WSR 22-09-033
EXPEDITED RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)
[Filed April 12, 2022, 4:24 p.m.]
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: The department is proposing amendments to WAC 388-493-0010 Working family support.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The department is proposing amendments through the expedited rule-making process for housekeeping purposes. These amendments only remove obsolete references to specific dates and do not change the effect of the rule.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: These amendments meet the criteria for expedited adoption as set forth in RCW
34.05.353, specifically subsection (1)(c): "The proposed rules only correct typographical errors, make address or name changes, or clarify language of a rule without changing its effect."
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Department of social and health services, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation, and Enforcement: Jake Deskins, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504-5770, 360-480-3411.
This notice meets the following criteria to use the expedited adoption process for these rules:
Corrects typographical errors, make address or name changes, or clarify language of a rule without changing its effect.
Explanation of the Reason the Agency Believes the Expedited Rule-Making Process is Appropriate: The proposed amendments only remove obsolete references to specific dates and do not change the effect of the rule.
NOTICE
THIS RULE IS BEING PROPOSED UNDER AN EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS THAT WILL ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR THE AGENCY TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS, PREPARE A SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT, OR PROVIDE RESPONSES TO THE CRITERIA FOR A SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATIVE RULE. IF YOU OBJECT TO THIS USE OF THE EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS, YOU MUST EXPRESS YOUR OBJECTIONS IN WRITING AND THEY MUST BE SENT TO DSHS Rules Coordinator, Department of Social and Health Services, P.O. Box 45850, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-664-6097, fax 360-664-6185, email DSHSRPAURulesCoordinator@dshs.wa.gov, AND RECEIVED BY June 21, 2022.
April 11, 2022
Katherine I. Vasquez
Rules Coordinator
SHS-4920.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 20-16-133, filed 8/3/20, effective 9/3/20)
WAC 388-493-0010Working family support.
(1) What is the working family support (WFS) program?
The working family support program is administered by the department of social and health services (department) and provides an additional monthly food benefit ((from May 2016 through June 30, 2021)) to low income families who meet specific criteria. Continuance of the program ((beyond June 30, 2021)) is contingent on specific legislative funding for the working family support program.
(2) The following definitions apply to this program:
(a) "Co-parent" means another adult in your home who is related to your qualifying child through birth or adoption.
(b) "Qualifying child" means a child under the age of ((eighteen))18 who is:
(i) Your child through birth or adoption; or
(ii) Your step-child.
(c) "Work" means subsidized or unsubsidized employment or self-employment. To determine self-employment hours, we divide your net self-employment income by the federal minimum wage.
(3) Who is eligible for the working family support program?
You may be eligible for working family support food assistance if you meet all of the following:
(a) You receive food assistance through basic food, food assistance program for legal immigrants (FAP), or transitional food assistance (TFA);
(b) Receipt of working family support food assistance would not cause your countable food assistance income to exceed the ((two hundred percent))200% federal poverty level (FPL);
(c) No one in your food assistance unit receives temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) or state family assistance (SFA);
(d) A qualifying child lives in your home;
(e) You, your spouse, or co-parent work a minimum of ((thirty-five))35 hours a week, and if you live with your spouse or co-parent, you must be in the same assistance unit;
(f) You provide proof of the number of hours worked; and
(g) You reside in Washington state as required under WAC 388-468-0005.
(4) How may I apply for working family support?
(a) The department will review your eligibility for the working family support program:
(i) When you apply for food assistance, or
(ii) At the time of your food assistance eligibility review.
(b) You may request the working family support benefit in person, in writing, or by phone at any time.
(5) How long may I receive working family support?
(a) You may recertify up to an additional six months for working family support if you meet the criteria listed in subsection (3) of this section and provide current proof that you, your spouse, or co-parent works a minimum of ((thirty-five))35 hours a week.
(b) Working family support certification ends when:
(i) You complete either a certification or mid-certification review for food assistance under WAC 388-434-0010 or 388-418-0011, and you do not provide proof of the number of hours that you, your spouse, or your co-parent work;
(ii) You no longer receive basic food, FAP, or TFA;
(iii) You receive TANF or SFA;
(iv) You do not have a qualifying child in your home;
(v) You, your spouse, or co-parent no longer work a minimum of ((thirty-five))35 hours a week; or
(vi) You are no longer a resident of Washington state.
(6) What benefits will I receive if I am eligible for the working family support program?
(a) The assistance unit will receive a separate ((ten dollars))$10 monthly food assistance benefit each month.
(b) Working family support benefits are not prorated.
(7) Enrollment in the working family support program is limited to ((ten thousand))10,000 households per month.