WSR 21-22-097
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)
[Filed November 2, 2021, 11:33 a.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department is planning to create and adopt new chapter 388-394 WAC, Transitional cash assistance, and amend chapter 388-489 WAC, Transitional food assistance, and other related rules as may be required. These amendments are necessary to implement section 2 of SHB 1151 (chapter 9, Laws of 2021), effective July 1, 2022. The transitional cash assistance (TCA) program will be a state-funded cash assistance benefit available to households with children, not simultaneously receiving TANF, who terminate basic food benefits due to exceeding the gross income limit or voluntary closure. Families receiving TCA are eligible for transitional food assistance for a period of five months.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: See above.
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 and 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 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 Angie Aikins, Lead Program Manager, Economic Services Administration, Community Services Division, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504-5470, fax 360-725-4904, email angie.aikins@dshs.wa.gov.
November 2, 2021
Katherine I. Vasquez
Rules Coordinator