FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1635

C 208 L 03

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Revising reporting requirements for income and resources under the public assistance program.

Sponsors: By Representatives Pettigrew, Boldt, Kagi, Edwards and Kenney; by request of Department of Social and Health Services.

House Committee on Children & Family Services

Senate Committee on Children & Family Services & Corrections

Background:

If an individual receives public assistance or food stamp benefits for which he or she is not eligible, or in an amount greater than that for which he or she is eligible, the portion of the payment to which the individual is not entitled is a recoverable debt due to the state. A recipient of public assistance or food stamp benefits is required to notify the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) within 20 days of the receipt or possession of all income or resources not previously declared to the DSHS. The DSHS is required to advise applicants for assistance that failure to report as required, failure to reveal resources or income, and false statements will result in recovery by the state of any overpayment and may result in criminal prosecution.

Under federal reauthorization of the food stamp program, enacted in 2002, states are granted greater flexibility with regard to income and resources limits and reporting requirements under the program.

Summary:

The requirement relating to notification of the DSHS by recipients of public assistance or food stamp benefits of the receipt or possession of income or resources is changed. Recipients of cash benefits must notify the DSHS of changes to earned income as defined in state law and to liquid resources as defined in state law that would result in ineligibility for cash benefits. Recipients of food benefits must report changes in income that result in ineligibility for food benefits. All recipients must report these changes by the 10th of the month following the month in which the change occurs.

The DSHS is required to make a determination of eligibility within 10 days from the date it receives the reported change from the recipient. The DSHS is required to adopt rules consistent with federal law and regulations for additional reporting requirements.

Votes on Final Passage:

House 91  0

Senate 48  0    (Senate amended)

House 97  0    (House concurred)

Effective: July 27, 2003