Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 12-17-136.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: The community services division is proposing to amend WAC 388-310-0800 WorkFirst -- Support services, to:

•	Remove individual dollar limits for each support service type while still keeping the $3000.00 per person annual limit in place.
•	Remove "public transportation" reference from the mileage support service type as "public transportation" is a separate support service type.
•	Clarify that the "mileage" type is a "reimbursement."

     Hearing Location(s): Office Building 2, Lookout Room, DSHS Headquarters, 1115 Washington, Olympia, WA 98504 (public parking at 11th and Jefferson. A map is available at http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/msa/rpau/RPAU-OB-2directions.html), on November 27, 2012, at 10:00 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: Not earlier than November 28, 2012.

     Submit Written Comments to: DSHS Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 45850, Olympia, WA 98504, e-mail DSHSRPAURulesCoordinator@dshs.wa.gov, fax (360) 664-6185, by 5 p.m. on November 27, 2012.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Jennisha Johnson, DSHS rules consultant, by November 6, 2012, TTY (360) 664-6178 or (360) 664-6094 or by e-mail at jennisha.johnson@dshs.wa.gov.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The proposed amendments will remove the support service types dollar limits while still keeping the $3000.00 per person annual limit in place, and better clarify the transportation service categories for WorkFirst participants.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: The proposed amendments are necessary to increase the flexibility of the support service benefits to better meet WorkFirst participants' needs and better facilitate participation in WorkFirst activities.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090.

     Statute Being Implemented: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090.

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Name of Proponent: Department of social and health services, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Kerry Judge-Kemp, 712 Pear Street S.E., Olympia, 98501, (360) 725-4630.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. The proposed changes do not have an economic impact on small business.

     A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. These amendments are exempt as allowed under RCW 34.05.328 (5)(b)(vii): "[t]his section does not apply to rules of the department of social and health services relating only to client medical or financial eligibility and rules concerning liability for care of dependents."

October 18, 2012

Katherine I. Vasquez

Rules Coordinator

     People who can get support services include:

     (a) WorkFirst participants who receive a TANF cash grant;

     (b) Sanctioned WorkFirst participants during the required participation before the sanction is lifted or applicants who were terminated while in noncompliance sanction who are doing activities required to reopen cash assistance (WAC 388-310-1600);

     (c) Unmarried or pregnant minors who are income eligible to receive TANF and are:

     (i) Living in a department approved living arrangement (WAC 388-486-0005) and are meeting the school requirements (WAC 388-486-0010); or

     (ii) Are actively working with a social worker and need support services to remove the barriers that are preventing them from living in a department approved living arrangement and/or meeting the school requirements.

     (d) American Indians who receive a TANF cash grant and have identified specific needs due to location or employment.

     (2) Why do I receive support services?

     Although not an entitlement, you may receive support services for the following reasons:

     (a) To help you participate in work and WorkFirst activities that lead to independence.

     (b) To help you to participate in job search, accept a job, keep working, advance in your job, and/or increase your wages.

     (c) You can also get help in paying your child care expenses through the working connections child care assistance program. (Chapter 170-290 WAC describes the rules for this child care assistance program.)

     (3) What type of support services may I receive and what limits apply?

     There is a limit of three thousand dollars per person per program year (July 1st to June 30th) for WorkFirst support services you may receive. ((Most)) Some types of support services have dollar ((limits)) limit restrictions.

     The chart below shows the types of support services that are available for the different activities (as indicated by an "x") and the ((limits)) restrictions that apply.

     Definitions:

     • Work-related activities include looking for work or participating in workplace activities, such as community jobs or a work experience position.

     •• Safety-related activities include meeting significant or emergency family safety needs, such as dealing with family violence. ((When approved, safety-related support services can exceed the dollar or category limits listed below.))

     ••• Some support services are available if you need them for other required activities in your IRP.

Type of support service	((Limit)) Restrictions	• Work	•• Safety	••• Other
Reasonable accommodation for employment	(($1,000 for each request))	x
Clothing/uniforms	(($75 per adult per program year))	x
Diapers	(($50 per child per month))	x
Haircut	(($40 per each request))	x
Lunch	Same rate as established by OFM for state employees	x
Personal hygiene	(($50 per adult per program year))	x
Professional, trade, association, union and bonds	(($300 for each fee))	x
Relocation related to employment (can include rent, housing, and deposits)	(($1,000 per program year))	x
Short-term lodging and meals in connection with job interviews/tests	Same rate as established by OFM for state employees	x
Tools/equipment	(($500 per program year))	x
Car repair needed to restore car to operable condition	(($250 per program year))	x	x
License/fees	(($130 per program year))	x	x
Mileage((, transportation, and/or public transportation)) reimbursement	Same rate as established by OFM for state employees	x	x
Transportation allotment	((Up to: $25 for immediate need, or $40 twice a month if you live within 40 miles of your local WorkFirst office, or $60 twice a month if you live more than 40 miles from your local WorkFirst office.))	x	x
Counseling	((No limit))	x	x	x
Educational expenses	(($300 for each request if it is an approved activity in your IRP and you do not qualify for sufficient student financial aid to meet the cost))	x		x
Medical exams (not covered by medicaid)	(($150 per exam))	x	x	x
Public transportation	(($150 per month))	x	x	x
Testing-diagnostic	(($200 each))	x	x	x

     (4) What are the other requirements to receive support services?

     Other restrictions on receiving support services are determined by the department or its agents. They will consider whether:

     (a) It is within available funds; and

     (b) It does not assist, promote, or deter religious activity; and

     (c) There is no other way to meet the cost.

     (5) What happens to my support services if I do not participate as required?

     The department will give you ten days notice, following the rules in WAC 388-310-1600, then discontinue your support services until you participate as required.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, and 74.08.090. 10-22-061, § 388-310-0800, filed 10/29/10, effective 12/1/10; 09-06-053, § 388-310-0800, filed 2/26/09, effective 4/1/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050 and 74.04.055. 08-18-045, § 388-310-0800, filed 8/29/08, effective 10/1/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.08A.260, chapter 74.08A RCW. 06-10-035, § 388-310-0800, filed 4/27/06, effective 6/1/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.04.050, 74.08A.340. 05-02-014, § 388-310-0800, filed 12/27/04, effective 1/27/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.04.050, 74.08A.340, and 2003 c 10 § 207. 03-21-154, § 388-310-0800, filed 10/22/03, effective 10/27/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.04.050, 78.08A.340, and [WSR] 99-14-043. 02-11-130, § 388-310-0800, filed 5/21/02, effective 7/1/02; 01-17-053, § 388-310-0800, filed 8/13/01, effective 9/1/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.04.050, and 78.08A.340. 00-13-106, § 388-310-0800, filed 6/21/00, effective 7/1/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.04.050. 99-14-043, § 388-310-0800, filed 6/30/99, effective 7/31/99; 97-20-129, § 388-310-0800, filed 10/1/97, effective 11/1/97.]