benefits will I receive if I am eligible for the working family support program?
(a) The assistance unit will receive a separate ten dollars monthly food assistance benefit each month.
(b) Working family support benefits are not prorated.
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