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

     Purpose: The department is amending WAC 388-406-0035, 388-412-0005, 388-446-0005, 388-450-0025, 388-450-0245, and 388-472-0005, to eliminate reference to general assistance or the disability lifeline and include reference to aged, blind, or disabled (ABD) assistance program and pregnant women program established November 1, 2011, through an emergency rule filed February 9, 2012, (WSR 12-05-033) extending emergency rule filed October 12, 2011, under WSR 11-21-049.

     These amendments are necessary to comply with the changes outlined in ESHB 2082, Laws of 2011.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 388-406-0035, 388-412-0005, 388-446-0005, 388-450-0025, 388-450-0245, and 388-472-0005.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.04.005, 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.08A.100, 74.04.770, 74.04.0052, 74.04.655, 74.08.043, 74.08.335.

     Other Authority: ESHB 2082, chapter 36, Laws of 2011 1st sp. sess.

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 12-02-083 on January 4, 2012.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 8, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 8, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: March 2, 2012.

Katherine I. Vasquez

Rules Coordinator

     (2) Unless your eligibility determination is delayed for good cause under WAC 388-406-0040, we process your application for benefits within thirty calendar days, except:

     (a) If you are pregnant, we must process your application for medical within fifteen working days;

     (b) If you are applying for ((general assistance (GA-U))) aged, blind, or disabled (ABD) assistance, alcohol or drug addiction treatment (ADATSA), or medical assistance, we must process your application within forty-five calendar days unless there is good cause as described in WAC 388-406-0045; and

     (c) If you are applying for medical assistance that requires a disability decision, we must process your application within sixty calendar days.

     (3) For calculating time limits, "day one" is the date following the date:

     (a) The department received your application for benefits under WAC 388-406-0010;

     (b) Social Security gets a request for food benefits from a Basic Food assistance unit in which all members either get or are applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI);

     (c) You are released from an institution if you get or are authorized to get SSI and request Basic Food through Social Security prior to your release.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.060, 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, and 2009 c 198. 09-19-129, § 388-406-0035, filed 9/22/09, effective 11/1/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510. 03-22-039, § 388-406-0035, filed 10/28/03, effective 12/1/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, and 74.08.090. 02-11-137, § 388-406-0035, filed 5/21/02, effective 7/1/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.04.510. 99-16-024, § 388-406-0035, 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, § 388-406-0035, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98. Formerly WAC 388-504-0470.]

     (2) You cannot receive the same type of benefits in:

     (a) Two states in the same month; or

     (b) Two AUs in the same month; unless

     (c) You left the AU to live in a shelter for battered women and children. See WAC 388-408-0045.

     (3) If you are married and both you and your spouse get ((Disability Lifeline)) aged, blind, or disabled (ABD) assistance, you and your spouse are one AU.

     (4) Your grant is rounded down to the next whole dollar amount unless:

     (a) You get a clothing and personal incidental (CPI) allowance; or

     (b) Your benefits are reduced to pay an overpayment.

     (5) We do not issue any cash benefits if you are eligible for less than ten dollars unless:

     (a) You get a CPI allowance;

     (b) Your benefits are reduced to pay an overpayment; or

     (c) You get Supplemental Social Security (SSI) interim assistance payments.

     (6) You may use your cash benefits to pay for basic living expenses as detailed under WAC 388-412-0046 (1)(c).

     (7) You may not use your electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards or cash obtained with EBT cards for any of the activities specified under WAC 388-412-0046 (1)(d).

     (8) If you choose to withdraw your cash benefits using an automated teller machine (ATM), our EBT vendor may charge a fee for the transaction in addition to any charges by the bank or ATM owner.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.04.510, 74.04.770, 74.12.260, 74.08.580, 9.91.142, 7 C.F.R. 273.16, the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 as amended and 42 U.S.C. 601a; and 2011 c 42. 11-19-047, § 388-412-0005, filed 9/13/11, effective 10/14/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090. 05-02-015, § 388-412-0005, filed 12/27/04, effective 1/27/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.510 and 74.08.090. 01-18-054, § 388-412-0005, filed 8/30/01, effective 9/30/01; 99-16-024, § 388-412-0005, filed 7/26/99, effective 9/1/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and S. 825, Public Law 104-193, Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. 99-02-039, § 388-412-0005, filed 12/31/98, effective 1/31/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-412-0005, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.]

     (a) For TANF/SFA, the conviction was based on actions which occurred on or after May 1, 1997; or

     (b) For ((general assistance)) aged, blind, or disabled (ABD) assistance, the conviction was based on actions which occurred on or after July 23, 1995.

     (2) The disqualification period must be determined by the court and will be:

     (a) For a first conviction, no less than six months; and

     (b) For a second or subsequent conviction, no less than twelve months.

     (3) The disqualification applies only to the person convicted and begins on the date of conviction.

     (4) A recipient's cash benefits are terminated following advance or adequate notice requirements as specified in WAC 388-458-0030.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057. 04-13-097, § 388-446-0005, filed 6/21/04, effective 7/22/04; 98-16-044, § 388-446-0005, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.]

     (1) Unearned income is income you get from a source other than employment or self-employment. Some examples of unearned income are:

     (a) Railroad retirement;

     (b) Unemployment compensation;

     (c) Social Security benefits (including retirement benefits, disability benefits, and benefits for survivors);

     (d) Time loss benefits as described in WAC 388-450-0010, such as benefits from the department of labor and industries (L&I); or

     (e) Veteran Administration benefits.

     (2) For food assistance we also count the total amount of cash benefits due to you before any reductions caused by your failure (or the failure of someone in your assistance unit) to perform an action required under a federal, state, or local means-tested public assistance program, such as TANF/SFA, ((GA)) ABD assistance, PWA, and SSI.

     (3) When we count your unearned income, we count the amount you get before any taxes are taken out.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.04.510. 02-20-069, § 388-450-0025, filed 9/30/02, effective 10/31/02; 99-17-025, § 388-450-0025, 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, § 388-450-0025, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.]

     (2) We suspend your AU's benefits for one month when your expected total countable income under WAC 388-450-0162:

     (a) Is more than the dollar limit for your AU; and

     (b) If over these limits for only that one month.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, and 74.04.510. 03-21-029, § 388-450-0245, filed 10/7/03, effective 11/1/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.510. 00-01-012, § 388-450-0245, filed 12/3/99, effective 1/1/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-450-0245, 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) Have us explain the legal use of DSHS benefits to you;

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

     (d) 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;

     (e) 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 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) ((Disability lifeline (DL))) Aged, blind, or disabled (ABD) assistance, 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.

     (f) 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;

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

     (h) 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;

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

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

     (k) Ask for 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;

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

     (m) 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

     (n) 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 Provider One services card to your medical care provider;

     (k) Cooperate with the quality control review process;

     (l) Keep track of your EBT card for cash and food assistance and keep your personal identification number (PIN) secure. If you receive multiple replacement EBT cards, this may trigger an investigation to determine if you are trafficking benefits as described under WAC 388-412-0046 (2)(d); and

     (m) Use your cash and food assistance benefits only as allowed under WAC 388-412-0046.

     (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, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.04.510, 74.04.770, 74.12.260, 74.08.580, 9.91.142, 7 C.F.R. 273.16, the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 as amended and 42 U.S.C. 601a; and 2011 c 42. 11-19-047, § 388-472-0005, filed 9/13/11, effective 10/14/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.08.010. 11-07-014, § 388-472-0005, filed 3/8/11, effective 4/8/11. 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.]

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