Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

     Purpose: The community services division is amending WAC 388-406-0015 Can I get Basic Food right away?, 388-472-0005 What are my rights and responsibilities?, and 388-492-0050 How do I apply for WASHCAP?

     The department is amending the expedited processing requirement for Basic Food applications from five calendar days to seven calendar days to be consistent with federal regulations for the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) under 7 C.F.R. 273.2(i).

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 388-406-0015, 388-472-0005, and 388-492-0050.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.08.010.

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 11-03-077 on January 18, 2011.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 3, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 3, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: March 7, 2011.

Katherine I. Vasquez

Rules Coordinator

     (2) To get expedited service, you must provide proof of who you are and meet one of the following conditions:

     (a) Have gross monthly income (before taxes), minus exclusions as defined in WAC 388-450-0015, of under one hundred fifty dollars and have available cash of one hundred dollars or less; or

     (b) Have gross monthly income (before taxes), minus exclusions as defined in WAC 388-450-0015, plus available cash of less than your total shelter costs (rent or mortgage and the utility allowance you are eligible for under WAC 388-450-0195); or

     (c) Be a destitute migrant or seasonal farm worker household, under WAC 388-406-0021, and your household's available cash is one hundred dollars or less.

     (3) If you are eligible for expedited service and are not required to have an office interview under WAC 388-452-0005, you can have a telephone interview and still get benefits within ((five)) seven days.

     (4) If you are applying for Basic Food, "day one" of your ((five-day)) seven-day expedited service period starts on the:

     (a) Day after the date you filed your application;

     (b) Date you are released from a public institution; or

     (c) Date of your interview if you:

     (i) Waived your expedited interview and we decide you are eligible for expedited service during your rescheduled interview; or

     (ii) Were screened as ineligible for expedited service and we later determine you are eligible for the service during your interview.

     (5) If you get expedited service, we only require verification of your identity to provide your first benefit issuance within ((five)) seven days. Other required verifications may be postponed.

     (6) All postponed verification must be provided for your ongoing eligibility to be determined and any additional benefits to issue. If you applied:

     (a) On or before the 15th of the month, we issue one month's benefits and you have up to thirty days from the date of application to give us any postponed verification; or

     (b) On or after the 16th of the month, we issue two months' benefits and you have until the end of the second month to give us any postponed verification.

     (7) If we can determine ongoing eligibility at your interview and do not need to postpone any required verifications, we will assign you a regular certification period as described in WAC 388-416-0005.

     (8) If you have received expedited service in the past, you can get this service again if you meet the requirements listed in subsection (2) above and you:

     (a) Gave us all the information we needed to determine ongoing eligibility for your last expedited service benefit period; or

     (b) Were certified under normal processing standards after your last expedited certification.

     (9) If you reapply for benefits:

     (a) Before your certification period ends, you are not eligible for expedited service;

     (b) After your certification period ends, your ((five-day)) seven-day expedited service period is the same as a new application;

     (c) While you receive transitional food assistance as described in chapter 388-489 WAC, you are not eligible for expedited service.

     (10) If you are denied expedited service, you can ask for a department review of our decision. We review the decision within two working days.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, and 74.08A.010. 05-22-075, § 388-406-0015, filed 10/31/05, effective 12/1/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090. 03-22-061, § 388-406-0015, filed 11/3/03, effective 12/4/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, and 20 C.F.R. 416.2130. 02-20-068, § 388-406-0015, filed 9/30/02, effective 10/31/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.510 and 74.08.090. 01-18-036, § 388-406-0015, filed 8/28/01, effective 10/1/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.510 and Section 11 (e)(9) of the Food Stamp Act. 00-06-015, § 388-406-0015, filed 2/22/00, effective 4/1/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.04.510. 99-16-024, § 388-406-0015, filed 7/26/99, effective 9/1/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-406-0015, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.]

     (1) If you apply for or get cash, food or medical assistance benefits you have the right to:

     (a) Have your rights and responsibilities explained to you and given to you in writing;

     (b) Be treated politely and fairly no matter what your race, color, political beliefs, national origin, religion, age, gender, disability or birthplace;

     (c) Request benefits by giving us an application form using any method listed under WAC 388-406-0010. You can ask for and get a receipt when you give us an application or other documents;

     (d) Have your application processed as soon as possible. Unless your application is delayed under WAC 388-406-0040, we process your application for benefits within thirty days, except:

     (i) If you are eligible for expedited services under WAC 388-406-0015, you get food assistance within ((five)) seven days. If we deny you expedited services, you have a right to ask that the decision be reviewed by the department within two working days from the date we denied your request for expedited services;

     (ii) If you are pregnant and otherwise eligible, you get medical within fifteen working days.

     (iii) ((General assistance (GAU))) Disability lifeline (DL), alcohol or drug addiction treatment (ADATSA), or medical assistance may take up to forty-five days; and

     (iv) Medical assistance requiring a disability decision may take up to sixty days.

     (e) Be given at least ten days to give us information needed to determine your eligibility and be given more time if you ask for it. If we do not have the information needed to decide your eligibility, then we may deny your request for benefits;

     (f) Have the information you give us kept private. We may share some facts with other agencies for efficient management of federal and state programs;

     (g) Ask us not to collect child support or medical support if you fear the noncustodial parent may harm you, your children, or the children in your care;

     (h) Ask for extra money to help pay for temporary emergency shelter costs, such as an eviction or a utility shutoff, if you get TANF;

     (i) Get a written notice, in most cases, at least ten days before we make changes to lower or stop your benefits;

     (j) Ask for ((a fair)) an administrative hearing if you disagree with a decision we make. You can also ask a supervisor or administrator to review our decision or action without affecting your right to a fair hearing;

     (k) Have interpreter or translator services given to you at no cost and without delay;

     (l) Refuse to speak to a fraud investigator. You do not have to let an investigator into your home. You may ask the investigator to come back at another time. Such a request will not affect your eligibility for benefits; and

     (m) Get help from us to register to vote.

     (2) If you get cash, food, or medical assistance, you are responsible to:

     (a) Tell us if you are pregnant, in need of immediate medical care, experiencing an emergency such as having no money for food, or facing an eviction so we can process your request for benefits as soon as possible;

     (b) Report the following expenses so we can decide if you can get more food assistance:

     (i) Shelter costs;

     (ii) Child or dependent care costs;

     (iii) Child support that is legally obligated;

     (iv) Medical expenses; and

     (v) Self-employment expenses.

     (c) Report changes as required under WAC 388-418-0005 and 388-418-0007.

     (d) Give us the information needed to determine eligibility;

     (e) Give us proof of information when needed. If you have trouble getting proof, we help you get the proof or contact other persons or agencies for it;

     (f) Cooperate in the collection of child support or medical support unless you fear the noncustodial parent may harm you, your children, or the children in your care;

     (g) Apply for and get any benefits from other agencies or programs prior to getting cash assistance from us;

     (h) Complete reports and reviews when asked;

     (i) Look for, get, and keep a job or participate in other activities if required for cash or food assistance;

     (j) Give your medical identification card or letter of eligibility from us to your medical care provider; and

     (k) Cooperate with the quality control review process.

     (3) If you are eligible for necessary supplemental accommodation (NSA) services under chapter 388-472 WAC, we help you comply with the requirements of this section.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055. 08-18-007, § 388-472-0005, filed 8/22/08, effective 9/22/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, and 74.08.090. 02-14-023, § 388-472-0005, filed 6/21/02, effective 7/1/02; 01-10-104, § 388-472-0005, filed 5/1/01, effective 6/1/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.04.510. 99-17-025, § 388-472-0005, filed 8/10/99, effective 10/1/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-472-0005, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98. Formerly WAC 388-504-0430, 388-504-0440, 388-504-0450 and 388-505-0560.]

     (2) If you want food benefits, your SSA worker will ask you WASHCAP food eligibility questions when you have your SSI interview.

     (3) If you are eligible for WASHCAP food benefits, your benefits will start the first of the month after the month you apply and are eligible for ongoing SSI benefits.

     (4) If you need food benefits in ((five)) seven days or less, you must apply for expedited services at:

     (a) Any community services office (CSO);

     (b) Any home and community services office (HCS) if you get long-term care services; or

     (c) Any SSA office if you give them an application for Basic Food expedited services when you apply for SSI. SSA forwards the Basic Food application to the local CSO to process.

     (5) If you want Basic Food benefits before you get SSI, you must apply at:

     (a) SSA if you give them a Basic Food application when you apply for SSI;

     (b) Any CSO; or

     (c) Any HCS office if you get long-term care services.

     (6) If you already receive SSI and want WASHCAP food benefits, you can apply at:

     (a) Any SSA office;

     (b) Any CSO;

     (c) Any HCS office if you get long-term care services.

     (7) If you get Basic Food benefits, these benefits will continue:

     (a) Through the end of your certification period; or

     (b) Through the month before your WASHCAP food benefits start.

     (8) If your Basic Food benefits end before you are eligible for WASHCAP food benefits, you must reapply to continue these benefits.

     (9) If you get Basic Food benefits and you become eligible for WASHCAP food benefits, we will automatically change your Basic Food benefits to WASHCAP food benefits.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.500, 74.08.090, 74.08A.903, and 7 C.F.R. 273.23. 10-23-115, § 388-492-0050, filed 11/17/10, effective 12/18/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090. 04-23-026, § 388-492-0050, filed 11/8/04, effective 12/9/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.57 [74.04.057], 74.04.500, 74.04.510. 02-15-148, § 388-492-0050, filed 7/22/02, effective 9/1/02; 01-21-058, § 388-492-0050, filed 10/16/01, effective 12/1/01.]

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