(1) Applicants must meet the requirements in RCW 18.79.440 to be eligible for the substance use disorder monitoring stipend program (stipend program). All disbursements of stipend program funds are subject to availability of budgeted funds.

(2) To be eligible for the stipend program, a person must:

(a) Hold an active, inactive, or suspended license issued pursuant to this chapter;

(b) Submit an application on forms provided by the board;

(c) Be actively participating in the board's approved substance use disorder monitoring program (WHPS program) or have completed the WHPS program within six months of submission of an application for the stipend program; and

(d) Have a demonstrated need for financial assistance with the expenses incurred in connection with participation in the WHPS program.

(3) A person is not eligible for the stipend program if they have previously applied for and participated in the stipend program and had benefits paid on their behalf from the stipend program.

(4) The board may defray up to 80 percent of each out-of-pocket expense deemed eligible for defrayment under this section. The board will not pay stipend program funds directly to any person participating in the stipend program. The board will pay out-of-pocket expenses directly to entities providing services to the person participating in the stipend program.

(5) Out-of-pocket expenses eligible for defrayment under this section include the costs of substance use evaluation, treatment, other ancillary services, including drug testing, participation in professional peer support groups, and any other expenses deemed appropriate by the board.

(6) A person participating in the stipend program established in this section shall document and submit their out-of-pocket expenses in a manner specified by the board.

(7) Eligibility:

(a) A person may participate in the stipend program by having the stipend program defray authorized out-of-pocket expenses for one monitoring contract period only, including extensions of the contract monitoring period directed by WHPS.  

(b) An applicant who was approved for the stipend program for a monitoring contract period without having benefits paid from the stipend program on their behalf, and later reenters the WHPS program, may be approved to participate in the stipend program.

(c) Stipend program applications are approved for a 12-month period. Persons participating in the stipend program shall submit an application every 12 months to renew their participation in the stipend program.

(d) A person may participate in the stipend program for a maximum of five years from the approval date of the initial stipend program application. Eligibility for the stipend program terminates upon successful completion of or discharge from the WHPS program.

(e) An applicant who previously applied for the stipend program but whose application was denied is eligible to reapply if the applicant's financial circumstances have changed.

(8) To establish financial need for the stipend program, a person shall provide documentary proof that total household income is less than 400 percent of the federal poverty level as determined under 42 U.S.C. 9902(2) and published annually by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

(9) Application forms and documentary proof provided to the board under this section by applicants will be submitted under penalty of perjury and, if shown to be false, could subject the applicant to criminal penalties or other adverse action including, but not limited to, adverse action for moral turpitude, misrepresentation, or fraud.

(10) The stipend program may defray the cost of eligible out-of-pocket expenses incurred by a stipend program participant up to six months prior to application submission.

(11) The board may adopt, publish, and use procedures, forms, guidelines, and other documents necessary for implementation of this rule. Such procedures, forms, guidelines, and documents may be revised, amended, or discontinued as necessary in the sole discretion of the board.