WSR 22-08-091
PROPOSED RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)
[Filed April 5, 2022, 2:38 p.m.]
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 22-04-108.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: The department is proposing amendments to WAC 388-478-0015 Need standards for cash assistance.
Hearing Location(s): On May 10, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., at Office Building 2, Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Headquarters, 1115 Washington [Street S.E.], 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; or virtually. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, hearings are held virtually, see the DSHS website for the most current information.
Date of Intended Adoption: Not earlier than May 11, 2022.
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. on May 10, 2022.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Shelley Tencza, DSHS rules consultant, phone 360-664-6036, fax 360-664-6185, TTY 711 relay service, email tenczsa@dshs.wa.gov [tencza@dshs.wa.gov], by 5:00 p.m. on April 26, 2022.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: SHB 1151 (chapter 9, Laws of 2021) requires the department to update standards of need using an existing, broadly-used national standard. The proposed amendments reflect this required update using the University of Washington Center for Women's Welfare Self-Sufficiency Standard.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: See above.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW
74.04.770, as amended by SHB 1151 (chapter 9, Laws of 2021).
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: DSHS, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation, and Enforcement: Patrick Budde, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504, 360-764-0068.
A school district fiscal impact statement is not required under RCW
28A.305.135.
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 proposal, or portions of the proposal, is exempt from requirements of the Regulatory Fairness Act because the proposal:
Explanation of exemptions: The proposed amendments do not impact small businesses. They only impact DSHS clients.
April 4, 2022
Katherine I. Vasquez
Rules Coordinator
SHS-4919.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 21-23-102, filed 11/17/21, effective 1/1/22)
WAC 388-478-0015Need standards for cash assistance.
The monthly need and payment standards for cash assistance are based on a determination of the assistance unit size. The need standards for cash assistance units are:
Assistance unit size | Need standard |
1 | $((1,631))2,998 | |
2 | ((2,064))4,883 | |
3 | ((2,548))5,893 | |
4 | ((3,007))7,786 | |
5 | ((3,465))9,144 | |
6 | ((3,924))10,706 | |
7 | ((4,535))12,137 | |
8 | ((5,020))13,553 | |
9 | ((5,504))15,220 | |
10 or more | ((5,988))17,793 | |