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Child Care Assistance Program Policy Manual Issued 05/2022 Fraud referrals 13.3 These situations could occur at registration, renewal, billing, when information is updated or reviewed for accuracy, or when the CCAP agency receives a report of potential fraud. Continuation of benefits During a fraud investigation: • Continue family benefits if current eligibility exists. Do not close a case or deny benefits to a family under investigation for fraud if they are otherwise eligible, unless another reason exists to close or deny the family’s benefits • Do not close or deny a provider’s registration or stop making payments to authorized providers, unless another reason exists to close or deny the provider’s registration. Disqualification process and fraud consequences Disqualify parentally responsible individuals (PRI) and child care providers who have wrongfully obtained assistance or committed an Intentional Program Violation (IPV). For information about the disqualification process and consequences for fraud, see: • Chapter 13.6 (Disqualification for wrongfully obtaining assistance – Families), • Chapter 13.9 (Disqualification for wrongfully obtaining assistance – Providers), • Chapter 13.6.3 (Administrative disqualification - Families), • Chapter 13.6.6 (Entering disqualification periods in MEC2 – Families), • Chapter 13.9.3 (Administrative disqualification – Providers), and • Chapter 13.9.6 (Entering disqualification periods in MEC2 – Providers). Notification of overpayments If the fraud investigator or county or tribal attorney believes that claims activity may hinder an investigation, CCAP workers must delay notifying the family or provider of an initial overpayment until fraud has been determined or the case has been closed. CCAP agencies are required to start recovery or recoupment by the last day of the calendar quarter that includes the discovery date of the claim. See DISCOVERY DATE in Chapter 2 (Glossary). An investigation may identify additional information about the overpayment, so the discovery date is unknown until fraud has been determined and/or the case is closed. Establishing overpayments for fraud CCAP agencies cannot establish an overpayment for fraud before fraud is determined. For information about how fraud is determined, see Chapter 13.6 (Disqualification for wrongfully obtaining assistance – Families) and Chapter 13.9 (Disqualification for wrongfully obtaining assistance – Providers).