Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department is planning to adopt WAC 388-437-0015 Good cause extension of Social Security number requirement for basic food applicants during COVID-19, and adopt or amend other related rules as may be required.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.04.510.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The adoption of WAC 388-437-0015 will address basic food Social Security number requirements as needed under the indefinite conditions of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), enforces the provisions of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program as enacted in the 2008 Food and Nutrition Act and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations. The department will amend rules that are consistent with the act, federal regulations, and FNS administrative notices and formal guidance.

Process for Developing New Rule: The department of social and health services (DSHS) welcomes the public to take part in developing 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 Carolyn Horlor, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504-5470, phone 360-764-0676, fax 360-725-4904, email Carolyn.Horlor@dshs.wa.gov.