- (1) The Department makes payments on behalf of eligible individuals to the providers they select to care for their children. The payments are made directly to the provider unless the provider designates the payments to go directly to the owner of a Certified Family facility. To be eligible for payment, a provider must:
(a) Before August 1, 2026, charge individuals receiving ERDC benefits at a rate no higher than the rate charged other customers;
(b) Provide the Department with their social security number (SSN) or IRS identification number; and
(c) Meet the requirements of OAR 414-175-0080.
(2) Payments for ERDC benefits are subject to each of the following limitations:
(a) Effective August 1, 2026 payment is made for the amount charged to the individual but may not exceed the rate authorized in OAR 414-175-0075.
(b) No payment will be authorized unless the individual has designated a primary provider.
(c) No payment will be made for less than one dollar.
(d) Except as provided otherwise in subsection (e) of this section, a payment is made only for child care provided on or after the date the designated provider has met the requirements to be listed and paid through the Department.
(e) A designated child care provider who the Department approves to be listed and paid through the Department may receive payment for child care provided prior to obtaining Department approval if the provider met the other Department requirements and was licensed under OAR 414-205-0000 to 414-205-0170, 414-350-0000 to 414-350-0405, 414-305-0100 to 414-305-1620, or 414-310-0100 to 414-310-0720.
(f) A caretaker signature is not required on child care billing.
(g) ERDC payment may be made in advance for hours the child enrolled in care for the month. Payment will end if:
(A) the child’s connection to a provider in Oregon ELMS is ends prior to the billing being issued; or
(B) the child has been absent for one full calendar month.
(h) When a provider or owner of a child care site is ineligible to receive payment due to a suspension or IPV:
(A) The Department does not pay any other child care provider for child care at the ineligible individual’s site.
(B) The Department does not pay for care at another site if the ineligible individual is involved in the child care operation unless the Department determines that the reasons the individual is ineligible are not relevant to the new site.
(3) Child care providers must submit claims through the appropriate method. This is either the form designated by the Department or submission through ELMS.
(4) No payment will be made for a paper claim not received by the Department by the last day of the third month after the form was issued unless the Department determines the provider has good cause for not returning the form timely.
(5) Child care billings cannot be issued or reissued more than 12 months from the month that care was provided.
Statutory/Other Authority
ORS 329A.500
Statutes/Other Implemented
ORS 329A.500
History
DELC 8-2026, amend filed 05/28/2026, effective 06/01/2026
DELC 5-2025, amend filed 06/25/2025, effective 07/01/2025
DELC 134-2024, amend filed 06/26/2024, effective 07/01/2024
ELD 11-2023, adopt filed 06/28/2023, effective 07/01/2023