New Foster Care Application, Approve Relative Caregiver (ARC) Funding Option

In order to approve ARC for a new foster care application the relative caregiver (RC) must have a signed and completed the ARC 1, obtained Resource Family Approval and have been denied federal foster care funding.

The Intake FC EW receives case assignment and reviews the ARC 1.

If the relative is... Then...
A Non-Needy Caregiver
  • Reviews the ARC 1 for the potentially eligible child.

Note: The ARC 1 form must be signed by the Approved Relative Caregiver, the Eligibility Worker and the Eligibility Worker Supervisor.

  • Advises relative caregiver of ARC eligibility.
  • Proceeds to Step 1.
A needy caregiver and wants CalWORKs (CW)
  • Provides a courtesy SAWS 2 Plus.
  • Provides “ARC Informing Letter New Cases” (SCD 2404).
  • Provides “Information for Approved Relative Caregivers” (Pub 468),
  • Refers the relative caregiver to District Office (DO) to apply for CW.
  • Advises relative caregiver of ARC eligibility. 

Note: FC Clerical must date stamp all documents that are sent to DO. They must  add the ARC Stamp to all related ARC documents before sending them to DO.
Active Relative Cases  
Is on CW with the ARC eligible child,

When all documents are received and eligibility may be determined, the Intake EW updates the ARC case and contacts the DO to run EDBC to discontinue the case. The discontinuance NOA will be generated on the CW case. The worker should provide the following to DO:

  • Case name,
  • ARC eligible child’s full name and DOB,
  • Case number,
  • ARC payment amount.

 

 

  1. Intake FC EW
    1. Receives and reviews application packet.
    2. Determines if documents are complete.
    3. Makes the federal determination by reviewing the following:
      1. Reviews the SOC 158A.
      2. Reviews the Court Order for the 3 findings.
      3. Determines the Authority for Placement.
      4. Determines the child meets the AFDC Linkage Criteria.
      5. Reviews the RFA Certificate or Home Approval.
    4. Completes the FC3 and FC3A.
      1. If “Not Eligible for Federal AFDC-FC” in month of Petition is selected, completes eligibility and denies federal AFDC-FC.
        1. Verifies the ARC 1 has been completed.
      2. If eligible for federal AFDC-FC, follows the current process for federally eligible placements.

    5. Note: RFA homes may not be fully approved when sent to Intake for processing. The Intake EW will pay any approved funding to a Temp RFA home. The eligibility documents are held in a designated location until DFCS sends a SOC 158A when the home is fully approved.

  2. Intake FC EW 
    1. Receives ARC assignment.
    2. Receives and reviews ARC application packet.
    3. Reviews the RFA Certificate or Home Approval.
    4. Reviews the FC3 and FC3A to be certain the check box “Not Eligible for Federal AFDC-FC” in month of petition is checked.
    5. If receiving SSA/SSI benefits completes the SSA-11-BK (see Application for SSI/SSA handbook chapter) and sends an e-mail to the SSI/SSA Coordinator.
    6. When there is no CW 51 on file, the absent parent is referred to the DCSS for recoupment of the ARC payment for aid codes 2S, 2P and 2T only.

      1. Note: Children placed by the parents under a “Voluntary Placement Agreement” (VPA) are eligible for ARC for only 180 days. The ARC payment can only continue if the child becomes court dependent before the expiration date, otherwise payments must be terminated.

    7. For more information regarding the VPA program refer to the FC handbook [Refer to Authority for Placement chapter page 3-11].
  3. Intake FC EW
    1. Validates the appropriate aid code based on the child’s income, resources and citizenship/immigration status.
  4. Intake FC EW
    1. Issues payment.

      1. Reminder: A SCZ 414Z is required in order to pay SCIs, infant supplements, etc. with 9X funding in NSDI. ARC cases are eligible for LOC rates.

    2. Forwards documents to the FC EWS for IDM, review and transfer to Continuing FC EW.
    3. Forwards all authorized SCIs, clothing allowances, and infant supplements approved under aid code 9X to the continuing FC EW.

      1. Note: Payment must always be confirmed through the Search for Issuance page in CalSAWS.

Related Topics

Triage/Intake