Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department is planning to amend WAC 388-478-0020 Payment standards for TANF, SFA and RCA, 388-478-0027 What is the payment standard for pregnant women assistance (PWA), 388-478-0035 What are the maximum earned income limits for TANF, SFA, PWA and RCA?, 388-436-0050 Determining financial need and benefit amount for CEAP, and other related rules as appropriate.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.660, 74.08.090, and 74.08A.230.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Planned amendments will implement the fifteen percent payment standard increase (effective July 1, 2021) for the temporary assistance for needy families, state family assistance, refugee cash assistance, and pregnant women assistance programs, approved via the 2021-2023 operating budget. Planned amendments will also update net income limits and allowable benefit amounts for the consolidated emergency assistance program.

Process for Developing New Rule: The department of social and health services (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 Sarah Garcia, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504-5470, phone 360-522-2214, fax 360-725-4905, email Sarah.Garcia@dshs.wa.gov.