PURPOSE: This rule sets forth the procedure to be followed by an individual who has service credits banked with the division and who, because of a need for service for him/herself or a family member, wants to draw on the credits.

1. (1) In order to redeem credits for services provided through the service credit program, the volunteer or his/her caregiver shall call the division’s information and referral (I & R) number (1-800-235-5503) for the telephone number of the approved agency(ies) in the county or, if none, of the division’s county office.

   1. (A) If there is an approved agency serving the county—

      1. 1. The division’s information and refer-

ral operator will call the agency office to inform them of the request for service and the number of credits available;

1. 2. The agency shall then contact the

local division office to request that a worker contact the volunteer or family member by phone to discuss the situation, determine the urgency for assistance and be sure that a higher level of need does not exist. The division shall make this contact and then inform the agency of the findings;

1. 3. The agency shall then within five (5)

working days either contact two (2) volunteers regarding availability and give their name(s) to the requestor so that s/he can make arrangements directly with the volunteer or shall match a volunteer directly; and

1. 4. The volunteer shall turn in time

sheets to the agency to be submitted to the division’s central office for debiting the account of the person redeeming credits and to obtain credits for him/herself.

1. (B) If there is no approved agency—

   1. 1. The volunteer or family member shall

call the local division office to request assistance;

1. 2. The division worker will discuss the

situation, confirm the need and determine the urgency;

1. 3. The division worker will contact cen-

tral office (314) 751-3082 to confirm name and number of hours of credit available;

1. 4. The division worker will then contact

an in-home service provider under contract with the division or the department. The worker will explain the situation, give the number of credit hours available and request that the provider contact the requestor as soon as possible to make arrangements for assistance. If the agency is an approved respite care provider under Title XIX or receives other respite care funding authorized by the division, reimbursement will be at the respite care rate. If not, reimbursement will be at the in-home service rate;

1. 5. The division worker shall send a fol-

low-up letter of confirmation to the agency with a copy to the person redeeming credits authorizing the service (letter will give name, address, telephone number, OVSB ID number of the person to receive assistance and will indicate rate of reimbursement and number of hours authorized); and

1. 6. The agency will bill the division’s

central office for reimbursement for service.

1. (2) Bills for redemption of service credits shall be paid directly by the management services section of the division and the process shall not affect county allocations or require the division service staff on-site visiting time.
2. (3) Credits shall be earned and are redeemable only in Missouri.

AUTHORITY: sections 208.300–208.305, RSMo Supp. 1987.* This rule previously filed as 13 CSR 15-3.050. Original rule filed Sept. 15, 1988, effective Jan. 27, 1989. Moved to 19 CSR 15-3.050, effective Aug. 28, 2001. *Original authority: 208.300–208.305, please see Revised Statutes of Missouri.