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REV. MARCH 10, 2009

NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF CCS PR MANUAL LETTER # 17-2009 HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 392 NA

OGRAM C 4-000 CHAPTER 4-000 AUTHORIZATION AND NOTICE

4-001 Authorization: The worker notifies the provider and the client of the client’s eligibility and the amount of the client’s fee on an authorization notice. If an individual in-home service provider is authorized, the client must sign Form IRS-2678, “Employer Appointment of Agent.”

4-001.01 Authorization Standards: To authorize any service, whether staff-provided or purchased, the worker:

1. Determines that the client has been found eligible on the application (in no case will the beginning service authorization date be before the beginning eligibility date shown on the application); 2. Determines the reason that the client needs child care (see 392 NAC 3-008); 3. Determines that the provider from whom service is purchased has a valid agreement; and 4. Explains that any authorization is subject to review to ensure that the service is delivered as authorized. 4-001.02 Authorization Date: Authorization of service must not begin before the service plan is completed and the date the client’s completed application is received in the office. For a client who is receiving other assistance and then requests Child Care Subsidy, authorization of service begins no earlier than the date of request for Child Care Subsidy. If the client appears eligible and chooses an approved provider, the case manager authorizes payment. If the client is determined ineligible, the case manager must send a Notice of Action notifying the client. The local office dates the application on the date of receipt. 4-001.02A Provider Not Approved: If the client chooses a child care provider who is not approved, the case manager refers the provider to the staff responsible for resource development for approval. If the provider is approved, payment may be made effective with the client’s request but no earlier than the date of receipt of the application. If the provider cannot be approved, the worker issues a voucher to reimburse the client for the time period between the request and denial of the approval. Once the provider is denied, the worker may allow payment for up to ten days after notification of the client if the client needs time to find a new provider. Within the ten days the client must choose among approved providers or find another provider to be approved.