WSR 17-17-173 PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES (Economic Services Administration) [Filed August 23, 2017, 10:43 a.m.] Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department is proposing to amend WAC 388-478-0020 Payment standards for TANF, SFA, and RCA, 388-478-0035 What are the maximum earned income limits for TANF, SFA, PWA, and RCA?, 388-436-0050 Determining financial need and benefit amount for CEAP, and other related rules as may be required. Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The 2017-2019 operating budget (chapter 1, Laws of 2017 3rd sp. sess.) authorized a 2.5 percent increase in the payment standards for temporary assistance for needy families (TANF), state family assistance (SFA), and refugee cash assistance (RCA) programs, the financial need and benefit amount limits for the consolidated emergency assistance program, and the maximum earned income limits for the TANF, SFA, RCA and the pregnant women assistance (PWA) programs. These changes take effect on July 1, 2018. Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None. Process for Developing New Rule: department of social and health services (DSHS) welcomes the public to take part in developing the 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 Miranda Adams, P.O. Box 45440 [45470], Olympia, WA 98504-5470, fax 360-725-4904, TTY 360-790-5611, email miranda.adams@dshs.wa.gov. August 22, 2017 Katherine I. Vasquez Rules Coordinator |