441—184.3 (225C) Application process. Applications for the family support subsidy program may be obtained at the local office of the department in the county in which the family resides. Arrangements shall be made through the local office for the parent or legal guardian to meet with a trained volunteer or staff person to respond to questions.
	 184.3(1) A parent or legal guardian who wishes to apply shall complete Form 470-2526, Application for Family Support Subsidy, and provide the following verification for each family member for whom application is being made:
	  a.   	 Verification of the family’s net taxable income for the previous calendar year, or estimated income for the current year.
	  b.   	 Verification of educational or health care needs.
	 (1) 	 If the child has undergone an educational evaluation and by educational determination has a moderate, severe, or profound educational handicap or special health care needs, either the child’s school principal, local superintendent of schools or the director of special education for the area education association, or any person so designated by the above individuals, shall complete the educational sign-off portion of Form 470-2526, Application for Family Support Subsidy.
	 (2) 	 If the child has not undergone an educational evaluation and, therefore, the parents or guardians are unable to obtain signatures on the educational sign-off portion of Form 470-2526, then the medical sign-off portion of Form 470-2526 shall be utilized. When using the medical sign-off portion of Form 470-2526, the doctor completing the form shall be familiar with the child and the definition of developmental disability as defined in the federal Developmental Disabilities Act, Section 102(5), as codified in 42 U.S.C. 6001(5), which is contained on the form itself. In addition, the doctor shall be a doctor of medicine (M.D.) or a doctor of osteopathic medicine and surgery (D.O.) and licensed to practice in the doctor’s state of residence.
	 (3) 	 The application shall identify the age at which the family member’s eligibility shall end. The age identified is subject to approval by the department.
	 184.3(2) The date of application is the date that Form 470-2526 and all verifications specified in subrule 184.3(1) are received in the local office of the department. Application materials shall be processed in the office within two working days of receipt. Obtaining verifications is the responsibility of the applicant.
	 184.3(3) A determination of eligibility shall be made within 15 working days after the completed application and required verification are received by the department.
	 184.3(4) After funds appropriated for this purpose are obligated, pending applications will be denied.
	  a.   	 A denial shall require a notice of decision to be mailed within ten calendar days following the determination that funds have been obligated. The notice shall state that the applicant meets eligibility requirements but no funds are available and that the applicant will be placed on the waiting list, or that the applicant does not meet eligibility requirements.
	  b.   	 Applicants not awarded funding who meet the eligibility requirements will be placed on a statewide waiting list according to the order in which the completed applications and verification were received by the local office. In the event that more than one application is received at one time, families shall be entered on the waiting list on the basis of the day of the month of the child’s birthday, the lowest number being first on the waiting list. Any subsequent tie shall be decided by the month of birth, January being month one and the lowest number.