WAC 388-450-0185 Does the department count all of my income to determine my eligibility and benefits for Basic Food?

We subtract the following amounts from your assistance unit's (AU's) countable income before we determine your Basic Food benefit amount:

1. A standard deduction based on the number of people in your AU under WAC 388-408-0035: 

2. Twenty percent of your AU's gross earned income (earned income deduction);

3. Your AU's expected monthly dependent care expense as described below:

   1. The dependent care must be needed for AU member to:

      1. Keep work, look for work, or accept work;

      2. Attend training or education to prepare for employment; or

      3. Meet employment and training requirements under chapter 388-444 WAC.

   2. We subtract allowable dependent care expenses that are payable to someone outside of your AU:

      1. Up to two hundred dollars for each dependent under age two; and

      2. Up to one hundred seventy-five dollars for each dependent age two or older.

4. Medical expenses over thirty-five dollars a month owed or anticipated by an elderly or disabled person in your AU as allowed under WAC 388-450-0200.

5. Legally obligated current or back child support paid to someone outside of your AU:

   1. For a person who is not in your AU; or

   2. For a person who is in your AU to cover a period of time when they were not living with you.

6. A portion of your shelter costs as described in WAC 388-450-0190.