Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department of social and health services (DSHS) is planning to amend WAC 388-482-0005 How does being a student of higher education affect my eligibility for the Washington basic food program?; and other related rules as may be required.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Planned amendments are necessary to align rules with 7 C.F.R. 273.5(b), which clarifies a single parent who is a full-time student and is responsible for the care of their natural, step, or adopted child aged 11 years or younger qualifies for one of the exemptions necessary to be eligible for food assistance. It also removes language regarding the temporary expansion of student eligibility for food assistance during the public health emergency, which ended May 11, 2023. If applicable, these amendments will make additional changes required to improve clarity, update policy, or better align rule language with state and federal law or regulations.

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.

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 Alexis Miller, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504-4570, phone 253-579-3144, TTY 711 relay service, email alexis.a.miller@dshs.wa.gov.