The department shall establish consolidated standards of need each fiscal year which may vary by geographical areas, program, and family size, for temporary assistance for needy families, refugee assistance, supplemental security income, and benefits under RCW 74.62.030. Standards for temporary assistance for needy families, refugee assistance, and benefits under RCW 74.62.030 shall be based on studies of actual living costs and generally recognized inflation indices and shall include reasonable allowances for shelter, fuel, food, transportation, clothing, household maintenance and operations, personal maintenance, and necessary incidentals. The standard of need may take into account the economies of joint living arrangements, but unless explicitly required by federal statute, there shall not be proration of any portion of assistance grants unless the amount of the grant standard is equal to the standard of need.

     The department is authorized to establish rateable reductions and grant maximums consistent with federal law.

     Payment level will be equal to need or a lesser amount if rateable reductions or grant maximums are imposed. In no case shall a recipient of supplemental security income receive a state supplement less than the minimum required by federal law.

     The department may establish a separate standard for shelter provided at no cost.

[2011 1st sp.s. c 36 § 26; 2010 1st sp.s. c 8 § 23; 1997 c 59 § 11; 1983 1st ex.s. c 41 § 38; 1981 2nd ex.s. c 10 § 4.]

NOTES:

     Findings -- Intent -- 2011 1st sp.s. c 36: See RCW 74.62.005.

     Effective date -- 2011 1st sp.s. c 36: See note following RCW 74.62.005.

     Findings--Intent -- Short title -- Effective date -- 2010 1st sp.s. c 8: See notes following RCW 74.04.225.

     Severability -- 1983 1st ex.s. c 41: See note following RCW 26.09.060.