WSR 21-09-036
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)
[Filed April 13, 2021, 2:59 p.m., effective April 13, 2021, 2:59 p.m.]
Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.
Purpose: The department is adopting WAC 388-437-0002 What is the minimum emergency food assistance allotment an assistance unit may receive?, to expand adjustments to food assistance benefit issuances implemented under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201, Section 2302) and updated guidance from Food and Nutrition Services issued on April 1, 2021.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New WAC 388-437-0002.
Other Authority: H.R. 6201.
Under RCW
34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest; and that state or federal law or federal rule or a federal deadline for state receipt of federal funds requires immediate adoption of a rule.
Reasons for this Finding: This emergency rule is required to implement provisions from an April 1, 2021, memo issued by Food and Nutrition Service containing new guidance for the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201, Section 2302) related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that supports preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare through increased access to food assistance.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: April 13, 2021.
Katherine I. Vasquez
Rules Coordinator
SHS-4862.1
NEW SECTION
WAC 388-437-0002What is the minimum emergency food assistance allotment an assistance unit may receive?
(1) Beginning April 2021, assistance units (AUs) that receive less than ninety-five dollars in emergency allotments under WAC 388-437-0005(1) will receive a minimum emergency allotment of ninety-five dollars.
(2) This emergency allotment minimum will continue each month as authorized under WAC 388-437-0005(2).