PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)
Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department plans to amend WAC 388-452-0005 Do I have to be interviewed in order to get benefits?, related to interview requirements for the Washington Basic Food program.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.04.515, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120, and 74.08A.903.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: WAC 388-452-0005 establishes when households must have an interview in order to be eligible for department programs and indicates when households may have a telephone interview instead of having an interview at the local office.
The department will amend rules for Basic Food consistent with approved waivers to interview requirements under 7 C.F.R. § 273.2(e) related to required interviews for the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP). SNAP was previously known as the food stamp program.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) publishes federal regulations for the supplemental nutrition assistance program in the Federal Register. Rules published in the federal register are incorporated into the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations. FNS also issues administrative notices and interim guidance to inform states of new program requirements that are not yet in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations.
The state legislature authorizes the department to administer the food stamp program and food assistance program for legal immigrants under RCW 74.04.500, 74.04.510, and 74.08A.120.
DSHS incorporates regulations from the federal agencies, exercises state options, and implements approved waivers of federal regulatory requirements by adopting administrative rules for food assistance programs administered under the Washington state combined application program (WASHCAP) and Washington Basic Food program.
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 John Camp, Lead Policy Analyst, Division of Employment and Assistance Programs, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504-5470, phone (360) 725-4616, fax (360) 725-4905, e-mail campjx@dshs.wa.gov.
November 4, 2008
Stephanie E. Schiller
Rules Coordinator