WSR 22-07-019
PERMANENT RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)
[Filed March 8, 2022, 12:05 p.m., effective April 24, 2022]
Effective Date of Rule: April 24, 2022.
Purpose: The department is adopting WAC 388-436-0065 What is the pandemic emergency assistance fund (PEAF)? Adoption of this rule supports issuance of cash benefits from the pandemic emergency assistance fund, a one-time payment to all families with children receiving temporary assistance for needy families, state family assistance, or basic food (state or federally funded) whose household income is at or below 75 percent of the federal poverty level. The rule provides definitions and eligibility requirements associated with these funds. PEAF funds are part of the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New WAC 388-436-0065.
Other Authority: P.L. 117-2, Title IX, Subtitle C, Sec. 9201; 2021-2023 operating budget (chapter 334, Laws of 2021).
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 22-01-141 on December 15, 2021.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: March 8, 2022.
Katherine I. Vasquez
Rules Coordinator
SHS-4906.1
NEW SECTION
WAC 388-436-0065What is the pandemic emergency assistance fund (PEAF)?
(1) What is the pandemic emergency assistance fund (PEAF)?
The pandemic emergency assistance fund (PEAF) is administered by the department of social and health services and provides a one-time cash benefit to low income families with at least one qualifying child, to support them in meeting their basic needs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
(2) The following definitions apply to PEAF:
(a) "Household" as defined in WAC 388-408-0015 or WAC 388-408-0035.
(b) "Qualifying child" means a child as defined in WAC 388-404-0005.
(3) Who is eligible for the PEAF?
Each child in your household may be eligible for PEAF if your child meets all of the following:
(a) A qualifying child lives in your home and has not already received PEAF;
(b) The household is active, eligible, and receiving TANF, SNAP, SFA, or FAP benefits in the month of issuance;
(c) The reported household income, as defined in chapter 388-450 WAC, at the time of issuance is at or below 75% of the federal poverty level;
(d) You reside in Washington state as required under WAC 388-468-0005.
(4) How do I apply for the pandemic emergency assistance fund?
(a) The department automatically reviews your eligibility for PEAF during the month of issuance:
(b) When you apply for TANF, SFA, SNAP, or FAP; or
(c) You are an active household receiving TANF, SFA, SNAP, or FAP.
(5) What benefits will I receive if I am eligible for PEAF?
(a) PEAF is issued only once per qualifying child.
(b) The amount of the PEAF benefit is the same for each qualifying child and is determined based on:
(i) The amount of available PEAF funding; and
(ii) The number of qualifying children in the month of issuance.