WSR 97-14-109

EMERGENCY RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES

(Economic Services Administration)

(Public Assistance)

[Filed July 2, 1997, 11:30 a.m., effective August 1, 1997]

Date of Adoption: June 30, 1997.

Purpose: To reduce workload in Community Services Offices by increasing the minimally acceptable time frame for reviewing client eligibility from six months to twelve months.

Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 388-245-1150.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.04.050.

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.

Reasons for this Finding: This rule is client beneficial. It will ensure that clients do not make unnecessary visits to the Community Services Offices.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, amended 1, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, amended 1, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Effective Date of Rule: August 1, 1997.

June 30, 1997

Merry A. Kogut, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit

AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending Order 3732, filed 5/3/94, effective 6/3/94)

WAC 388-245-1150 Periodic and special review of eligibility. (1) The department shall redetermine the eligibility of financial assistance recipients at least once in every ((six)) twelve months of continuous receipt of assistance. The redetermination shall include:

(a) A review of each eligibility factor and an evaluation of any change occurring since eligibility was previously established or reviewed; and

(b) For ((AFDC)) TANF recipients, a face-to-face interview at least once every twelve months.

(2) At each periodic review of eligibility the department shall provide the recipient information regarding:

(a) Significant changes in public assistance laws or department rules not previously discussed which may affect the recipient; and

(b) The recipient's legal rights and responsibilities in connection with public assistance.

(3) The department shall complete a full review if a sufficient number of factors have changed to require a redetermination of eligibility.