Arizona Administrative Code › Title 6 - ECONOMIC SECURITY › Chapter 5 - DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY - SOCIAL SERVICES › Article 49 - CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE › Section R6-5-4905 - Initial Eligibility Interview

Current through Register Vol. 30, No. 28, July 12, 2024
A. Upon receipt of an identifiable
				application, the Department shall schedule an initial eligibility interview for
				the applicant. Upon request, the Department shall conduct the interview at the
				residence of a person who is homebound.
B. The applicant shall attend the interview.
				A person of the applicant's choosing may also attend the interview.
C. The Department may conduct a telephone
				interview if the applicant has previously verified citizenship or legal
				residency status as prescribed in
				R6-5-4911(E).
D. During the interview, a Department
				representative shall:
1. Assist the applicant
				in completing the application form;
2. Witness the signature of the
				applicant;
3. Discuss information
				pertinent to the applicant's child care needs;
4. Provide the applicant with written
				information explaining:
a. The terms,
				conditions, and obligations of the Child Care Assistance program;
b. Any additional verification information as
				prescribed in R6-5-4906 which the applicant must provide for the Department to
				conclude the eligibility evaluation;
c. The Department practice of exchanging
				eligibility and income information among Department programs;
d. The coverage and scope of the Child Care
				Assistance program;
e. The
				applicant's rights, including the right to appeal a negative action;
				and
f. The requirement to report
				all changes within two work days from the date the change becomes
				known;
5. Review the
				penalties for perjury and fraud, as printed on the application;
6. Explain to the applicant who is included
				in family size for the purpose of determining income eligibility, and whose
				availability is considered in determining the amount of Child Care Assistance
				authorized for each child needing care as prescribed in
				R6-5-4914(D);
7. If the applicant is the parent of the
				children needing care, explain the tax claimant provision under
				R6-5-4914(D)(3);
8. Provide the
				applicant with the tax claimant declaration form if there is a potential tax
				claimant in the household;
9.
				Provide the following information to assist the family in continuing to move
				toward self-sufficiency:
a. Availability of
				the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Provide the applicant with the current
				U.S. Department of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) EITC information if the
				applicant comes into the office for the initial interview;
b. Availability of child support services
				through the Division of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE) to assist with
				paternity establishment, establishment of a child support order, or enforcement
				of an existing child support order. Provide the applicant with written
				information regarding child support services if the applicant comes into the
				office for the initial interview; and
c. Availability of Department-sponsored or
				contracted employment services that may assist the applicant and spouse or
				other parent in finding a job, or pursuing a better job or career. Provide the
				applicant with written information regarding employment services if the
				applicant comes into the office for the initial interview;
10. Explain to the applicant the 60-month per
				child time limit for Child Care Assistance:
a.
				Describe the child care programs to which the 60-month time limit
				applies;
b. Describe how child care
				utilization is measured per child to calculate the 60-month limit;
				and
c. Explain the criteria for
				extensions of the time limit based on continued efforts to improve job skills
				and move toward self-sufficiency;
11. Discuss the six-child limit for Child
				Care Assistance:
a. Explain that no more than
				six children in a family may receive Child Care Assistance at any point in
				time; and
b. Explain the child care
				programs to which the six-child limit applies;
12. Discuss the waiting list for Child Care
				Assistance:
a. Describe the programs to which
				it applies;
b. Explain
				prioritization for assistance based upon income for families on the waiting
				list;
c. Indicate whether the
				waiting list is currently in effect; and
d. Explain that, based on funding
				availability, the Department may implement a waiting list at any point in
				time;
13. Review any
				verification information already provided;
14. Explain the applicant's duties to:
a. Notify the Department regarding initial
				provider selection or changes in provider in advance of using services or
				changing providers;
b. Pay DES
				required copayments to the child care provider as assigned by the Department;
				and
c. Pay any additional charges
				to the provider for the cost of care in excess of the amount paid by the
				Department; and
15.
				Review all ongoing reporting requirements, and explain that the applicant may
				incur overpayments for failure to make timely reports.