WSR 24-08-070
PROPOSED RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)
[Filed April 2, 2024, 9:20 a.m.]
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 24-02-035.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: The department of social and health services (DSHS) is proposing amendments to WAC 388-478-0015 Need standards for cash assistance.
Hearing Location(s): On May 7, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., virtually via Microsoft Teams or call in. See the DSHS website https://www.dshs.wa.gov/sesa/rpau/proposed-rules-and-public-hearings for the most current information.
Date of Intended Adoption: No earlier than May 8, 2024.
Submit Written Comments to: DSHS Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 45850, Olympia, WA 98504, email DSHSRPAURulesCoordinator@dshs.wa.gov, fax 360-664-6185, by May 7, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Shelley Tencza, rules coordinator, phone 360-664-6036, fax 360-664-6185, TTY 711 relay service, email tenczsa@dshs.wa.gov, by April 23, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: RCW
74.04.770 requires DSHS to annually 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.
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:
Is exempt under RCW
19.85.025(3) as the rule content is explicitly and specifically dictated by statute.
Explanation of exemptions: The proposed amendments do not impact small business. They only impact DSHS clients.
Scope of exemption for rule proposal:
Is fully exempt.
March 29, 2024
Katherine I. Vasquez
Rules Coordinator
SHS-5028.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 23-12-053, filed 6/1/23, effective 7/2/23)
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 | $((3,258))3,732 | |
2 | ((5,290))5,911 | |
3 | ((6,396))7,270 | |
4 | ((8,359))9,369 | |
5 | ((9,872))11,229 | |
6 | ((11,463))13,104 | |
7 | ((13,081))14,998 | |
8 | ((14,542))16,842 | |
9 | ((16,428))18,890 | |
10 or more | ((19,017))21,888 | |