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Standards - Basic Food

Revised September 24, 2008

Purpose: This section includes the following information for the Washington Basic Food program (Basic Food): Income standards used to determine eligibility for Basic Food; Which assistance units must meet the gross and net income tests and which do not; and Maximum monthly benefits for Basic Food.

WAC 388-478-0060 What are the income limits and maximum benefit amounts for Basic Food?

WAC 388-478-0060 Effective October 1, 2008 WAC 388-478-0060 What are the income limits and maximum benefit amounts for Basic Food? If your assistance unit (AU) meets all other eligibility requirements for Basic Food, your AU must have income at or below the limits in columns B and C to get Basic Food, unless you meet one of the exceptions listed below.  The maximum monthly food assistance benefit your AU could receive is listed in column D.  EFFECTIVE 10-1-2008 Column A Number of eligible AU members Column B Maximum Gross Monthly Income Column C Maximum Net Monthly Income Column D Maximum Allotment Column E 165% of the Poverty Level 1 $1,127 $867 $176 $1,430 2 1,517 1,167 323 1,925 3 1,907 1,467 463 2,420 4 2,297 1,767 588 2,915 5 2,687 2,067 698 3,410 6 3,077 2,367 838 3,905 7 3,467 2,667 926 4,400 8 3,857 2,967 1,058 4,895 9 4,247 3,267 1,190 5,390 10 4,637 3,567 1,322 5,885 Each Additional Member +390 +300 +132 +495 Exceptions: If your AU is categorically eligible under WAC 388-414-0001, your AU does not have to meet the gross or net income standards in columns B and C.  We do budget your AU’s income to decide the amount of Basic Food your AU will receive. If your AU includes a member who is sixty years of age or older or has a disability, your income must be at or below the limit in column C only. If you are sixty years of age or older and cannot buy and cook your own meals because of a permanent disability, we use column E to decide if you can be a separate AU. If your AU has zero income, your benefits are the maximum allotment in column D based on the number of eligible members in your AU. This is a reprint of the official rule as published by the Office of the Code Reviser. If there are previous versions of this rule, they can be found using the Legislative Search page.

CLARIFYING INFORMATION The federal government setsthe income and resources standards.  The income standards are updated October 1st each year based on the federal poverty level in effect at the time. The gross income standard is based on 130% of the federal poverty level. The net income standard is based on 100% of the federal poverty level. These standards are based on the poverty level for the 48 contiguous states.  It excludes Alaska and Hawaii because of the higher cost of living in those states.

NOTE: Most Basic Food AUs with income up to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines are Categorically Eligible (CE) for Basic Food and do not need to meet the gross or net income limits under WAC 388-478-0060.  These income limits apply only to the limited number of households who cannot be CE under WAC 388-414-0001.

WORKER RESPONSIBILITIES If the AU's income is over the standards for their AU size, deny or terminate assistance.  Remember to apply any appropriate exceptions allowed under Basic Food rules. See WAC 388-450-0245 when an increase in income causes the AU to be ineligible for one month. 165 Percent Standardfor Clients Who Are Both Elderly and Disabled A client who is both elderly and disabled and can’t cook their own meals may be in a separate AU only if the other people who would normally be in the AU (not counting the person's spouse) have combined income at or under the 165% standard. The client's spouse must always be in the AU if they live with the client. See ASSISTANCE UNITS - Basic Food.

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Modification Date: September 24, 2008

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