WAC 246-790-560. Participant disqualification

(1) In addition to the disqualifications set forth in the table under WAC 246-790-530 , whenever the department assesses a claim under WAC 246-790-550 of $1,000 or more, or assesses a second or subsequent claim of any amount resulting from a participant violation, the department must disqualify the participant for one year. In addition, a claim may be assessed for misuse of WIC/FMNP benefits. Dual participation violations will result in disqualification regardless of claim amount. (2) The department will count any violation occurring within the consecutive 12-month period following the first notice of violation as a second or subsequent violation. Second or subsequent violations do not have to be for the same violation type. (3) The department will count any second or subsequent violation as a second or subsequent violation even if: (a) Another member of the WIC participant's household commits the violation; or (b) The violation affects the WIC benefits of another WIC participant in the same household. (4) The department shall provide a written notice to the WIC participant describing the violations and specifying the sanction. (5) For a violation involving a claim, the department may decline to impose a disqualification if the WIC participant makes full restitution, or agrees to a repayment schedule, within 30 days of the date the notice of disqualification was sent. (6) Where a parent or caregiver of an infant or child participant or a WIC participant under the age of 18 has committed a violation, the department must consider designating a substitute caregiver to continue providing WIC benefits to the participant. (7) Participants may reapply for benefits at any time after the end of the disqualification period.