WSR 00-19-097

PROPOSED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)

(Division of Assistance Programs)

[ Filed September 20, 2000, 11:10 a.m. ]

Original Notice.

Exempt from preproposal statement of inquiry under RCW 34.05.310(4).

Title of Rule: WAC 388-478-0060 Income eligibility standards for food assistance.

Purpose: Update standards for food assistance to reflect a change in federal rules.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.04.510, 74.08.090.

Statute Being Implemented: RCW 74.04.510, 74.08.090.

Summary: WAC 388-478-0060 to incorporate the fiscal year 2001 cost-of-living adjustments to the food assistance program.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: The United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service sets the maximum allotments and standards for food assistance. The new standards must be implemented October 1, 2000.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Vicky T. Robinson, Division of Assistance Programs, (360) 413-3031.

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

Rule is necessary because of federal law, Food and Nutrition Service Administrative Notice 00-54.

Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: Amending WAC 388-478-0060 to incorporate the fiscal year 2001 cost-of-living adjustments to the food assistance program.

Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: Updates WAC 388-478-0060 by changing the fiscal year 2001 cost-of-living standards.

No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. This rule does not impact small businesses.

RCW 34.05.328 applies to this rule adoption. This rule meets the definition of a significant rule. However, the department is exempt from preparing the significant analysis required under RCW 34.05.328 for rules relating to client financial eligibility.

Hearing Location: Lacey Government Center (behind Tokyo Bento Restaurant), 1009 College Street S.E., Room 104-B, Lacey, WA 98503, on October 24, 2000, at 10:00 a.m.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Kelly Cooper, DSHS Rules Coordinator, by October 17, 2000, phone (360) 664-6094, TTY (360) 664-6178, e-mail coopekd@dshs.wa.gov.

Submit Written Comments to: Identify WAC Numbers, Kelly Cooper, DSHS Rules Coordinator, Rules and Policies Assistance Unit, P.O. Box 45850, Olympia, WA 98504-5850, fax (360) 664-6185, by October 24, 2000.

Date of Intended Adoption: No earlier than October 25, 2000.

September 15, 2000

Marie Myerchin-Redifer, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit

2858.2
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-24-053, filed 11/29/99, effective 12/30/99)

WAC 388-478-0060
What are my income ((eligibility standards)) limits for food assistance((.))?

(((1) When all household members receive cash benefits (TANF, GA-U, GA-S, etc.) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), they do not have to meet the income standard.

     (2) All households, based on their size, must have income at or below the limits shown in column B to be eligible for food assistance, except as follows:

     (a) Column C is to be used when a household includes a person sixty years or older, or with disabilities;

     (b) Column E is to be used when determining separate household status for an elderly person and a person with permanent disability, as described in WAC 388-408-0035 (1)(d).)) So long as your assistance unit (AU) meets other eligibility requirements for food assistance benefits, your AU must have income at or below the limits in column (B) and (C) to get food assistance, unless you meet one of the exceptions listed below

EFFECTIVE 10-1-((99)) 2000
Column A

Household Size

 Column B

Maximum

Gross Monthly

Income

 Column C

Maximum Net

Monthly Income

 Column D

Maximum

Allotment

 Column E

165% of Poverty

Level
1 $ ((893))

905

 $ ((687))

696

 $ ((127))

130

 $ ((1,133))

1,149
2 ((1,199))

1,219

 ((922))

938

 ((234))

238

 ((1,521))

1,547
3 ((1,504))

1,533

 ((1,157))

1,180

 ((335))

341

 ((1,909))

1,946
4 ((1,810))

1,848

 ((1,392))

1,421

 ((426))

434

 ((2,297))

2,345
5 ((2,115))

2,162

 ((1,627))

1,663

 ((506))

515

 ((2,684))

2,744
6 ((2,421))

2,476

 ((1,862))

1,905

 ((607))

618

 ((3,072))

3,142
7 ((2,726))

2,790

 ((2,097))

2,146

 ((671))

683

 ((3,460))

3,541
8 ((3,032))

3,104

 ((2,332))

2,388

 ((767))

781

 ((3,848))

3,940
9 ((3,338))

3,419

 ((2,567))

2,630

 ((863))

879

 ((4,236))

4,339
10 ((3,644))

3,734

 ((2,802))

2,872

 ((959))

977

 ((4,624))

4,738
Each Additional Member +((306))

315

 +((235))

242

 +((96))

98

 +((388))

399

     Exceptions:

     (1) If your AU is categorically eligible as defined in WAC 388-414-0001, your income will not have to be below the gross or net income standards in columns (B) and (C) to decide if you are eligible. However, we will budget the AU's income to decide the amount of food assistance your AU will receive.

     (2) If your AU includes a member who is sixty years of age or older or has a disability, your income must be at or below the limit in column (C) only.

     (3) If you are sixty years of age or older and are unable to purchase and prepare your own meals because of a permanent disability, we will use column (E) to determine if you can be a separate food assistance unit.

     (4) If your AU has zero income you will receive the maximum allotment amount, based on your household size in column (D).

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.510.      99-24-053, § 388-478-0060, filed 11/29/99, effective 12/30/99.      Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.04.510.      99-16-024, § 388-478-0060, filed 7/26/99, effective 9/1/99.      Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.08.090.      99-05-074, § 388-478-0060, filed 2/17/99, effective 3/20/99.      Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090.      98-16-044, § 388-478-0060, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.]

Reviser's note: RCW 34.05.395 requires the use of underlining and deletion marks to indicate amendments to existing rules. The rule published above varies from its predecessor in certain respects not indicated by the use of these markings.

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