PDFWAC 388-444-0010

Who is exempt from work registration while receiving basic food?

If you receive basic food, you are exempt from work registration and the requirements in chapter 388-444 WAC if you meet any one of the following conditions:
(1) Are age sixteen or seventeen, and:
(a) Not the head of household;
(b) Attend school; or
(c) Are enrolled at least half time (using the institutions definition) in an employment and training program under:
(i) The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA);
(ii) Section 236 of the Trade Act of 1974; or
(iii) A state or local employment and training program.
(2) You are a student age eighteen or older enrolled at least half time as defined by the institution in:
(a) Any accredited school;
(b) A training program; or
(c) An institution of higher education. If you are enrolled in higher education, you must meet the requirements under WAC 388-482-0005 to be eligible for basic food benefits.
(3) You are an employed or self-employed person working at least thirty hours per week, or receiving weekly earnings equal to the federal minimum wage multiplied by thirty;
(4) You are complying with the work requirements of an employment and training program under temporary assistance for needy families (TANF);
(5) You receive unemployment compensation (UC) benefits or have an application pending for UC benefits;
(6) You are responsible to care for:
(a) A dependent child under age six; or
(b) A person with an incapacity that meets the requirements of WAC 388-310-0350 (1)(d)(i), (ii), (iv), and (v), except the person does not need to be related to you as stated in (1)(d)(v).
(7) You are physically or mentally unable to work as determined below:
(a) A DSHS SSI facilitator has assessed you as likely to be approved for SSI or other benefits and are required to apply for SSI or another type of federal disability benefit (such as railroad retirement or Social Security disability) and your SSI application status may be verified through either the SSI facilitator or state data exchange, or both;
(b) You have a severe and chronic mental, physical, emotional, or cognitive disability that prevents you from participating in work or work activities for at least thirty hours a week; or
(c) We verify your disability using documentation from DDA, DVR, HCS, MHD, or RSN, or by one of the medical or mental health professionals listed in WAC 388-310-0350(2).
(8) You regularly participate in a drug addiction or alcoholic treatment and rehabilitation program as defined by the Food Stamp Act of 1977.
(9) You are not legally able to work due to your immigration status.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.005, 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120, and 74.09.035. WSR 22-01-201, § 388-444-0010, filed 12/21/21, effective 2/1/22. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120 and 7 C.F.R. 273.7, 7 C.F.R. 273.24. WSR 21-07-132, § 388-444-0010, filed 3/23/21, effective 4/23/21. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120, 7 C.F.R. 273.7 and 273.24. WSR 16-04-046, § 388-444-0010, filed 1/27/16, effective 2/27/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.08A.250, and 2013 c 39. WSR 13-24-043, § 388-444-0010, filed 11/26/13, effective 1/1/14. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.500, 74.04.515, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120, 74.08A.903, and 7 U.S.C. 2015 (d)(1); 7 C.F.R. § 273.7. WSR 10-18-048, § 388-444-0010, filed 8/26/10, effective 10/1/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. WSR 98-16-044, § 388-444-0010, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.]