WSR 11-12-044

PERMANENT RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)

[ Filed May 26, 2011, 9:48 a.m. , effective June 8, 2011 ]


     Effective Date of Rule: June 8, 2011.

     Other Findings Required by Other Provisions of Law as Precondition to Adoption or Effectiveness of Rule: This rule becomes permanent effective June 8, 2011, which is less than thirty-one days after filing. RCW 34.05.380 (3)(c) states that a rule may become effective on a subsequent earlier date if the action is necessary because of imminent peril to the public health, safety, or welfare. The current emergency rule (WSR 11-05-027) that allows the department to permit disability lifeline (DL) benefits for persons who are pregnant and in need expires June 7, 2011. Without this rule, the department will not be able to issue DL cash assistance to women who are pregnant and in need as required by RCW 74.04.005. This would result in the department being out of compliance with state law.

     In addition, RCW 34.05.380 (3)(a) states that a rule may become effective immediately upon its filing or on any subsequent date earlier than thirty days after the date of filing, if the action is required by the state or federal constitution, a statue [statute], or a court order. This rule is essential in order to comply with the requirements of RCW 74.04.005 which directs the department to provide DL benefits to persons who are pregnant and in need, who are not eligible to receive federal aid assistance other than basic food and medical assistance.

     Purpose: The department is amending WAC 388-400-0025 to permit DL benefits for persons who are pregnant and in need, as required by RCW 74.04.005.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 388-400-0025.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.04.005, 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090.

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 11-08-072 on April 6, 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     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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

     Date Adopted: May 23, 2011.

Katherine I. Vasquez

Rules Coordinator

4269.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 10-16-096, filed 7/30/10, effective 9/1/10)

WAC 388-400-0025   Who is eligible for disability lifeline benefits?   (1) Effective March 29, 2010, the "general assistance" program was replaced by "disability lifeline." Any reference in Washington Administrative Code (WAC) to general assistance also applies to disability lifeline.

     (2) You are eligible for disability lifeline (DL) benefits if you:

     (a) Are pregnant as verified by a medical statement or incapacitated as required under WAC 388-448-0001 through 388-448-0120;

     (b) Are at least eighteen years old or, if under eighteen, a member of a married couple;

     (c) Are in financial need according to DL income and resource rules in chapters 388-450, 388-470 and 388-488 WAC. We determine who is in your assistance unit according to WAC 388-408-0010;

     (d) Meet the disability lifeline citizenship/alien status requirements under WAC 388-424-0015(2);

     (e) Provide a Social Security number as required under WAC 388-476-0005;

     (f) Reside in the state of Washington as required under WAC 388-468-0005;

     (g) Undergo referrals for assessment, treatment, or to other agencies as provided under WAC 388-448-0130 through 388-448-0150;

     (h) Sign an interim assistance reimbursement authorization to agree to repay the monetary value of general assistance or disability lifeline benefits subsequently duplicated by Supplemental Security Income benefits as described under WAC 388-448-0200, 388-448-0210 and 388-474-0020;

     (i) Report changes of circumstances as required under WAC 388-418-0005; and

     (j) Complete a mid-certification review and provide proof of any changes as required under WAC 388-418-0011.

     (3) You aren't eligible for disability lifeline benefits if you:

     (a) Have received general assistance or disability lifeline benefits for more than the maximum number of months as defined in WAC 388-448-0250.

     (b) Are eligible for temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) benefits.

     (c) Are eligible for state family assistance (SFA) benefits.

     (d) Refuse or fail to meet a TANF or SFA eligibility rule.

     (e) Refuse or fail to participate in drug or alcohol treatment as required in WAC 388-448-0220.

     (f) Are eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.

     (g) Are an ineligible spouse of an SSI recipient.

     (h) Failed to follow a Social Security Administration (SSA) program rule or application requirement and SSA denied or terminated your benefits.

     (4) If you reside in a public institution and meet all other requirements, your eligibility for DL depends on the type of institution. A "public institution" is an institution that is supported by public funds, and a governmental unit either is responsible for it or exercises administrative control over it.

     (a) You may be eligible for disability lifeline if you are:

     (i) A patient in a public medical institution; or

     (ii) A patient in a public mental institution and:

     (A) Sixty-five years of age or older; or

     (B) Twenty years of age or younger.

     (b) You aren't eligible for DL when you are in the custody of or confined in a public institution such as a state penitentiary or county jail including placement:

     (i) In a work release program; or

     (ii) Outside of the institution including home detention.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.005, 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.51 [74.04.510], 74.08.090, 74.08A.100, 74.04.770, 74.04.0005 [74.04.005], and 2010 c 8. 10-16-096, § 388-400-0025, filed 7/30/10, effective 9/1/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090. 06-13-043, § 388-400-0025, filed 6/15/06, effective 7/17/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510 and 2004 c 54. 04-23-027, § 388-400-0025, filed 11/8/04, effective 12/9/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090. 04-15-057, § 388-400-0025, filed 7/13/04, effective 8/13/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.057, 74.08.090. 00-15-017, § 388-400-0025, filed 7/10/00, effective 9/1/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-400-0025, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.]

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