WSR 16-03-024
PERMANENT RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)
[Filed January 11, 2016, 3:57 p.m., effective February 11, 2016]
Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.
Purpose: The DSHS division of child support (DCS) is amending WAC 388-14A-4200 in order to implement SB 5793 (chapter 124, Laws of 2015), which amended RCW 26.18.190 effective July 24, 2015. SB 5793 amended RCW 26.18.190 to add a new subsection (3) providing as follows: "(3) When the veterans' administration apportions a veteran's benefits to pay child support on behalf of or on account of the child or children of the veteran, the amount paid for the child or children shall be treated for all purposes as if the veteran paid the benefits toward the satisfaction of that person's child support obligation for that period for which benefits are paid."
In order to implement SB 5793, DCS must amend WAC 388-14A-4200 Do I get credit for dependent disability payments paid on my behalf to my children?, to include credit for these benefits paid by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (the new name of the agency formerly known as the veterans' administration).
In addition to the regular rule-making process, DCS filed an emergency rule effective July 24, 2015, under WSR 15-16-004; that emergency rule expired on November 20, 2015. DCS filed a second emergency rule under WSR 15-24-013 in order to maintain the status quo until the effective date of the permanent rule.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 388-14A-4200.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: Implementation of SB 5793 (chapter 124, Laws of 2015), amending RCW 26.18.190, which took effect on July 24, 2015, is authorized under RCW 26.23.030(3), 34.05.220 (1)(a), 34.05.322, and 74.08.090.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 15-23-097 on November 17, 2015.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: January 11, 2016.
Katherine I. Vasquez
Rules Coordinator
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 11-14-065, filed 6/30/11, effective 7/31/11)
WAC 388-14A-4200 Do I get credit for dependent disability payments paid on my behalf to my children?
(1) When the department of labor and industries or a self-insurer pays compensation under chapter 51.32 RCW on behalf of or on account of the child or children of a noncustodial parent (NCP), the division of child support (DCS) treats the amount of compensation the department or self-insurer pays on behalf of the child or children as if the NCP paid the compensation toward the NCP's child support obligations.
(2) When the Social Security administration pays Social Security disability dependency benefits, retirement benefits, or survivors insurance benefits on behalf of or on account of the child or children of an NCP who is a disabled person, a retired person, or a deceased person, DCS treats the amount of benefits paid for the child or children as if the NCP paid the benefits toward the NCP's child support obligation for the period for which benefits are paid.
(3) When the veterans' administration (now known as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) apportions a veteran's benefits to pay child support on behalf of or on account of the child or children of the veteran, DCS treats the amount of benefits paid for the child or children for all purposes as if the veteran paid the benefits toward the satisfaction of that person's child support obligation for the period for which benefits are paid.
(4) Under no circumstances does the NCP have a right to reimbursement of any compensation paid under subsection (1), ((or)) (2), or (3) of this section.