PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)
Subject of Possible Rule Making: The community services division is proposing to amend WAC 388-436-0002 If my family has an emergency, can I get help from DSHS to get or keep our housing or utilities?, and other related rules.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department may propose amendments to reduce additional requirements for emergent needs (AREN) program costs. This may include but is not limited to, creating stricter guidelines to qualify for AREN benefits and reducing the amount of AREN benefits that will be available to recipients. This change is necessary to uphold fiscal accountability for the 2011-13 biennium.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: No other agencies regulate this subject.
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 Kerry Judge-Kemp, Program Manager, Economic Services Administration, Community Services Division, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504-5470, phone (360) 725-4630, fax (360) 725-4905, e-mail judgeka@dshs.wa.gov.
September 7, 2011
Katherine I. Vasquez
Rules Coordinator