Date of Adoption: September 19, 2000.

Purpose: Chapter 388-280 WAC, United States repatriation program. To rewrite the rules relating to the administration of this program in Washington state to meet the standards of Executive Order 97-02.

Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 388-280-1010, 388-280-1020, 388-280-1030, 388-280-1040, 388-280-1050, 388-280-1060, 388-280-1070, 388-280-1080, 388-280-1090, 388-280-1100, 388-280-1110, 388-280-1120, 388-280-1130, 388-280-1140, 388-280-1150, and 388-280-1160.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.08.090.

Adopted under notice filed as WSR 00-16-086 on July 31, 2000.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 6, Amended 0, Repealed 16.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 6, Amended 0, Repealed 16.

Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 6, Amended 0, Repealed 16. Effective Date of Rule: November 1, 2000.

September 19, 2000

Marie Myerchin-Redifer, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit

The United States Repatriation Program assists a U.S. citizen or dependent who is:

     (1) Without financial resources; and

     (2) Returned or brought back to the U.S. from a foreign country because of:

     (a) Mental illness; or

     (b) Destitution, physical illness, or a crisis such as war.

     For the purposes of this chapter, "we" and "us" means the department of social and health services.

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You apply for repatriation assistance by contacting the U.S. State Department or us.

     (1) If you contact the U.S. State Department, we consider a referral from them as an approved application.

     (2) If you contact us directly, we apply for you to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

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Repatriation assistance is a loan. You, or your representative if you are mentally ill, must:

     (1) Sign a statement recognizing repatriation assistance as a loan; and

     (2) Agree to repay the funds.

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(1) You are ineligible to receive repatriate assistance if you have nonexempt:

     (a) Income, as defined by temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) equal to or greater than the TANF need standards as described in WAC 388-450-0005; or

     (b) Resources, as defined by TANF under WAC 388-470-0005 that are available to meet your resettlement needs.

     (2) We consider a resource available to you when:

     (a) The value can be determined;

     (b) It is controlled by you; and

     (c) You can use the resource to meet your needs.

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(1) If you are mentally ill, you receive temporary care until you:

     (a) Can be released to the care of a relative or state agency; or

     (b) Are discharged or granted release from hospitalization.

     (2) If you are not mentally ill, you may receive repatriation assistance up to twelve months as follows:

     (a) "Temporary assistance" meaning repatriation assistance provided during the first ninety days after you return to the United States.

     (b) "Extended assistance" meaning repatriation assistance provided for up to nine months after the end of your temporary assistance. We must have approval in advance from HHS, so you must ask us to apply for extended assistance while receiving temporary assistance and be:

     (i) Ineligible for any other assistance program; and

     (ii) Unable to support or care for yourself due to age, illness, or lack of job skills.

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(1) The HHS sets limits on how much we pay for repatriation assistance. The limits are:

     (a) The temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) payment standards under WAC 388-478-0015 for goods and services to meet basic needs;

     (b) Up to five hundred sixty dollars per person to meet resettlement costs, if necessary, and for only one month while you receive temporary assistance.

     (2) Within payment limits, repatriation assistance includes:

     (a) Travel to your place of residence, limited to:

     (i) One domestic trip at the lowest fare and using the most direct means;

     (ii) Meals and lodging while you are traveling;

     (iii) Money for incidentals; and

     (iv) If you are ill or disabled, travel expenses for an escort.

     (b) Goods and services necessary for your health and welfare, including:

     (i) Transportation for medical treatment, hospitalization or social services;

     (ii) Temporary shelter;

     (iii) Meals;

     (iv) Clothing;

     (v) Hospitalization to treat mental or acute illness or other medical care; and

     (vi) Guidance, counseling and other social services.

     (c) Resettlement costs, including:

     (i) Utility or housing deposits; and

     (ii) Basic household goods, such as cookware or blankets.

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     The following sections of the Washington Administrative Code are repealed:

WAC 388-280-1010	Purpose.
WAC 388-280-1020	Definition.
WAC 388-280-1030	Application.
WAC 388-280-1040	Repaying repatriation assistance.
WAC 388-280-1050	Safeguarding information.
WAC 388-280-1060	Referral to other agencies.
WAC 388-280-1070	Income and resources.
WAC 388-280-1080	Eligibility.
WAC 388-280-1090	Client responsibilities.
WAC 388-280-1100	Department responsibilities as the port of entry state.
WAC 388-280-1110	Department responsibilities as the final destination state.
WAC 388-280-1120	Unattended minors.
WAC 388-280-1130	Scope of services.
WAC 388-280-1140	Time limits on benefits.
WAC 388-280-1150	Payment limits.
WAC 388-280-1160	Assistance payment--Types of payments.

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