PURPOSE: This rule establishes the Hand- Up Pilot Program, herein known as the program, which is designed to allow persons currently receiving child care benefits and who experience an increase in income that causes them to exceed the allowed monthly income guidelines for full child care benefits to continue receiving child care while sharing in the cost. The goal of the Hand-Up Pilot Program is to reduce the sudden loss of child care assistance as participants move towards self-sufficiency.

1. (1) To be eligible for the program the participant shall—

   1. (A) Have received full child care benefits as specified in 13 CSR 35-32.010 for four (4) months;
   2. (B) Be ineligible for services because their income exceeds the allowed monthly income guidelines for full child care services pursuant to 13 CSR 35-32.010;
   3. (C) Meet Child Care Assistance program requirements as specified in 13 CSR 35- 32.010;
   4. (D) Voluntarily consent to be included in the program within ninety (90) days after losing eligibility based on income;
   5. (E) Agree to pay a monthly premium as specified in section (4) of this rule; and
   6. (F) Have a calculated premium less than the amount of the child care benefit.

2. (2) The division shall specify at least two (2) providers for the pilot program based on the following criteria:

   1. (A) At least one (1) provider shall be located in at least one (1) rural county;
   2. (B) At least one (1) provider shall be located in at least one (1) urban county and serve at least three hundred (300) families;
   3. (C) The providers shall have a valid license issued by the Department of Health and Senior Services, Section for Child Care Regulation;
   4. (D) The providers must have a current contract with the Department of Social Services (department) to provide child care services;
   5. (E) The providers must agree to be a provider in this program and to abide by section (3) of this rule; and
   6. (F) The designation of the providers under this section is at the discretion of the department. The decision as to the providers who will participate in the pilot program is not subject to review by providers not chosen to participate in the pilot.

3. (3) The chosen providers by the department shall—

   1. (A) Have a valid child care license in good standing issued by the Department of Health and Senior Services during their participation in the pilot program;
   2. (B) Remain compliant with their contract with the Department of Social Services and follow all contract terms in the billing for child care services rendered to participants in this program; and
   3. (C) Follow contract terms for participants in this program, unless the department, at its sole discretion and in writing, waives a term for participants in this program.

4. (4) The participant shall pay a monthly premium to participate in this program.

   1. (A) The participant’s premium shall be forty-four percent (44%) of the participant’s excess adjusted gross income over the maximum allowed monthly income for the applicable family size as of August 28, 2012. The participant will be informed as to their monthly premium by first class mail, at least fifteen (15) days prior to the due date.
   2. (B) The premium shall be due on or before the last day of the month for which coverage is calculated.
   3. (C) After sixty (60) days of non-payment by the participant, the participant shall be permanently removed from the program.
   4. (D) If the option is made available, the participant may request to have their premium deducted from their monthly payroll.
5. (5) The division shall issue a notice of adverse action for this program in the same manner and context for which it issues notices of adverse actions on child care cases. The individual shall be provided a fair hearing upon request, within ninety (90) days after the adverse action has been issued. The existing hearings process outlined in 13 CSR 40-2.160 shall apply to hearings and appeals related to this program.
6. (6) Any participant may opt out of this program at any time. Once a participant has opted out of the program, or been terminated for non-payment of premiums, they shall not be allowed to participate in the program again.

AUTHORITY: section 208.053, RSMo Supp. 2012.* Original rule filed May 1, 2013, effective Nov. 30, 2013. *Original authority: 208.053, RSMo 2012.