PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)
(Division of Employment and Assistance Programs)
Subject of Possible Rule Making: To implement rules for the 20% hardship extensions to the temporary assistance for needy families (TANF)/state family assistance (SFA) time limit. Existing WAC 388-484-0005 and 388-484-0010 set forth the requirements for the TANF/SFA time limit and the Indian country disregard to the time limit. The 20% hardship extension is authorized in federal and state law.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Federal hardship extension law 42 U.S.C. 608 (a)(7)(C) and federal regulations, 45 C.F.R. sec. 264.1(c). State hardship extension law, RCW 74.08A.010(4).
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Rules are needed to implement the intent of the existing federal and state law. Under existing rules TANF and SFA are subject to a sixty month lifetime limit. The federal and state law allows for additional months of assistance beyond sixty months by reason of hardship for up to 20% of the caseload. In Washington state, the first clients will reach their lifetime time limit and become ineligible on August 1, 2002. Clients who reach their time limit will be terminated, unless they meet the proposed rules for hardship extensions.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
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. After the rules are drafted, DSHS will file a copy with the Office of the Code Reviser with a notice of proposed rule making. A copy of the draft 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 Maura Donoghue, Policy Analyst, Division of Employment and Assistance Programs, DSHS, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504-5470, phone (360) 413-3214, fax (360) 413-33493 [413-3493], e-mail Donogmk@dshs.wa.gov.
July 18, 2001
Brian H. Lindgren, Manager
Rules and Policies Assistance Unit