WSR 99-01-027

PROPOSED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES

(Economic Services Administration)

[Filed December 8, 1998, 2:35 p.m.]



Original Notice.

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 98-21-024.

Title of Rule: WAC 388-478-0055 SSI standards and any related rules.

Purpose: Pass along the 1.3 percent federal cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for the supplemental security income (SSI) program effective January 1, 1999.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.08.090.

Statute Being Implemented: RCW 74.04.630.

Summary: Pass along the January 1, 1999, federal COLA for the SSI program.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: Federal requirement.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Barbara Hargrave, Division of Assistance Programs, Lacey Government Center, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, 98504-5470, (360) 413-3104.

Name of Proponent: Department of Social and Health Services, governmental.

Rule is necessary because of federal law, Social Security Act, Sec. 1617; 42 U.S.C. 1382f.

Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: This rule is necessary to update federal SSI standards due to the January 1, 1999, federal cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). This will result in an increase in the SSI standard of around $6.00 a month.

Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: SSI standards are updated.

No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. Not necessary as standards change does not affect small businesses.

RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to this rule adoption. The rule does not fit the definition of a significant legislative rule.

Hearing Location: Lacey Government Center (behind Tokyo Bento Restaurant), 1009 College Street S.E., Room 104-B, Lacey, WA 98503, on January 26, 1999, at 10:00 a.m.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Paige Wall by January 15, 1999, phone (360) 902-7540, TTY (360) 902-8324, e-mail pwall@dshs.wa.gov.

Submit Written Comments to: Identify WAC Numbers, Paige Wall, Rules Coordinator, Rules and Policies Assistance Unit, P.O. Box 45850, Olympia, WA 98504-5850, fax (360) 902-8292, by January 26, 1999.

Date of Intended Adoption: No sooner than January 27, 1999.

December 4, 1998

Marie Myerchin-Redifer, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit

SHS-2502.2

AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 98-16-044, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98)



WAC 388-478-0055  SSI standards. (1) Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a cash assistance program for needy individuals and couples who meet federal disability guidelines as aged, blind or disabled. Since the SSI program began in January 1974, the state of Washington has supplemental the federal benefit level with state funds, known as the SSI state supplement. Persons found eligible for SSI receive cash assistance based on the combined federal and state supplement benefit levels, minus countable income.

(2) Effective January 1, ((1998)) 1999, the federal, state and combined benefit levels for an eligible individual and couple are:

(a) Area I: King, Pierce, Snohomish, Thurston, and Kitsap Counties.

(i) Living alone (own household or alternate care, except nursing homes or medical institutions.



living alone Federal Benefit Level State Supplement Benefit Level Combined Federal/State Benefit Level
Individual $((494.00)) 500.00 $27.00 $((521.00)) 527.00
Individual with One Essential Person1 $((741.00)) 750.00 $21.00 $((762.00)) 771.00
Couple, both Eligible $((741.00)) 751.00 $21.00 $((762.00)) 772.00
Couple with One Essential Person2 $((741.00)) 751.00 $21.00 $((762.00)) 772.00
Couple includes Ineligible Spouse $((494.00)) 500.67 $167.20 $((661.20)) 667.87


(ii) Shared living (supplied shelter).



shared living Federal Benefit Level State Supplement Benefit Level Combined Benefit Level
Individual $((329.34)) 333.34 $4.81 $((334.15)) 338.15
Individual with One Essential Person3 $((494.00)) 500.00 $5.30 $((499.30)) 505.30
Couple, Both Eligible $((494.00)) 500.67 $5.30 $((499.30)) 505.97
Couple includes One Essential Person4 $((494.00)) 500.67 $5.30 $((499.30)) 505.97
Couple includes Ineligible Spouse $((329.34)) 333.34 $102.76 $((432.10)) 436.10


(b) Area II: All counties other than the above.

(i) Living alone (own household or alternate care, except nursing homes or medical institutions).



living alone Federal Benefit Level State Supplement Benefit Level Combined Federal/State Benefit Level
Individual $((494.00)) 500.00 $6.55 $((500.55)) 506.55
Individual with One Essential Person1 $((741.00)) 750.00 $0 $((741.00)) 750.00
Couple, Both Eligible $((741.00)) 751.00 $0 $((741.00)) 751.00
Couple with One Essential Person2 $((741.00)) 751.00 $0 $((741.00)) 751.00
Couple includes Ineligible Spouse $((494.00)) 500.67 $137.25 $((631.25)) 637.92


(ii) Shared living (supplied shelter).



shared living Federal Benefit Level State Supplement Benefit Level Combined Benefit Level
Individual $((329.34)) 333.34 $4.81 $((334.15)) 338.15
Individual with One Essential Person3 $((494.00)) 500.00 $5.30 $((499.30)) 505.30
Couple, Both Eligible $((494.00)) 500.67 $5.30 $((499.30)) 505.97
Couple includes One Essential Person4 $((494.00)) 500.67 $5.30 $((499.30)) 505.97
Couple includes Ineligible Spouse $((329.34)) 333.34 $102.76 $((432.10)) 436.10


(c) Residing in a medical institution: Area I and II



medical institution Federal Benefit Level State Supplement Benefit Level Combined Benefit Level
Individual $30.00 $11.62 $41.62

(d) Mandatory income level (MIL) for grandfathered claimant. "Grandfathered" refers to a person who qualified for assistance from the state as aged, blind, or disabled, was converted from the state to federal disability assistance under SSI in January 1974, and has remained continuously eligible for SSI since that date.

The combined federal/state SSI benefit level for MIL clients is the higher of the following:

(i) The state assistance standard they received in December 1973, except for those converted in a "D" living arrangement (residing in a medical institution at the time of conversion), plus the federal cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) since then; or

(ii) The current standard.



1 Eligible individual with more than one essential person living alone: $((494.00)) 500.00 for the eligible individual plus $((247.00)) 250.00 for each essential person (no state supplement).

2 Eligible couple with one or more essential persons living alone: $((741.00)) 751.00 for eligible couple plus $((247.00)) 250.00 for each essential person (no state supplement).

3 Eligible individual with more than one essential person in shared living: $((329.34)) 333.34 for eligible individual plus $((164.66)) 166.66 for each essential person (no state supplement).

4 Eligible couple with one or more essential persons in shared living: $((494.00)) 500.67 for eligible couple plus $((164.66)) 166.66 for each essential person (no state supplement).



[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-478-0055, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98. Formerly WAC 388-511-1115.]



Reviser's note: The typographical error in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.

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