Washington Administrative Code › Title 170 - Early Learning, Department of › Chapter 170-290 - Working connections and seasonal child care subsidy programs › Part II - WORKING CONNECTIONS CHILD CARE › Rights and Responsibilities › Section 170-290-0025 - Consumers' rights

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
When a consumer applies for or receives WCCC benefits, the
					 consumer has the right to:
(1) Be free
				  from discrimination in accordance with all applicable federal and state
				  nondiscrimination laws, regulations, and policies;
(2) Have WCCC eligibility determined within
				  thirty days from the application date per WAC
				  170-290-0095;
(3) Be informed, in writing, of the
				  consumer's legal rights and responsibilities related to WCCC
				  benefits;
(4) Receive a written
				  notice at least ten days before DSHS makes changes to lower or stop benefits
				  except as stated in WAC
				  170-290-0115;
(5) Ask for an administrative hearing if the
				  consumer does not agree with DSHS about a decision per WAC
				  170-290-0280;
(6) Ask a supervisor or administrator to
				  review a decision or action affecting the consumer's benefits without affecting
				  the right to an administrative hearing;
(7) Have an interpreter or translator service
				  provided by DSHS within a reasonable amount of time and at no cost to the
				  consumer;
(8) Choose a provider as
				  long as the provider meets the requirements in WAC
				  170-290-0125;
(9) Ask the fraud early detection (FRED)
				  investigator from the DSHS office of fraud and accountability (OFA) to come
				  back at another time. A consumer does not have to let an investigator into the
				  consumer's home. This request will not affect the consumer's eligibility for
				  benefits. If the consumer refuses to cooperate (provide the information
				  requested) with the investigator, it could affect the consumer's eligibility
				  for benefits;
(10) Access to the
				  consumer's child at all times while the child is in child care;
(11) Terminate child care without cause and
				  without notice to the provider. Notice must be given to DSHS within five days
				  of termination;
(12) Not be charged
				  by the consumer's licensed, certified, or license-exempt provider, or be made
				  to pay for the difference between the provider's private rate and the state
				  maximum rate, when the provider's private rate for child care is higher than
				  the maximum state rate;
(13) Not be
				  charged by the consumer's licensed or certified provider, or be made to pay
				  for:
(a) The difference between the provider's
				  registration fee and the state's maximum registration fee, when the provider's
				  registration fee is higher;
(b) Any
				  day when the consumer's child is absent;
(c) Vacation days when the provider chooses
				  to close;
(d) A higher amount than
				  the state allows for field trips. If the consumer requests, and the provider
				  has a written policy in place, the consumer may voluntarily pay the difference
				  between the amount that the state allows and the actual field trip
				  cost;
(e) A preschool tuition fee
				  in addition to regular child care services; or
(f) Child care services after the final day
				  of care, when the provider stops caring for the consumer's children.