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CHILD CARE SUBSIDY ELIGIBILITY POLICY MANUAL 2 SECTION 2: APPLICATION PROCESS Any individual may apply for assistance. Eligibility determinations shall be reviewed by DESE within 15 calendar days of receipt of the signed, completed application. A completed application shall include the applicant’s name, the child’s name, the applicant’s contact information, and a signature. All applications shall by signed, which may include an electronic signature. An applicant who applies on their own may designate an Authorized Representative at any time to assist them in completing the application process. 2.1 REQUESTS FOR CHILD CARE SUBSIDY An applicant may submit an application the following ways: (1) Complete an online application by visiting Missouri’s Child Care System; or (2) Complete and submit a paper application by mail to the Department of Education and Secondary Education, Office of Childhood-Subsidy, P.O. Box 480, Jefferson City, Missouri, 65102; or (3) Complete and sign an application at local FSD offices throughout the state of Missouri. 2.2 SIGNING THE APPLICATION The applicant, legal guardian, conservator, authorized representative, or power of attorney may sign the application. If the applicant has a conservator, the court appointed conservator shall sign and complete the application. If the applicant has a guardian, either the guardian or the applicant may sign the application. 2.3 DATE OF REQUEST The date of request is the date the application is received by DESE. 2.4 REQUESTS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR CLARIFICATION Interviews are not required and are only requested by DESE to acquire information not listed on or clarify information provided with an application. DESE may request additional or clarifying information by phone or mail. Upon DESE’s notification to the applicant, the applicant shall have 10 calendar days to provide the requested information. 2.5 VOLUNTARY WITHDRAWAL OF APPLICATION An applicant may withdraw their application at any time by submitting a written request to DESE. 2.6 APPLICATION APPROVAL If the applicant meets all eligibility requirements within 15 calendar days of submission of the initial application, the application shall be approved. Incomplete applications older than 15 calendar days will be rejected. All rejected applications may apply again by submitting a new application to DESE. Eligibility determinations shall be made for a period of 12 months, with the exception of job search, which shall only be for 90 days, unless DESE becomes aware of information making the participant or the eligible child no longer eligible, as explained in Section 8: Participant Notification Requirements. 2.7 APPLICATION DENIAL An application shall be rejected on the fifteenth calendar day from the date of application if: (1) The applicant fails to provide necessary verification as requested by DESE within the timeframe requested by DESE; or (2) The applicant has a child care overpayment and has not agreed to, or is non‐compliant with, a repayment plan in accordance with 5 CSR 25‐200.100 Child Care Provider Overpayments.