Subject of Possible Rule Making: The division of employment and assistance programs is proposing to amend WAC 388-418-0020 How does the department determine the date a change affects my benefits?, to comply with the governor's plain talk initiative. The department is also proposing to clarify the effective date when a change causes an increase in benefits and clarify when a change causes a specific effective date.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, and 74.08.090.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: This rule change is needed to clarify the effective date of changes under subsection (5) shall never be in the month that the change is reported, to explain when to implement changes under subsection (11)(b) and to comply with the governor's plain talk initiative.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

     Process for Developing New Rule: DSHS welcomes the public to take part in developing the rules. Anyone interested should contact the staff person identified below. At a later date, DSHS will file a proposal with the office of the code reviser with a notice of proposed rule making. A copy of the proposal will be sent to everyone on the mailing list and to anyone who requests a copy.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Bill Callahan, Program Manager, Division of Employment and Assistance Programs, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504-5470, phone (360) 725-4619, fax (360) 493-3493, e-mail callalw@dshs.wa.gov.

February 4, 2008

Stephanie E. Schiller

Rules Coordinator

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