WSR 06-02-076

PROPOSED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Health and Recovery Services Administration)

[ Filed January 3, 2006, 4:32 p.m. ]

     Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 05-22-097.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 388-478-0070 Monthly income and countable resource standards for medically needy (MN); and 388-478-0080 Supplemental security income (SSI) standards; SSI-related categorically needy income level (CNIL); and countable resource standards.

     Hearing Location(s): Blake Office Park East, Rose Room, 4500 10th Avenue S.E., Lacey, WA (one block north of the intersection of Pacific Avenue S.E. and Alhadeff Lane, behind Goodyear Tire. A map or directions are available at http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/msa/rpau/docket.html or by calling (360) 664-6097), on February 7, 2006, at 10:00 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: Not earlier than February 8, 2006.

     Submit Written Comments to: DSHS 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 5:00 p.m. on February 7, 2006.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Schiller, DSHS Rules Consultant, by February 3, 2006, TTY (360) 664-6178 or (360) 664-6097 or by e-mail at schilse@dshs.wa.gov.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The federal SSI standard is increasing effective January 1, 2006, due to a change in federal standards. This change will affect the SSI-related standards as well as the categorically needy income level (CNIL) and medically needy income level (MNIL).

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: Under Section 1924 of the Social Security Act and as directed by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the department must change these standards every January.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.500, and 74.09.530.

     Statute Being Implemented: Section 1924 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396r-5).

     Rule is necessary because of federal law, 42 U.S.C. 1396r-5.

     Name of Proponent: Department of social and health services, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Wendy Forslin, P.O. Box 45534, Olympia, WA 98504-5534, (360) 725-1343.

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

     A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. This revision is exempt from the cost-benefit analysis requirement per RCW 34.05.328 (5)(b)(vii) regarding rules related to DSHS financial or medical eligibility.

December 27, 2005

Andy Fernando, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit

3616.2
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 05-06-090, filed 3/1/05, effective 4/1/05)

WAC 388-478-0070   Monthly income and countable resource standards for medically needy (MN).   (1) Beginning January 1, ((2005)) 2006, the medically needy income level (MNIL) is:


(a) One person $((579.00))

603

(b) Two persons $((592))

603

(c) Three persons $667
(d) Four persons $742
(e) Five persons $858
(f) Six persons $975
(g) Seven persons $1,125
(h) Eight persons $1,242
(i) Nine persons $1,358
(j) Ten persons and more $1,483

     (2) The MNIL standard for a person who meets institutional status requirements is in WAC 388-513-1305(3).

     (3) Countable resource standards for the MN program is:


(a) One person $2,000
(b) Two persons $3,000
(c) For each additional family member add $50

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.500, and 42 U.S.C. 9902(2). 05-06-090, § 388-478-0070, filed 3/1/05, effective 4/1/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.500, and 42 U.S.C. 1396r-5. 02-10-116, § 388-478-0070, filed 4/30/02, effective 5/31/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.500, and Section 1924 (42 U.S.C. 1396R-5). 01-12-073, § 388-478-0070, filed 6/4/01, effective 7/5/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.04.050, 74.04.057, and 74.09.575. 00-10-095, § 388-478-0070, filed 5/2/00, effective 5/2/00; 99-11-054, § 388-478-0070, filed 5/17/99, effective 6/17/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-478-0070, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98. Formerly WAC 388-507-0710, 388-507-0720, 388-511-1115, 388-518-1820, 388-518-1830, 388-518-1840 and 388-518-1850.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 05-06-090, filed 3/1/05, effective 4/1/05)

WAC 388-478-0080   Supplemental security income (SSI) standards; SSI-related categorically needy income level (CNIL); and countable resource standards.   (1) The SSI payment standards, also known as the federal benefit rate (FBR), beginning January 1, ((2005)) 2006 are:

     (a) Living alone (in own home or alternate care, does not include nursing homes or medical situations)


Individual $((579))

603

Individual with an ineligible spouse $((579))

603

Couple $((869))

904

     (b) Shared living (in the home of another)


Individual $((386))

402

Individual with an ineligible spouse $((386))

402

Couple $((579))

603

     (c) Living in an institution


Individual $30
     (2) See WAC 388-478-0055 for the amount of the state supplemental payments (SSP) for SSI recipients.

     (3) The SSI-related CNIL standards are:


(a) Single person $((579.00))

603

(b) Married couple - both eligible ((869.00))

904

(c) Supplied shelter - single person ((386.00))

402

(d) Supplied shelter couple - both eligible ((579.00))

603

     (4) The countable resource standards for SSI and SSI-related CN medical programs are:


(a) One person $2,000
(b) A legally married couple $3,000

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.500, and 42 U.S.C. 9902(2). 05-06-090, § 388-478-0080, filed 3/1/05, effective 4/1/05; 04-16-107, § 388-478-0080, filed 8/3/04, effective 9/3/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.500, and 42 U.S.C. 1396r-5. 02-10-116, § 388-478-0080, filed 4/30/02, effective 5/31/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.500, and Section 1924 (42 U.S.C. 1396R-5). 01-12-073, § 388-478-0080, filed 6/4/01, effective 7/5/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.04.050, 74.04.057, and 74.09.575. 00-10-095, § 388-478-0080, filed 5/2/00, effective 5/2/00; 99-11-054, § 388-478-0080, filed 5/17/99, effective 6/17/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-478-0080, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98. Formerly WAC 388-511-1110.]