WSR 98-21-026
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)
[Filed October 13, 1998, 3:04 p.m., effective December 1, 1998]
Date of Adoption: October 13, 1998.
Purpose: Update the utility deduction amounts used to calculate food assistance benefits.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 388-450-0195.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.04.510.
Other Authority: 7 CFR 273.9 (d)(6).
Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that state or federal law or federal rule or a federal deadline for state receipt of federal funds requires immediate adoption of a rule.
Reasons for this Finding: 7 CFR 273.9 (d)(6) requires an annual updating of utility deduction amounts and this change must be in effect December 1, 1998, to meet federal requirements.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, amended 1, repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.
Effective Date of Rule: December 1, 1998.
October 13, 1998
Marie Myerchin-Redifer, Manager
Rules and Policies Assistance Unit
SHS-2490.1
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 98-16-044, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98)
WAC 388-450-0195 Utility allowances for food assistance
programs. (1) ((The following utility allowances are used in
calculating shelter costs:
(a) A standard utility allowance (SUA) for assistance units
that incur any separate utility charges for heating or cooling
costs;
(b) A limited utility allowance (LUA) for assistance units
without heating or cooling costs, that incur utility charges
other than telephone costs;
(c) A telephone utility allowance (TUA) for assistance units
that incur any separate charges for phone service and not
claiming the SUA or LUA.
(d) Actual utility costs if:
(i) Greater than the SUA or LUA; or
(ii) The assistance unit is not entitled to the SUA or LUA))
You can use the amounts in the chart below or use actual utility
costs to calculate total shelter costs. Total shelter costs are
used in calculating your food assistance benefits.
| If you have to pay: | Then, you can use the: |
| Separate heating or cooling costs | Standard utility allowance (SUA) of $211 |
| Separate utility costs, but no heating or cooling costs | Limited utility allowance (LUA) of $158 |
| Separate costs for phone service only | Telephone utility allowance (TUA) of $29 |
(2) ((As provided in federal law:
(a) The SUA up to two hundred twenty-three dollars;
(b) The LUA up to one hundred sixty-four dollars;
(c) The TUA up to twenty-nine dollars)) Use actual utility
costs if greater than the SUA or LUA or if you are not eligible
for the SUA or LUA.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-450-0195, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.]