WSR 02-09-073

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)

[ Filed April 16, 2002, 3:43 p.m. ]

     Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 388-450-0190 How does the department figure my shelter cost income deduction for food assistance?, 388-450-0195 Utility allowances for food assistance programs, and 388-478-0060 What are my income limits for food assistance? The DSHS Division of Employment and Assistance Programs plans to amend these rules to be consistent with federal standards and limits.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 7 C.F.R. 273.9 (d)(6).

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: These standards are required by federal regulation and are necessary to determine a client's eligibility and benefit level for food assistance benefits.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) annually adjusts income and payment standards as well as maximum shelter deductions for the upcoming federal fiscal year. FNS also requires that the department adjust the food stamp utility allowance on an annual basis. The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) adopts the new income standards, payment standards, and shelter deduction limits into administrative rule. The department adjusts the food assistance utility allowance based on a utility market basket survey and adopts the new allowance under administrative rule.

     Process for Developing New Rule: DSHS welcomes the public to take part in developing the rules. Anyone interested should contact the staff person identified below. After the rules are drafted, DSHS will file a copy with the Office of the Code Reviser with a notice of proposed rule making. A copy of the draft will be sent to everyone on the mailing list and to anyone who requests a copy.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting John Camp, Program Manager, Division of Employment and Assistance Programs, Lacey Government Center, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504-4570, phone (360) 413-3232, fax (360) 413-3493, e-mail CAMPJX@DSHS.WA.GOV.

April 16, 2002

Brian H. Lindgren, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit

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