Ariz. Admin. Code § R6-5-4905 - Initial Eligibility Interview

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.

Notes

Ariz. Admin. Code § R6-5-4905

Adopted effective July 31, 1997, under an exemption from the provisions of A.R.S. Title 41, Chapter 6 (Supp. 97-3). Amended by exempt rulemaking at 13 A.A.R. 92, effective December 31, 2006 (Supp. 06-4).

The following Section was adopted under an exemption from the provisions of A.R.S. Title 41, Chapter 6, pursuant to Laws 1997, Ch. 300, § 74(A). Exemption from A.R.S. Title 41, Chapter 6 means the Department did not submit notice of proposed rulemaking to the Secretary of State for publication in the Arizona Administrative Register; the Department did not submit these rules to the Governor's Regulatory Review Council for review and approval; and the Department was not required to hold public hearings on this Section.