| (a) The following factors are considered and discussed
in negotiating and determining benefits:
(1) We evaluate your child's present need for services
in relation to your family's income, expenses, circumstances, and
plans for the future.
(2) Benefits are intended only to assist in meeting
your child's needs and your parental responsibilities.
(3) Any and all sources of income and support that
are specifically designated for the child (such as Retirement, Survivors,
Disability Insurance (RSDI) or Veterans Administration (VA) benefits)
must be applied toward meeting the child's needs.
(4) We do not consider costs associated with your choice
to meet the child's needs through private sources when those needs
can be met through other publicly funded sources.
(5) If the child needs special services not covered
by your private insurance or Texas Medicaid, we must determine the
actual cost of services available to meet those needs. If actual costs
are not available, we determine a reasonable estimate of projected
costs.
(b) There is a limit to the amount of a monthly payment
that you can negotiate. You are informed of the maximum monthly payment
amount that you can negotiate at the time of your application for
adoption assistance.
(c) Whenever you are offered, or are receiving, the
maximum monthly payment amount, you cannot request:
(1) an increase in your adoption assistance payment
amount; or
(2) an appeal regarding the payment amount.
(d) The maximum monthly payment amount depends upon
the child's authorized service level (or level of care) at the beginning
of the adoptive placement. The payment ceiling for Basic care is $400
per month; the payment ceiling for Moderate, Specialized, and Intense
care is $545 per month.
(e) Under the Texas Child-Centered Care (T3C) System,
the maximum monthly payment depends on the child's recommended service
package at the beginning of the adoptive placement. The payment ceiling
for a child who is placed in the T3C Basic Foster Family Support Services
is $400 per month; the payment ceiling for a child placed in any other
Service Package is $545 per month.
|
| Source Note: The provisions of this §700.844 adopted to be effective May 1, 2002, 27 TexReg 2838; amended to be effective September 1, 2007, 32 TexReg 5388; amended to be effective December 22, 2024, 49 TexReg 10389 |
