WAG 06-16-05-b: Child Care Approved by Staff (TANF)

PM 06-16-05-b

1. (Client) Requests child care.
2. (Staff) Gives the client a IL444-3455 Child Care Application for each provider for whom payment is requested, if it is not already in the record.  A completed and signed IL444-3455 Child Care Application must be received before a child care payment (prospective or based on verified costs) is approved.  Also gives the client IL444-1897 Statement of Child Care Costs or IL444-1897A Statement of Child Care Cost Due to Employment, unless a prospective payment is needed.
3. (Staff) Records the client's request for child care and/or the child care copayment on the IL444-4003 Responsibility and Services Plan.
4. (Client & Provider) Completes and returns IL444-3455 Child Care Application with IL444-1897 Statement of Child Care Cost.  For employed clients, use IL444-1897A Statement of Child Care Cost Due to Employment.
5. (Staff) Receives IL444 3455 Child Care Application and IL444-1897 Statement of Child Care Cost / IL444-1897A Statement of Child Care Cost Due to Employment and determines if:
   • the child care is being provided in a legal care arrangement;
   • the amount of care to be provided is consistent with the agreed upon plan of participation; and
   • the client and provider have completed and signed the form.
   1. If IL444-3455 Child Care Application is not returned within 30 days, sends IL444-3185 Disposition of Child Care Request to the client with a copy to the provider (if known) notifying them that DHS is unable to authorize payment because the IL444-3455 Child Care Application was not received.
   2. If Form IL444-3455 Child Care Application is returned after 30 days, routes the form to the appropriate CCR&R Agency for disposition.
6. (Staff) Determines the copayment amount, if applicable.
7. (Staff) Completes IL444-3185 Disposition of Child Care Request from the information obtained on IL444-3455 Child Care Application and IL444-1897 Statement of Child Care Cost / IL444-1897A Statement of Child Care Cost Due to Employment.

   NOTE: If payment to the provider is approved, indicate on the form the starting and ending dates of the period for which child care payments may be made (the duration of the plan), the copayment amount, and the maximum payment rate. 

8. (Staff) Sends the original IL444-3185 Disposition of Child Care Request to the client.  Sends a copy of IL444-3185 Disposition of Child Care Request to the child care provider(s).  Forwards IL444-3455 Child Care Application and a copy of IL444-3185 Disposition of Child Care Request to the CCR&R Agency.  Keeps copies of all forms in the case record.
9. (Staff) Issues child care payment, minus the copayment, if applicable, redirected to the provider, after the care is provided and IL444-1897 Statement of Child Care Cost is returned, except in situations where not issuing a prospective payment will result in a loss of the child care arrangement.  See WAG 06-16-06 for maximum payment rates.

   Prospective Payments 

10. (Staff) Issues a prospective payment, minus the copayment, if applicable, redirected to the provider, when not issuing will result in the loss of a child care arrangement.  Base the prospective payment on the IL444-3455 Child Care Application and the client's statement of anticipated expenses, subject to the appropriate rates, maximums, and copayments (see WAG 06-16-06).  IL444-1897 Statement of Child Care Cost is not required in this situation.