Wash. Admin. Code § 388-444-0005 – Am I required to work, register for work, or look for work in order to be eligible for basic food?

Some people must register for work to receive basic food.

(1) If you receive basic food, we register you for work if you are:
1. (a) Age sixteen through fifty-nine; and
2. (b) Not exempt from work registration under WAC 388-444-0010.
(2) If you are required to register for work, we register you:
1. (a) When you apply for basic food benefits or are added to someone's assistance unit; and
2. (b) [At least once] every twelve months thereafter [or at recertification if your work registration status changes].
(3) If we register you for work, you must:
1. (a) Contact us as required;
2. (b) Provide information regarding your employment status and availability for work if we ask for it;
3. (c) Report to an employer if we refer you;
4. (d) Not voluntarily quit a job or reduce your work effort as defined under WAC 388-444-0065 unless you have good cause under WAC 388-444-0070;
5. (e) Accept a bona fide offer of suitable employment. We define unsuitable employment under WAC 388-444-0060; and
6. (f) Not be in sanction status under WAC 388-310-1600 (if you are a mandatory WorkFirst participant).
(4) If we register you for work, you must meet all of the requirements under subsection (3) of this section. If you do not meet these requirements, we disqualify you from receiving benefits as described in WAC 388-444-0055, unless you meet the good cause conditions as defined in WAC 388-444-0050.
Reviser's note: RCW 34.05.395 requires the use of underlining and deletion marks to indicate amendments to existing rules, and deems ineffectual changes not filed by the agency in this manner. The bracketed material in the above section does not appear to conform to the statutory requirement.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120, 7 C.F.R. 273.7 and 273.24. WSR 16-04-046, § 388-444-0005, filed 1/27/16, effective 2/27/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, and 7 C.F.R. § 273.7. WSR 13-21-126, § 388-444-0005, filed 10/22/13, effective 11/22/13. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.500, 74.04.515, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120, 74.08A.903, and 7 U.S.C. 2015 (d)(1); 7 C.F.R. § 273.7. WSR 10-18-048, § 388-444-0005, filed 8/26/10, effective 10/1/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.04.515, 74.08.090, 74.08A.903 and Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008. WSR 09-04-009, § 388-444-0005, filed 1/22/09, effective 2/22/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, and 7 C.F.R. 273.7 and 273.25. WSR 07-14-125, § 388-444-0005, filed 7/3/07, effective 8/3/07; WSR 06-24-026, § 388-444-0005, filed 11/29/06, effective 1/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. WSR 98-16-044, § 388-444-0005, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.]