Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 04-17-102.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 388-478-0015 Need standards for cash assistance.

     Hearing Location(s): Blake Office Park East (behind Goodyear Courtesy Tire), Rose Room, 4500 10th Avenue S.E., Lacey, WA, on November 9, 2004, at 10:00 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: Not earlier than November 10, 2004.

     Submit Written Comments to: Department of Social and Health Services, Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 45850, Olympia, WA 98504, delivery 4500 10th Avenue S.E., Lacey, WA, e-mail fernaax@dshs.wa.gov, fax (360) 664-6185, by 5 p.m. on November 9, 2004.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Fred Swenson, DSHS Rules Consultant, by November 4, 2004, TTY (360) 664-6178 or (360) 664-6097.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The purpose of this filing is to amend WAC 388-478-0015 Need standards for cash assistance. This rule needs to be changed because it contains need standards for cash assistance programs and DSHS is required by RCW 74.04.770 to establish standards of need for cash assistance programs on an annual basis. These standards are based on studies of actual living costs for basic requirements.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: The rule fulfills the statutory requirement under RCW 74.04.770.

     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, 74.04.770.

     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: Amber Gillum, 1009 College S.E., Lacey, WA 98504, (360) 725-4612.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. This proposed rule does not have an economic impact on small businesses, it only affects DSHS clients by outlining the rules clients must meet in order to be eligible for the department's cash assistance or food benefit programs.

     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) which states in-part, "[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."

September 30, 2004

Brian H. Lindgren, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit

     (1) For assistance units with obligation to pay shelter costs:

Assistance Unit Size	Need Standard
1	$ ((1,036)) 1,021
2	((1,311)) 1,293
3	((1,619)) 1,596
4	((1,910)) 1,883
5	((2,202)) 2,170
6	((2,493)) 2,458
7	((2,881)) 2,841
8	((3,189)) 3,144
9	((3,497)) 3,447
10 or more	((3,804)) 3,750

     (2) For assistance units with shelter provided at no cost:

Assistance Unit Size	Need Standard
1	$ ((511)) 530
2	((647)) 671
3	((799)) 828
4	((943)) 977
5	((1,086)) 1,126
6	((1,230)) 1,275
7	((1,422)) 1,474
8	((1,574)) 1,631
9	((1,725)) 1,788
10 or more	((1,877)) 1,946

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.770, 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057. 03-24-059, § 388-478-0015, filed 12/1/03, effective 1/1/04; 03-23-116, § 388-478-0015, filed 11/18/03, effective 12/19/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.04.510, and 74.04.770. 02-23-029, § 388-478-0015, filed 11/12/02, effective 12/1/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, and 74.04.200. 01-11-108, § 388-478-0015, filed 5/21/01, effective 7/1/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.200. 99-04-056, § 388-478-0015, filed 1/29/99, effective 3/1/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-478-0015, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.]

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