No. 29976 (Amendment): R986-400. General Assistance and Working Toward Employment

DAR File No.: 29976
Filed: 05/25/2007, 04:58
Received by: NL

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

The purpose of this amendment is to keep General Assistance (GA) the same when the vehicle rule for Family Employment Program (FEP) changes.

Summary of the rule or change:

Currently, a GA client can own one vehicle with an asset value of no more than $8,000. The Department filed another proposed amendment which makes all vehicles exempt for the FEP. Since the GA rule currently states it follows FEP asset rules, this change needs to be made to keep GA the same while FEP changes. It is hoped all programs will exempt motorized vehicles but the Department is not ready to do that for GA yet. (DAR NOTE: The proposed amendment to the FEP rule is to Section R986-200-231 under DAR No. 29974 in this issue, June 15, 2007, of the Bulletin.)

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

Section 35A-1-104 and Subsection 35A-1-104(4)

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

These changes are nonsubstantive in nature and the program is state-funded so there will be no costs or savings to the state.

local governments:

These changes are nonsubstantive in nature and the program is state-funded so there will be no costs or savings to local government.

other persons:

These proposed changes reflect current rule and Department practice and are nonsubstantive in nature so there will be no costs or savings to other persons.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

There are no compliance costs for affected persons as these changes are nonsubstantive in nature and there are no costs for complying.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

There are no compliance costs associated with this change. There are no fees associated with this change. There will be no cost to anyone to comply with these changes. There will be no fiscal impact on any business. Kristen Cox, Executive Director

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Workforce Services
Employment Development
140 E 300 S
SALT LAKE CITY UT 84111-2333

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

Suzan Pixton at the above address, by phone at 801-526-9645, by FAX at 801-526-9211, or by Internet E-mail at [e-mail]

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

07/16/2007

This rule may become effective on:

07/24/2007

Authorized by:

Kristen Cox, Executive Director

RULE TEXT

R986. Workforce Services, Employment Development.

R986-400. General Assistance and Working Toward Employment.

R986-400-407. Income and Assets Limits and Amount of Assistance.

(1) The provisions of R986-200 are used for determining asset and income eligibility except;

(a) the income and assets of an SSI recipient living in the household are counted if that individual is legally responsible for the client;

(b) the total gross income of an alien's sponsor and the sponsor's spouse is counted as unearned income for the alien. If a person sponsors more than one alien, the total gross income of the sponsor and the sponsor's spouse is counted for each alien. Indigent aliens, as defined by 7 CFR 273.4(c)(3)(iv), are not exempt;

(c) one vehicle, with a maximum of $8,000 equity value, is not counted. The entire equity value of one vehicle equipped to transport a disabled individual is exempt from the asset limit even if the vehicle has a value in excess of $8,000 Beginning October 1, 2007, all motorized vehicles will be exempt.

(2) The financial assistance payment level is set by the Department and available for review at all Department local offices.

 

R986-400-455. Income and Assets Limits and Calculation of Assistance Payment.

(1) Income and asset determination and limits are the same as for FEP found in R986-200 except one vehicle with a maximum of $8,000 equity value is not counted. The entire equity value of one vehicle equipped to transport a disabled individual is exempt from the asset limit even if the vehicle has a value in excess of $8,000. Beginning October 1, 2007, all motorized vehicles will be exempt.

(2) The amount of financial assistance available for payment to a client is based on the number of hours of participation. Payment is made twice per month and only after proof of participation. The base amount of assistance is equal to the GA financial assistance payment for the household size. The base GA payment is then prorated based on the number of hours of participation for each household member, up to a maximum of 40 hours of participation per household member per week. In no event can the financial assistance payment per month for a WTE household be more than for the same size household receiving financial assistance under GA. Payment of financial assistance cannot be made for any period during which the client does not participate.

(3) The base GA financial assistance payment level is determined by the State Legislature and available upon request.

(4) Each WTE household member will receive the sum of $45 per month regardless of number of hours the client participates. This sum is intended to be used for participation expenses.

 

KEY: general assistance, working toward employment

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [November 1, 2006]2007

Notice of Continuation: September 14, 2005

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 35A-3-401; 35A-3-402