Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department is planning to amend the following rules and any related rules as may be required: WAC 388-400-0060 Who is eligible for aged, blind, or disabled (ABD) cash assistance?, 388-400-0070 Who is eligible for referral to the housing and essential needs (HEN) program?, 388-434-0005 How often does the department review my eligibility for benefits?, 388-449-0001 What are the disability requirements for the aged, blind, or disabled (ABD) program?, 388-449-0200 Am I eligible for cash assistance for aged, blind, or disabled (ABD) while waiting for supplemental security income (SSI)?, 388-452-0005 Do I have to be interviewed in order to get cash and basic food benefits?, 388-478-0006 The clothing, personal maintenance, and necessary incidentals (CPI) payment standard for cash assistance, and 388-478-0033 What are the payment standards for aged, blind, or disabled (ABD) cash assistance?

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Planned amendments will implement a change in ABD cash assistance program eligibility related to individuals residing in a public mental institution, as provided in the supplemental operating budget (chapter 297, Laws of 2022).

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 Evelyn Acopan, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 253-778-2381, email evelyn.acopan@dshs.wa.gov.