WSR 97-18-086

PERMANENT RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES

(Economic Services Administration)

(Public Assistance)

[Filed September 3, 1997, 11:27 a.m., effective October 1, 1997]

Date of Adoption: September 2, 1997.

Purpose: Updates utility deductions used in calculating food stamp benefit amounts.

Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 388-49-505 Utility allowance.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.04.510.

Other Authority: 7 CFR 273.9 (2)(6)(vi) requires the state review and adjust the utility allowances each year.

Adopted under notice filed as WSR 97-15-086 on July 17, 1997.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, amended 1, repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, amended 1, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Other Findings Required by Other Provisions of Law as Precondition to Adoption or Effectiveness of Rule: Federal law requires this amendment be effective October 1, 1997.

Effective Date of Rule: October 1, 1997.

September 2, 1997

Merry A. Kogut, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit

AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 96-22-101, filed 11/6/96, effective 12/7/96)

WAC 388-49-505 Utility allowances. (1) The department shall:

(a) Establish the following utility allowances for use in calculating shelter costs:

(i) A standard utility allowance for households incurring any separate utility charges for heating or cooling costs;

(ii) A limited utility allowance for households, without heating or cooling costs, incurring any separate utility charges other than telephone costs; and

(iii) A telephone allowance for households incurring separate charges for phone service and not claiming the standard or limited utility allowance.

(b) Obtain food and consumer service approval of the methodology used to establish utility allowances.

(2) The standard utility allowance shall be two hundred twenty-three dollars.

(3) The limited utility allowance shall be one hundred sixty-((two)) four dollars.

(4) The telephone allowance shall be twenty-nine dollars.