1213 Responsibilities of the Agency - Upon request, the agency must explain the rights and responsibilities of clients and the following requirements placed on the agency.

1213.1 Periodic Reviews - The agency is required to make periodic reviews of eligibility if the application is approved. The agency shall notify the client of the expiration of the review period and shall send the client a new application prior to the last month of the review period.

1213.2 Fraud - The agency is required to investigate and refer for legal action any alleged fraud related to the receipt of assistance.

1213.3 Responsibility to Accept an Identifiable Application - The agency shall accept an application containing a legible name and address (unless homeless) and which has been signed. Refer to 1410.

Any applicant choosing to submit a telephonic signature will be protected against potential impersonation, identity theft or invasion of privacy and the agency will provide accurate linkage between a telephonic signature and the associated application or case file. Telephonic signature is not required and is at the willingness of the client.

1213.4 Responsibility to Review Recipients Timely - The agency has the responsibility to process all subsequent applications timely so there will be no break in the benefits the client is eligible to receive.

1213.5 Responsibility to Establish Claims of Overpayment - The agency is responsible for establishing claims for overpayment (either fraud, client, or agency error).

1213.6 Responsibility to Restore Lost Benefits - The agency shall restore benefits to the client if benefits were wrongfully denied, delayed, or terminated.

1213.7 Responsibility for Giving Notice of Action - The agency is responsible for giving adequate and/or timely notice of action when appropriate.

1213.8 Client Education - The agency is responsible to inform TANF clients about the TANF work activity good cause determination for child care and that a good cause finding does not suspend the TANF "clock" on federal benefits. The agency is also responsible to notify clients that the time limits of the TANF program does not apply to the Food Assistance or GPCG programs and that those that have been terminated from the TANF program because they reached a time limit, begun working, or for other reasons may still qualify for the food assistance benefits.

1213.9 Informed Parental Choice (Child Care) - The agency is responsible to provide access to information about the full range of child care providers available, health and safety requirements and any additional information about quality standards for child care that will assist the client in making an informed choice when selecting a child care provider. The information may be provided by referral to the local Resource and Referral Agency. See 10021 and 10022 for definitions of provider types. EES staff are responsible for providing all families eligible for child care assistance with the handbook “The Parent Provider Partnership” (KEESM appendix item C-11), and informing them of their responsibility to read and understand the information contained in the handbook. This may be accomplished by giving the applicant a link to that handbook if they have access to a computer, or a paper copy of that handbook if the applicant does not have computer access. It must be documented in the case file that the applicant was given either the link or the paper copy of the handbook.

The agency is responsible for providing eligible families with a link to the Child Care in Kansas (CCinK) website (https://childcareinkansas.com).  This website also provides links to information about finding and choosing child care, licensing and compliance information on specific providers, information about developmental screenings and other available services, as well as other information that may be helpful to families, child care providers and other community members.

1213.10 Case File Documentation - The agency has the responsibility to insure that case file documentation supports the decision to provide, deny or change eligibility, benefits, or services.

1213.11 Cost-Effective Service Provision - Services shall be provided in the most cost-effective manner in order to provide the client with the appropriate services within the resources allowed.