Payments

N.  Non-Standard Hours Bonus

The WAC to support the Non-Standard Hours Bonus is being written and filed. It should be effective in February or March.

As of December 7, 2007, you may authorize a Non-Standard Hours Bonus (NSHB) payment of $50 per child per month for care provided in January 2008 or later if:

1. The provider is licensed or certified;

2. The provider is expected to provide at least 45 hours of non-standard hours care; and

3. The total cost of the NSHB to the state has not exceeded two million dollars during the biennium.

Non-standard hours are defined as:

1. Weekdays before 6 a.m. or after 6 p.m.;

2. Saturdays and Sundays; and

3. Legal holidays, as defined in RCW 1.16.050.

Clarifying Information

1. The NSHB payment is set at $50. The payment may not be less than or more than $50.

2. The NSHB begins with care provided in January 2008.

3. The NSHB does not need to be requested. Authorize the NSHB if the schedule supports it.

4. You may only enter one child per authorization line. You may not combine children on one service line.

5. This bonus is required for licensed or certified homes under the collective bargaining agreement. However, authorize the bonus for child care centers also.

Worker Responsibilities

1. Authorize the NSHB back to January 1, 2008 if the consumer is eligible and:

   1. The consumer or provider requests the NSHB; or

   2. You review the case and find you did not already authorize the bonus.

2. You must select an objective code on the authorization. The code will help gather information about when consumers are using non-standard hours, such as if most the care occurs only on the weekends. WCAP will give you a drop down menu with the code. It is important the correct code is chosen and updated as necessary if the schedule changes. The information will help in analyzing the use of the code and possible fiscal impacts. Your options include:

   1. Before 6 a.m. and/or after 6 pm

   2. Anytime on Weekends or holidays

   3. Both

3. You are not responsible for knowing whether the state has exceeded the two million dollars of NSHB funds during the biennium. DEL will monitor expenditures and notify DSHS if it appears the funds will be expended before the biennium.

4. If the consumer's schedule generally supports the NSHB, authorize it ongoing. The provider is responsible to bill when they provide care.

5. If the consumer's schedule generally doesn't support the NSHB, but the consumer informs you in a particular month they did meet the bonus requirements authorize the NSHB for that month. For example, if the consumer does not normally meet the 45 hour requirement but working a holiday allows them to meet the 45 hour requirement that month. If the NSHB is not ongoing, remember to close the authorization line.

6. You are not required to monitor attendance and billing for the NSHB. The provider is responsible to bill the NSHB correctly. If discovered, an overpayment for the NSHB can be processed:

   • To the consumer if the parent used the care and their approved activity does not support those hours.

   • To the provider if they bill the NSHB and did not provide care.