Search

Chapter 388-434 WAC

 Last Update: 9/21/04

Eligibility reviews and recertifications

WAC Sections

388-434-0005 How often does the department review my eligibility for benefits?
388-434-0010 How do I get Basic Food benefits after my certification period has ended?

388-434-0005
How often does the department review my eligibility for benefits?

  (1) If you receive cash assistance, the department reviews your eligibility for assistance at least once every twelve months.

     (2) When it is time for your eligibility review, the department requires you to complete a review. We use the information you provide to determine your eligibility for all assistance programs.

     (3) If you complete an interview for assistance with a department representative and sign the printed application for benefits (AFB) form, you do not have to complete a separate review form.

     (4) For cash assistance, an eligibility review form or the AFB must be dated and signed by both husband and wife, or both parents of a child in common when the parents live together.

     (5) For medical assistance, a signature is not required to complete your review.

     (6) We may review your eligibility at any time if we decide your circumstances need to be reviewed sooner.

     (7) At your review, we look at:

     (a) All eligibility requirements under WAC 388-400-0005 through 388-400-0035, 388-503-0505 through 388-503-0515, and 388-505-0210 through 388-505-0220;

     (b) Changes since we last determined your eligibility; and

     (c) Changes that are anticipated for the next review period.

     (8) If you receive medical assistance, we set your certification period according to WAC 388-416-0010, 388-416-0015, 388-416-0020, and 388-416-0035.

     (9) Clients You are responsible for attending an interview if one is required under WAC 388-452-0005.

     (10) If you do not complete the eligibility review for cash assistance, we consider you to be withdrawing your request for continuing assistance:

     (a) Your cash assistance benefits will end; and

     (b) Your medical assistance will continue for twelve consecutive months from the month we received your most recent application or eligibility review.

     (11) We will send you written notice as described under chapter 388-458 WAC before assistance is suspended, terminated, or a benefit error is established as a result of your eligibility review.

     (12) If you currently receive Categorically Needy (CN) medical assistance, and you are found to no longer be eligible for benefits, we will determine if you are eligible for other medical programs. Until we decide if you are eligible for another program, your (CN) medical assistance will continue under WAC 388-418-0025.

     (13) When you need a supplemental accommodation under WAC 388-472-0010, we will help you meet the requirements of this section.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, and 2004 c 54. 04-19-134, § 388-434-0005, filed 9/21/04, effective 10/1/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.530, and 2003 c 10. 04-03-019, § 388-434-0005, filed 1/12/04, effective 2/12/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.04.510. 99-23-083, § 388-434-0005, filed 11/16/99, effective 1/1/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-434-0005, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98. Formerly WAC 388-522-2230.]

388-434-0010
How do I get Basic Food benefits after my certification period has ended?

  To keep getting Basic Food benefits after your certification period in WAC 388-416-0005 has ended, we must determine if you are still eligible for benefits. This is called recertification.

     (1) To be recertified for Basic Food, you must:

     (a) Turn in and sign an application for benefits as required under WAC 388-406-0010. If you complete an electronic application, your signature is the password you use to complete the electronic application;

     (b) Complete an interview if you are required to have an interview under WAC 388-452-0005; and

     (c) Submit needed proof of your circumstances if we ask for it.

     (2) If you reapply timely and get recertified before your certification period ends, we will keep depositing your benefits into your EBT (electronic benefit transfer) account on the same day of the month. To reapply timely, we must get your application by the fifteenth day of the last month of your certification period.

     (3) When we decide if you are eligible for benefits, we will send you a letter to tell you that your benefits have been approved or denied as required under chapter 388-458 WAC.

     (4) If you reapply timely and complete the steps required in subsection (1) by the fifteenth day of the last month of your certification period, you get the approval or denial letter by the end of your current certification period.

     (5) If you do not turn in an application form by the end of your current certification period, you have not taken the action we require for you to get ongoing Basic Food benefits. Your Basic Food benefits stop at the end of your certification period.

     (6) If you turn in your application before your certification period ends, we start your Basic Food from the first of the month of your new certification period after we determine if you are eligible.

     (a) If you do not reapply timely, your benefits for the first month of your new certification period may be delayed.

     (b) You have until the end of the month following your certification period end date to complete an interview if required and provide any proof of your circumstances we requested.

     (c) If you do not meet all requirements for verification by the end of the month following your certification end date, your recertification will not be approved.

     (7) If you turn in your application after your certification period ends, we treat the application as a new application for benefits. We start your Basic Food from the date you turned in the application after we determine if you are eligible.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510. 04-19-133, § 388-434-0010, filed 9/21/04, effective 10/22/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, and Title 7, Chapter II, Part 273 of the Code of Federal Regulations. 02-18-083, § 388-434-0010, filed 8/30/02, effective 10/1/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.05.057, and 74.08.090. 01-15-011, § 388-434-0010, filed 7/6/01, effective 8/1/01; 98-16-044, § 388-434-0010, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.]