(1) If you are acting as an authorized representative for basic food, we disqualify you from being an authorized representative for one year is we determine that you:

(a) Knowingly provided false information to the department;

(b) Misrepresented the circumstances of the basic food assistance unit (AU); or

(c) Misused the basic food benefits.

(2) If we disqualify you from being an authorized representative for basic food, we notify you and the head of the basic food AU thirty days before your disqualification starts.

(3) If you are a department employee, a retailer authorized to receive basic food benefits, or are disqualified from receiving basic food because of an intentional program violation under WAC 38-446-0015, you generally cannot be an authorized representative. If you are in any of these three categories and want to be an authorized representative for basic food:

(a) The AU must have no one else available to be an authorized representative; and

(b) You must have written approval from the community services office administrator to be the AU's authorized representative.

(4) A public or private nonprofit organization providing meals for homeless persons may not be an authorized representative under any conditions.