Date of Adoption: October 3, 2003.

     Purpose: The department is amending WAC sections in chapters 388-450 and 388-490 WAC to comply with federal requirements on reporting changes and income budgeting for the food stamp program and to rewrite the text of the rules to be more easily understood. This is Part 2 of 2. Part 1 includes related amended rules in chapter 388-418 WAC.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 388-450-0215, 388-450-0225, 388-450-0230, 388-450-0245, and 388-490-0005.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, and 74.04.510.

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 03-17-088 on August 19, 2003.

     Changes Other than Editing from Proposed to Adopted Version: Editorial changes only.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 5, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 5, Repealed 0.

     Other Findings Required by Other Provisions of Law as Precondition to Adoption or Effectiveness of Rule: These rules must be effective and implemented by November 1, 2003, to comply with 7 C.F.R. 273 and 7 U.S.C. chapter 51.
     Effective Date of Rule: November 1, 2003.

October 3, 2003

Brian H. Lindgren, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit

     (1) ((The department determines the amount of)) We determine if your AU is eligible for benefits ((an assistance unit can receive each month based on an estimate of your income and circumstances)) and calculate your monthly benefits based on an estimate of your AU's income and expenses for that month. This is known as prospective budgeting.

     (2) We base this estimate on what can be reasonably expected based on your current, past and future circumstances.

     (3) We determine if our estimate is reasonable by looking at documents, statements, and other verification.

     (4) ((There are)) We use two methods ((of estimating a client's)) to estimate your AU's income:

     (a) Anticipating monthly income: We estimate the actual amount of income you expect to receive in the month; and

     (b) Averaging income: We estimate your income based on adding the total income you expect to receive for a period of time and dividing by the number of months in the time period.

     (5) When we use the anticipating monthly method, we estimate the actual amount of income your AU expects to receive in the month. Your benefits will vary based on the income that is expected for that month.

     (6) In general, you can choose which method we use to estimate your income. However, we must use the anticipating monthly method:

     (a) For all your AU's income in the following circumstances:

     (((a))) (i) If you receive SSI-related medical benefits under WAC 388-450-0150; or

     (ii) If you are a destitute migrant or destitute seasonal farmworker ((as defined in)) under WAC 388-406-0021((;)), we must use the anticipating monthly method for the month your AU applied for benefits.

     (b) ((If you are receiving SSI, Social Security, or SSI-related medical benefits;

     (c) If you have)) For the income of any member of your AU who has income allocated to someone receiving SSI-related medical benefits under WAC 388-450-0150; ((or

     (d) If you have))

     (c) For the following sources of income to your AU:

     (i) SSI;

     (ii) Social Security benefits; or

     (iii) Income your AU already received ((income)) in the month that you ((apply)) applied for benefits((.

     (6) When using)). If we do not have to use the anticipating monthly method((, we estimate the actual amount of income you expect to receive in the month. Your benefits will vary based on the income that is expected for that month)) for any other reason, we may average this income for the remaining months of your certification or review period.

     (7) When ((using)) we use the averaging method, we take the expected changes in your AU's income ((are taken)) into consideration so your benefits do not change as much:

     (a) ((Clients that)) If you receive ((their)) your income weekly or every other week ((will have their)), we convert this income converted to a monthly amount. If you are paid: If you are paid:

     (i) Weekly, we multiply your expected pay by 4.3; or

     (ii) Every other week, we multiply your expected pay by 2.15.

     (b) ((Clients that)) In most cases if you receive ((their)) your income other than weekly or every other week ((will have their)), we estimate your monthly income ((estimated)) by:

     (i) Adding the total amount of income ((expected to be received for the)) we expect you to receive for your certification or review period ((of time)); and

     (ii) Dividing by the number of months in the period of time.

     (c) If you receive your yearly income over less than a year because you are self employed or work under a contract, we average this income over the year unless you are:

     (i) Paid on an hourly or piecework basis; or

     (ii) A migrant or seasonal farmworker under WAC 388-406-0021.

     (8) If you report a change in your AU's income, and we expect the change to last for at least a month beyond the month you reported the change, we recalculate your AU's income based on this change.

     (9) If your actual income is different than the income we estimated, we ((will)) do not make you repay an overpayment under chapter 388-410 WAC or increase your benefits ((if your actual income is different than your estimated income)) unless:

     (a) ((The information)) You provided ((was)) incomplete or false information; or

     (b) We made an error in calculating your benefits.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.04.510. 99-23-083, § 388-450-0215, filed 11/16/99, effective 1/1/00; 99-16-024, § 388-450-0215, filed 7/26/99, effective 9/1/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-450-0215, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98. Formerly WAC 388-505-0590.]

     (2) Even if your AU has countable income ((exceeds)) over the payment standard, you ((can)) may still receive additional requirements.

     (3) ((When)) If your countable income is less than the payment standard, we prorate your grant amount based on the date you are eligible.

     (4) We do not prorate ((the)) any approved additional requirements.

     (5) We prorate your grant by:

     (a) Dividing ((the)) your AU's grant amount by the number of days in the first month of eligibility; and

     (b) Multiplying the ((figure)) result in (5)(a) of this section by the number of days from the date of eligibility to the last day of the month.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.04.510. 99-24-008, § 388-450-0225, filed 11/19/99, effective 1/1/00; 99-16-024, § 388-450-0225, filed 7/26/99, effective 9/1/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-450-0225, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.]

     (2) In the month of application, we:

     (a) Count only income your AU received between the first of the month and the date you apply for Basic Food ((assistance)); and

     (b) Disregard any income from a new source that you expect to receive after the date you apply for Basic Food ((assistance)).

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.057, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, and 7 C.F.R. 273.10. 02-17-028, § 388-450-0230, filed 8/12/02, effective 10/1/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.04.510. 99-24-008, § 388-450-0230, filed 11/19/99, effective 1/1/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-450-0230, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.]

     (2) We suspend your AU's benefits for one month when your expected total countable income ((as defined in)) under WAC 388-450-0162:

     (a) ((Exceeds)) Is more than the dollar ((limits for your household size)) limit for your AU; and

     (b) ((Exceeds those)) If over these limits for only that one month((.

     (3) We end your benefits when your expected countable income exceeds the limits for your household size for two or more consecutive months.

     (4) If your expected income drops below the limits for your household size, you may be eligible if you reapply for benefits)).

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.510. 00-01-012, § 388-450-0245, filed 12/3/99, effective 1/1/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-450-0245, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.]

     (1) When you first apply for benefits, the department may require you to provide proof of things that help us decide ((your eligibility)) if you are eligible for benefits. This is also called "verification." The types of things that need to be proven are different for each program.

     (2) After that, we will ask you to give us proof when:

     (a) You report a change;

     (b) We find out that your circumstances have changed; or

     (c) The information we have is questionable ((or)), confusing, or outdated.

     (3) Whenever we ask for proof, we will give you a notice as described in WAC ((388-458-0001)) 388-458-0020.

     (4) You must give us the proof within the time limits described in:

     (a) WAC 388-406-0030 ((and 388-406-0035)) if you are applying for benefits; and

     (b) WAC ((388-458-0001)) 388-458-0020 if you currently receive benefits.

     (5) We will accept any proof that you can easily get when it reasonably supports your statement or circumstances. The proof you give to us must:

     (a) Clearly relate to what you are trying to prove;

     (b) Be from a reliable source; and

     (c) Be accurate, complete, and consistent.

     (6) We cannot make you give us a specific type or form of proof.

     (7) If the only type of proof that you can get costs money, we will pay for it.

     (8) If the proof that you give to us is questionable or confusing, we may:

     (a) Ask you to give us more proof ((or provide)), which may include providing a collateral ((contact ()) statement. A "collateral ((contact)) statement" is ((a statement)) from someone outside of your residence ((that)) who knows your situation(()));

     (b) Schedule a visit to come to your home and verify your circumstances; or

     (c) Send an investigator from the Division of Fraud Investigations (DFI) to make an unannounced visit to your home to verify your circumstances.

     (9) By signing the application, eligibility review, or change of circumstances form, you give us permission to contact other people, agencies, or institutions.

     (10) If you do not give us all of the proof that we have asked for, we will determine if you are eligible based on the information that we already have. If we cannot determine that you are eligible based on this information, we will deny or stop your benefits.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.04.510. 00-08-091, § 388-490-0005, filed 4/5/00, effective 5/6/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-490-0005, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98. Formerly WAC 388-504-0460.]

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