This rule applies to the Washington Basic Food program only.

(1) A vehicle is a motorized device that the client can use as a regular means of transportation.

(2) If you own a licensed vehicle we (the department) do not count its entire value if the vehicle:

(a) Has an equity value (fair market value (FMV) minus what you owe on the vehicle) of 1,500 dollars or less.

(b) Is used over 50 percent of the time to make income. This includes vehicles such as a taxi, truck, or fishing boat. If you are a self-employed farmer or fisher and your self-employment ends, we still exclude your vehicle for one year from the date you end your self-employment.

(d) Is needed for long-distance travel, other than daily commuting, for the employment of an assistance unit (AU).

(e) Is used as your AU's home.

(f) Is used to carry fuel for heating or water for home use when this is the primary source of fuel or water for your AU.

(g) Is needed to transport a physically disabled AU member, no matter if the disability is permanent or temporary.

(3) For licensed vehicles we did not exclude in subsection (2) above, we subtract 4,650 dollars from the vehicle's FMV and count the remaining amount toward the resource limit for:

(a) One vehicle for each adult AU member no matter how it is used; and

(b) Any vehicle an AU member under age 18 uses to drive to work, school, training, or to look for work.

(4) If you have other licensed vehicles, we count the larger value of the following toward your AU's resource limit:

(a) FMV greater than 4,650 dollars; or

(b) Equity value (FMV minus what is owed on the vehicle).

(5) If you are a tribal member and drive an unlicensed vehicle on a reservation that does not require vehicle licensing, we count or exclude your vehicle as if it was a licensed vehicle.

(6) For all other unlicensed vehicles we count the equity value towards your AU's resource limit unless the vehicle is:

(a) Used to make income each year that is consistent with its FMV, even if used on a seasonal basis; or

(b) Work-related equipment needed for employment or self-employment of a member of your AU.

(7) We do not add the equity values of different vehicles together to perform the equity test. We look at each vehicle separately. If a vehicle passes the equity test, we do not count it towards the resource maximum.

(8) After we determine the countable value of each vehicle, we add those values to your other countable resources to see if your resources are below your resource limit.

PDFWAC 388-470-0075

How is my vehicle counted for the Washington Basic Food program?