WAC 388-482-0005:

PDFWAC 388-482-0005

How does being a student of higher education affect my eligibility for the Washington basic food program?

(1) If you are enrolled at least half-time in an institution of higher education, you are ineligible for basic food unless you qualify for an exemption in subsection (4) of this section.

(2) You are considered a student of higher education for basic food purposes if you are:

(a) Enrolled in an institution of higher education at least half-time as defined by the institution; and

(b) Enrolled in coursework considered to be higher education.

(3) An institution of higher education is:

(a) Any educational institution that requires a high school diploma or high school equivalency certificate;

(b) A business, trade, or vocational school that requires a high school diploma or high school equivalency; or

(c) A two-year or four-year college or university that offers a degree but does not require a high school diploma or high school equivalency.

(4) If you are a student of higher education, you must also meet at least one of the following exemptions to be eligible for basic food:

(a) You are age 17 or younger;

(b) You are age 50 or older;

(d) You have paid employment and work an average of at least 20 hours per week each month;

(e) You are self-employed, work, and earn at least the amount you would earn working an average of 20 hours per week at the federal minimum wage each month; or

(f) You are participating in a state or federal work study program during the regular school year.

(i) To qualify under this exemption, you must:

(A) Have approval for work study at the time of application for basic food;

(B) Have work study that is approved for the school term; and

(ii) The work study exemption begins:

(A) The month in which the school term starts; or

(B) The month work study is approved, whichever is later.

(iii) Once begun, the work study exemption shall continue until:

(A) The end of the month in which the school term ends; or

(B) We find out you refused a work study assignment.

(g) You are responsible for the care of a dependent person in your assistance unit (AU) who is age five or younger;

(h) You are responsible for the care of a dependent person in your AU who is between age six and 11, if we have determined that there isn't adequate child care available during the school year to allow you to:

(i) Attend class and satisfy the 20-hour work requirement; or

(ii) Take part in a work study program.

(i) You are a single parent who is a full time student that is responsible for the care of your natural, step, or adopted child who is 11 or younger;

(j) You are an adult who has the parental responsibility of a child who is age 11 or younger if none of the following people live in the home:

(i) The child's parents; or

(ii) Your spouse.

(k) You participate in the WorkFirst program under WAC 388-310-0200;

(l) You receive TANF or SFA benefits;

(m) You attend an institution of higher education through:

(i) The Workforce Investment Act (WIA);

(ii) The basic food employment and training program under chapter 388-444 WAC;

(iii) An approved state or local employment and training program; or

(iv) Section 236 of the Trade Act of 1974.

(5) If you are a student of higher education, your status as a student:

(a) Begins the first day of the school term; and

(b) Continues through vacations. This includes the summer break if you plan to return to school for the next term.

(6) We do not consider you a student of higher education if you:

(a) Graduate;

(b) Are suspended or expelled;

(d) Do not intend to register for the next normal school term other than summer school.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20A.760, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.08A.120, and 7 C.F.R. 273.5(b). WSR 25-20-012, s 388-482-0005, filed 9/19/25, effective 10/20/25. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20A.760, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.08A.120 and 7 C.F.R. 273.5 and H.R. 133. WSR 21-17-093, § 388-482-0005, filed 8/13/21, effective 9/13/21. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20A.760, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, and 74.08A.120. WSR 20-05-047, § 388-482-0005, filed 2/13/20, effective 3/15/20. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.500, 74.04.510, and 74.08A.120. WSR 18-19-025, § 388-482-0005, filed 9/12/18, effective 10/13/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.08A.250, and 2013 c 39. WSR 13-24-043, § 388-482-0005, filed 11/26/13, effective 1/1/14. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090 and 7 C.F.R. § 273.5. WSR 13-13-004, § 388-482-0005, filed 6/6/13, effective 7/7/13. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, and 74.04.510. WSR 03-22-037, § 388-482-0005, filed 10/28/03, effective 12/1/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.04.510. WSR 99-16-024, § 388-482-0005, filed 7/26/99, effective 9/1/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. WSR 98-16-044, § 388-482-0005, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.]