TITLE social-services-and-assistance

Part I. Texas Department of Human Services

Chapter 3. Income Assistance Services

Subchapter V. Medicaid Eligibility

40 TAC §3.2203, §3.2204

The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) adopts amendments to §3.2203, concerning four months post-Medicaid eligibility, and §3.2204, concerning type program 07 Medicaid, in its Income Assistance Services chapter.

The justification for the amendments is to comply with Section 1931 of the Social Security Act of 1996, effective August 22, 1996.

The amendments will function by ensuring that DHS will be in compliance with an interpretation from the Health Care Financing Administration of Public Law 104-193, which allows clients to have continued Medicaid coverage and go to their own doctor instead of the emergency room.

The amendments are adopted under the Human Resources Code, Title 2, Chapter 31, which provides the department with the authority to administer financial assistance programs. The amendments are adopted in compliance with federal requirements effective August 22, 1996.

The amendments implement the Human Resources Code, §§31.001- 31.0325.

§3.2203.Four Months Post-Medicaid Eligibility.

Households who receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Medicaid only under Section 1931 of the Social Security Act and are denied because of receipt of child support are eligible for four months post-Medicaid as stipulated in the Social Security Act, 406(h).

§3.2204.Type Program 07 Medicaid.

(a)

For Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) households in the State Welfare Reform Control Group as described in §3.6004 of this title (relating to Applicability of Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) Policies Resulting from Human Resources Code §31.0031, Dependent Child's Income; Human Resources Code §31.012, Mandatory Work or Participation in Employment Activities Through the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training Program; Human Resources Code §31.014, Two-Parent Families; and Human Resources Code §31.032, Investigation and Determination of Eligibility) the following apply:

(1)

Households who receive TANF or Medicaid only under Section 1931 of the Social Security Act and are denied because of new or increased earnings or because of increased work hours of the principle wage earner parent on a TANF Unemployed Parent case are eligible for 12 months post-Medicaid, as stipulated in the Social Security Act, 1925.

(2)-(3)

(No change.)

(b)

All other households who receive TANF or Medicaid only under Section 1931 of the Social Security Act and are denied because of new or increased earnings are eligible for 12 months post-Medicaid for reasons stipulated in the Social Security Act, 1925, as long as an eligible child resides in the home, except for those households eligible for 18 months post-Medicaid. Households are eligible for 18 months post-Medicaid in this situation if the caretaker or second parent is exempt from Choices participation and voluntarily participates in Choices as specified in Human Resources Code §31.012.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 15, 1999.

TRD-9902199

Paul Leche

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Effective date: August 22, 1996

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3765


Chapter 48. Community Care for Aged and Disabled

Subchapter F. In-Home and Family Support Program

40 TAC §48.2702

The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) adopts an amendment to §48.2702, without changes to the proposed text published in the March 12, 1999, issue of the Texas Register (24 TexReg 1760).

Currently, DHS requires that an applicant for the In-Home and Family Support Program (IH/FSP) file an application form to access the program waiting list. DHS has determined this is an unnecessary burden on applicants and is removing this barrier to waiting list access by revising the rule. The revised rule will allow an applicant's name to be placed on the IH/FSP list by simply making a verbal request for IH/FSP assistance. The new procedures have been developed for all DHS Community Care programs, thereby allowing people to apply for IH/FSP through the Community Care intake system, rather than being referred to a separate system for IH/FSP. In addition, applicants can access the waiting list more expediently through a telephone request, and will not be required to complete an application form until services are actually available.

The amendment will function by providing a streamlined process for IH/FSP applicants to access the program's waiting list.

During the public comment period, DHS received a comment from the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities in support of the proposal.

The amendment is adopted under the Human Resources Code, Title 2, Chapters 22 and 35, which provides the department with the authority to administer public assistance and support services to people with disabilities.

The amendment implements §§22.001-22.030 and 35.001-35.012 of the Human Resources Code.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 19, 1999.

TRD-9902251

Paul Leche

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Effective date: May 15, 1999

Proposal publication date: March 12, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3765


Chapter 69. Contracted Services

The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) adopts the repeal of §69.212, and adopts new §69.212, without changes to the proposed text published in the March 12, 1999, issue of the Texas Register (24 TexReg 1760).

The justification for the repeal and new section is to ensure that DHS makes every reasonable effort to reduce risks associated with Year 2000 problems. To adequately address its responsibilities, DHS is adopting a new rule to (1) require the continuation of contract deliverables provided prior to Year 2000, as well as those provided on or after Year 2000 (some pre-year 2000 deliverables are dependent upon Year 2000 recognition); (2) require the continuation of contract deliverables according to the contract, rather than addressing only health and safety issues; (3) assure that embedded/imbedded logic integral to systems used to deliver goods and services, not just the contractor's computer systems, will not negatively influence the provision of contract deliverables; and (4) address actions that DHS may take to cure contractors' noncompliance with the rule.

The repeal and new section will function by ensuring that the delivery of contracted goods and services to Texas' neediest families and individuals are not interrupted, disrupted, degraded, delayed, or misapplied due to Year 2000 automation difficulties.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the repeal and new section.

Subchapter L. Contract Administration

40 TAC §69.212

The repeal is adopted under the Human Resources Code, Title 2, §22.002(f), which allows DHS to accomplish the purpose of its programs by contracting. Implicit in the act is DHS's ability to adopt rules for contract administration.

The repeal implements the Human Resources Code, §22.002(f).

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 19, 1999.

TRD-9902252

Paul Leche

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Effective date: May 15, 1999

Proposal publication date: March 12, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3765


The new section is adopted under the Human Resources Code, Title 2, §22.002(f), which allows DHS to accomplish the purpose of its programs by contracting. Implicit in the act is DHS's ability to adopt rules for contract administration.

The new section implements the Human Resources Code, §22.002(f).

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 19, 1999.

TRD-9902253

Paul Leche

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Effective date: May 15, 1999

Proposal publication date: March 12, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3765