WSR 26-03-033
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)
[Filed January 14, 2026, 9:07 a.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department of social and health services (DSHS) is planning to amend the following WAC and other related rules as may be required: WAC 388-400-0047 What is the heat and eat program and are you eligible?, and 388-450-0015 What types of income are not used by the department to figure out my benefits?
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW
74.04.050,
74.04.055,
74.04.057,
74.04.300,
74.04.500,
74.04.510,
74.04.515,
74.08.090,
74.08A.010,
74.08A.120,
74.08A.903, and
82.08.0206.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Planned amendments will implement changes to the heat and eat program as required by H.R.1 (P.L. 119-21) and how low-income energy assistance program income is counted when determining eligibility for food assistance. 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: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services.
Process for Developing New Rule: DSHS welcomes the public to take part in developing 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.
January 14, 2026
Katherine I. Vasquez
Rules Coordinator