Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department of social and health services (DSHS) is planning to amend the following WAC sections: 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?, 388-449-0200 Am I eligible for cash assistance for aged, blind, or disabled (ABD) while waiting for supplemental security income (SSI)?, 388-449-0210 What is interim assistance and how do I assign it to the department?, 388-474-0020 What can an aged, blind, or disabled (ABD) cash assistance client expect when supplemental security income (SSI) benefits begin?, and other related rules as may be required.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Effective October 1, 2025, planned amendments will implement provisions of HB 1260 (chapter 289, Laws of 2023) which eliminate the requirement for ABD program recipients to repay the state for ABD benefits received for the same period as federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The monetary value of ABD benefits paid prior to October 1, 2025, that is duplicated by the person's receipt of SSI benefits for the same period remains a debt due to the state that is subject to recovery.

If applicable, these amendments will make additional changes required to improve clarity, update policy, or better align rule language with state and federal law or regulations.

Process for Developing New Rule: 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 Lorri Burns, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504-5470, phone 509-385-9020, fax 360-725-4905, email Lorri.Burns3@dshs.wa.gov.