Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department is planning to adopt new WAC 388-437-0005, changes to food assistance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and create or amend other related rules as may be required.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: This rule fiing [filing] will address changes to food assistance benefit issuances related to Section 2302 of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act as needed under the indefinite conditions of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

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 (FNS) enforces the provisions of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as enacted in the 2008 Food and Nutrition Act and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations. The department will amend rules that are consistent with the act, federal regulations, and FNS administrative notices and formal guidance.

The state legislature authorizes the department to administer SNAP food assistance program for legal immigrants under RCW 74.04.500, 74.04.510, and 74.08A.120.

The department of social and health services (DSHS) incorporates regulations from the federal agencies, exercises state options, and implements approved waivers of federal regulatory requirements by adopting administrative rules for food assistance programs administered under the Washington basic food program.

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 Ivette Dones-Figueroa, Program Manager, Economic Services Administration, Community Services Division, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504-5470, phone 360-725-4651, fax 360-725-4904, email donesim@dshs.wa.gov.