PROPOSED RULES
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)
Original Notice.
Exempt from preproposal statement of inquiry under RCW 34.05.310(4).
Title of Rule: WAC 388-450-0195 Utility allowances for food assistance programs.
Purpose: Eliminate use of actual utility expense as a deduction in calculating food stamp benefit. Instead, requires use of a standard allowance as a deduction.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.04.510.
Statute Being Implemented: 7 USC 2014 (e)(7) - Food Stamp Act.
Summary: Eliminate use of actual utility expense as a deduction in calculating food stamp benefit. Instead, requires use of a standard allowance as a deduction.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: 7 USC 2014 (e)(7) - Food Stamp Act.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Joan Wirth, Mailstop 45470, 1009 College Street, Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 413-3073.
Name of Proponent: Department of Social and Health Services, governmental.
Rule is necessary because of federal law, 7 USC 2014 (e)(7) (Food Stamp Act, Section 5, (e)(7)).
Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: The Food Stamp Act, as amended, at 7 USC 2014 (e)(7), allows states to eliminate use of actual utility expenses and to mandate use of standard allowances. This change is expected to reduce food stamp program errors.
Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: Amends WAC 388-450-0195 to eliminate actual utility expenses.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. DSHS is submitting this rule to comply with federal regulations. See RCW 19.18.061.
RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to this rule adoption. This change does not meet the definition of a significant legislative rule.
Hearing Location: Lacey Government Center (behind Tokyo O! Bento Restaurant), 1009 College Street S.E., Room 104-B, Lacey, WA 98503, on April 6, 1999, at 10:00 a.m.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Paige Wall by March 23, 1999, phone (360) 902-7540, TTY (360) 902-8324, e-mail pwall@dshs.wa.gov.
Submit Written Comments to: Identify WAC Numbers, Paige Wall, Rules Coordinator, Rules and Policies Assistance Unit, P.O. Box 45850, Olympia, WA 98504-5850, fax (360) 902-8292.
Date of Intended Adoption: April 12, 1999.
February 24, 1999
Marie Myerchin-Redifer
Manager
2535.1(((1))) You
can use the amounts in the chart below ((or use actual utility costs)) to calculate total shelter
costs. Total shelter costs are used in calculating your food assistance benefits.
| If you have to pay: | Then, you can use the: |
| Separate heating or cooling costs | Standard utility allowance (SUA) of $211 |
| Separate utility costs, but no heating or cooling costs | Limited utility allowance (LUA) of $158 |
| Separate costs for phone service only | Telephone utility allowance (TUA) of $29 |
[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.510 and 7 CFR 273.9 (d)(6). 99-01-069, § 388-450-0195, filed 12/14/98, effective 1/14/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-450-0195, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.]