worker responsibilities
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Determine monthly hours the consumer needs according to the information the consumer provides. Review:
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The number of hours the consumer is
working or involved in other WorkFirst activities (including
travel and study time);
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If there is a second parent in the household, their ability and availability to provide care;
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The child's school or Head Start / ECEAP / preschool schedule; and
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The consumer's need for sleep time or study time, if applicable (according to WAC 170-290-0040).
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When the consumer consistently works the same number of hours per day, five days per week, multiply the number of hours per day by 22 to arrive at the total monthly hours (22 is the average number of work days in a month). Use this method to figure total monthly hours for in-home / relative and licensed care.
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EXAMPLE 1
Consumer consistently needs care five days per week, five hours per day (includes travel time).
Compute monthly hours:
5 hours per day X 22 days per month = 110 hours per month.
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EXAMPLE 2
A consumer consistently works 10 hours per day, five days per week and is using in-home / relative care.
Compute monthly hours:
10 hours per day X 22 days per month = 220 hours per month
SSPS automatically enters 230 hours per month when you authorize 10 hours per day, five days per week. This allows for variations in the actual number of work days per month (19-23). You do not need to make monthly adjustments to this total.
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The maximum number of hours you can authorize for in-home / relative care is 230 hours per month. When a consumer requires more than 230 hours per month of in-home / relative care, see
Payments F. - Rate Structure "Special Requirements".
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Multiply the number of hours per week by 4.3 weeks to arrive at total monthly hours when the consumer's schedule is:
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Five or fewer days per week and the daily hours are inconsistent; or
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Fewer than five days per week and the hours are consistent.
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EXAMPLE 1
A consumer consistently needs three days of care per week. The consumer needs an average of nine hours on Monday, six hours on Tuesday and eight hours on Wednesday.
Compute monthly hours:
9+6+8 = 23 hours per week
23 hours X 4.3 weeks = 98.9 hours per month
Round up to 99 hours per month. Always round up to the next whole number.
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EXAMPLE 2
Midge works three days per week, nine hours per day and has 30 minutes travel per day.
Compute monthly hours:
9.5+9.5+9.5 = 28.5 hours per week
28.5 hours X 4.3 weeks = 122.55 hours per month
Round up to 123 hours per month.
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It may not be possible to average monthly totals due to partial months of care and changes in schedules. Add separate monthly totals and authorize according to the following example.
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EXAMPLE
The consumer starts work on August 10th, and needs child care through September 3rd, nine hours per day, five days per week. On September 4th, hours will change to 2.5 hours per day because the child starts school.
Make separate monthly calculations to compute monthly hours:
| August |
September |
From Aug. 10th to 31st
9 hours per day |
From Sept. 1st to 3rd
9 hours per day |
| 9 hrs. X 16 days = 144 hrs. for August |
9 hrs X 3 days = 27 hours |
| |
| |
From Sept. 4th to 30th
2.5 hours per day |
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2.5 hrs. X 20 days = 50 hours |
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27 + 50 = 77 hours for September |
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Some consumers may have an "on call" schedule. You can verify that with the employer and base the amount of care you authorize on historical information if available.
If there is no historical information, you can make an estimate. The consumer can call if they need more days or hours. Consider the type of work and the type of care when you determine how many hours to authorize.
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EXAMPLE 1
John works "on-call". His work hours vary significantly. He submitted weekly pay stubs for the past two months that show the following hours:
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Month 1
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Month 2 |
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12
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22 |
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+ 15
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+ 19 |
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+ 20
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+ 20 |
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+ 18
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+ 22 |
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= 65 hours
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= 83 hours |
65 + 83 = 148 total hours for two months |
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÷ 8 weeks |
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= 18.5 hours per week |
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18.5 hours X 4.3 weeks = |
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79.55 hours per month. |
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Round up to the next whole number = 80 hours per month |
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Base the authorization on 80 hours of work per month, the child's schedule, and any travel and/or sleep time the parent needs. |
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EXAMPLE 2
Janie is a substitute teacher. Confirm her on call status with her employer. The district reports they typically use a substitute two to three days per week. Authorize Janie's care as 26 half-days per month. This allows her up to 13 full work days. Advise Janie to contact the office if she needs more days so you can adjust her authorization. |
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Re-evaluate the hours of care the child needs when there are changes in the consumer's, child's or other parent's / adult's schedule.
Effective May 28, 2004
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WAC 170-290-0082 WHEN I AM APPROVED, HOW LONG
IS MY ELIGIBILITY PERIOD?
We can approve you for a period up to six months.
Your eligibility can end prior to your end date as stated in WAC
170-290-0110. |
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Note: This is a reprint of the official rule as published by the Office of the Code Reviser.
If there are previous versions of this rule, they can be found using the Legislative Search page.
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Determining the Length of the Authorization Period
- The maximum case eligibility period for WCCC is six months. Payment authorization periods can be for six months or less. Authorize child care for less than six months when:
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The consumer's employment history is unstable
or is expected to be short term; or
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You expect the amount of authorized child care to change.
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You can authorize care for up to six months even if the consumer's schedule is expected to change. Use "Flag"" system in the WCAP or "Tickle" in the WCAP as reminders to check a consumer's activity. This is especially useful for TANF consumers, as you can check E-JAS and ACES to see if the consumer's situation has changed.
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EXAMPLE 1
Susan and Tom are both employed and have three children. Susan has steady employment, but Tom's work history shows his jobs usually last no more than two to three months. Because Tom's work history has been unsteady, you should authorize child care for no more than three months.
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EXAMPLE 2
Bruce is a WorkFirst participant. He is scheduled to be in work search. His component end date is four weeks from now. Since the WorkFirst program specialist will likely extend Bruce for job search or assign him to another activity, you approve his case for six months. Set alerts to check his participation. If Bruce stops participating before his eligibility end date, send a 10-day termination letter and close his case. |
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