WSR 98-23-090

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES

(Economic Services Administration)

[Filed November 18, 1998, 10:45 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Amendments to WAC 388-450-0185 General information regarding income deductions for food assistance programs, concerning the dependent care disregard.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, and 74.08.090.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: To clarify the existing food stamp rule on the dependent care disregard. An amendment to the current rule is needed to bring WAC in line with CFR such that field staff are able to understand and apply the rule correctly.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: This subject is regulated in 7 CFR 273.9 (d)(4). Working with the state's quality assurance team, we were able to accurately reflect federal law on this matter.

Process for Developing New Rule: The food stamp program section will continue to work with quality assurance, field staff, and the advocacy community in the rule-making process.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Roger Long, Program Manager, Department of Social and Health Services, Division of Assistance Programs, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504, phone (360) 413-3232, fax (360) 413-3493, TTY (360) 413-3001, e-mail longrv@dshs.wa.gov.

November 16, 1998

Marie Myerchin-Redifer, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit