WSR 26-19-143 — Department of Children, Youth, and Families: CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES

WSR 26-19-143 — Department of Children, Youth, and Families: CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES WSR 26-19-143 (26-19) WSR 26-19-143 PROPOSED RULES DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES [Filed September 23, 2026, 11:31 a.m.] Original Notice. Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 26-14-114. Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Chapter 110-50 WAC, Child welfare. The child welfare division is amending and creating the following sections in chapter 110-50 WAC: Amending: WAC 110-50-1170 Legal basis, 110-50-1180 Purpose, 110-50-1190 Definitions, 110-50-1200 Department responsibilities when unearned income is received (WAC 110-50-1200 has been updated and renamed from department of children, youth, and families (DCYF) requirements for managing and using unearned income and resources for eligible children and youth in foster care), and 110-50-1210 EFC youth receiving Social Security benefits (WAC 110-50-1210 has been renamed from veteran's benefits for eligible children and youth in foster care. It has also been updated to include information related to extended foster care (EFC) and their benefits; and information in the current WAC 110-50-1210 is being added into the newly created WAC 110-50-1193 and amended WAC 110-50-1200). Creating: WAC 110-50-1193 Assessing eligibility for unearned income, 110-50-1195 Applying for Social Security benefits, 110-50-1215 Termination of the department's custody or representative payee status, 110-50-1225 Responsibilities of the new representative payee to the SSA, and 110-50-1235 Final transfer of funds and accounting. Hearing Location(s): On October 27, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., at DCYF Headquarters, Conference Room 2332, 1500 Jefferson Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98501. Comments can be made in several ways: Submitting comments to the online comment application linked below, emailing the rules coordinator, attending a public hearing in person, or by calling 360-972-5385 and leaving a voicemail that includes the comment and an email or physical mailing address where DCYF will send its response. All comments must be received by the deadline date and time listed below. Date of Intended Adoption: October 28, 2026. Submit Written Comments to: DCYF rules coordinator, email dcyf.rulescoordinator@dcyf.wa.gov , web https://dcyf.wa.gov/practice/policy-laws-rules/rule-making/participate/online , beginning September 25, 2026, at 8:00 a.m., by October 27, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact DCYF rules coordinator, phone 360-522-3691, email dcyf.rulescoordinator@dcyf.wa.gov , relay 711, by October 20, 2026. Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The financial and business services division is amending WAC 110-50-1180, 110-50-1190, 110-50-1200, and other related rules to comply with SSB 5911. SSB 5911 requires DCYF, beginning January 1, 2027, to: • Not apply any benefits, payments, funds, or accruals paid to, or on behalf of, individuals in EFC as reimbursement for their cost of care. • Assist individuals participating in EFC to: o Set up an appropriate financial account to receive their benefits. o Determine whether they can manage it independently or need help. o Become and remain their own Social Security payee when possible. o Identify suitable authorized representative payees when EFC youth need assistance managing their benefits. o If suitable authorized representative payees are not identified, DCYF may manage their funds according to the Social Security Administration (SSA) rules. Reasons Supporting Proposal: See purpose. Statutory Authority for Adoption: WAC 110-50-1170 Legal basis, is RCW 74.13.031 , 74.13.060 , and 74.13.337 . WAC 110-50-1180 Purpose, is RCW 74.13.031 and 74.13.060 . WAC 110-50-1190 Definitions, is 42 U.S.C., RCW 74.13.031 , 74.13.060 , and 74.13.337 . WAC 110-50-1193 Assessing eligibility for unearned income, is 20 C.F.R. Part 404, RCW 74.13.031 and 74.13.060 . Matter furnished by the Washington Office of the Code Reviser (Washington State Register). Notice Nearby did not write this notice. Source: Washington State Register Published: 2026-09-23 Original: https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/law/wsr/2026/19/26-19-143.htm This listing was added to the Notice Nearby public register from a public government source. It is not a Notice Nearby paid publication, affidavit, or placement certificate.