BILL REQ. #:  S-0720.1 

Read first time 01/20/11.   Referred to Committee on Human Services & Corrections.

     AN ACT Relating to verification of public assistance eligibility; adding a new section to chapter 43.20A RCW; and creating new sections.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds the integrity of public assistance programs can be improved by establishing uniform and consistent procedures for determining eligibility. This finding is supported by the feedback and suggestions of many state employees who have themselves suggested these measures to ensure that finite resources within public assistance programs are reserved for those truly eligible and in most need. The legislature further finds that public confidence in our public assistance programs will greatly benefit from some assurance that every effort is being made to determine eligibility before benefits are distributed.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 43.20A RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The department may not provide public assistance to any applicant who has not provided:
     (a) A social security number that has been verified by the department; and
     (b) Written authorization for electronic transmittal of the applicant's most recent federal income tax return to the department to verify financial eligibility annually. The applicant must bear the costs of the transmittal.
     (2) The department shall verify a recipient's continued eligibility for public assistance services every six months.
     (3) "Public assistance" has the same meaning as provided in RCW 74.04.005.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   If any part of this act is found to be in conflict with federal requirements that are a prescribed condition to the allocation of federal funds to the state, the conflicting part of this act is inoperative solely to the extent of the conflict and with respect to the agencies directly affected, and this finding does not affect the operation of the remainder of this act in its application to the agencies concerned. Rules adopted under this act must meet federal requirements that are a necessary condition to the receipt of federal funds by the state.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   If a portion of this act is made inoperable due to a conflict with federal requirements, the department must seek a waiver to exempt the state from the federal regulation or law that prevents full implementation of this act.