Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department is planning to amend WAC 388-400-0055 Who is eligible for the pregnant women assistance (PWA) program?, 388-400-0060 Who is eligible for aged, blind or disabled (ABD) cash assistance?, 388-400-0070 Who is eligible for referral to the housing and essential needs (HEN) program?, and other related rules as may be required.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Amendments planned under this filing will expand ABD and HEN referral program eligibility to individuals released to home monitoring or detention, aligning with rules governing other public assistance programs including basic food and temporary assistance for needy families and supporting reduced recidivism by assisting incarcerated individuals' successful reentry into communities. Additional amendments are planned to implement recent state legislation extending a referral to the HEN program for PWA program recipients.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Process for Developing New Rule: The department of social and health services (DSHS) welcomes the public to take part in developing rules. Anyone interested should contact the staff person identified below. At a later date, DSHS will file a proposal with the office of the code reviser with a notice of proposed rule making. A copy of the proposal 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 Daisha Gomillion, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504-5470, phone 360-725-4781, fax 360-725-4904, email daisha.gomillion@dshs.wa.gov.