HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                  SB 6225

Title: An act relating to definitions of income and resources.

Brief Description:  Updating definitions of income and resources.

Sponsors:Senators Fairley and Winsley; by request of Department of Social and Health Services.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES

Meeting Date:February 22, 2000.

Bill Analysis Prepared by:  Deborah Frazier  (786-7152).

Background:  Federal regulation of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program permits states to set income and resource definitions for cash assistance. 

Under state law, and the federally approved Medicaid state plan, income and resource definitions for cash assistance are also applicable for medical assistance. 

The federal Food Stamps program specifies certain definitions for income and resources. 

Currently, some of the Washington income and resource definitions for TANF cash assistance, medical assistance, and food stamps are inconsistent.  These inconsistencies can result in confusion for assistance recipients and administrators.

Summary of Bill: Senate Bill 6225:

$permits the Department of Social and Health Services to adopt rules regarding resources that may be considered for eligibility for cash, medical, and food assistance;

$redefines the resource definition of "home" and "household furnishings and effects" to be consistent with federal food assistance regulations; and

$redefines the income definition to exclude in-kind income as countable income for cash and medical assistance, consistent with federal food assistance regulations.

Appropriation:None.

Fiscal Note:Available.

Effective Date:Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.