Consumers' rights.
When consumers apply for or receive WCCC benefits, they have the right to:
(1) Be free from discrimination in accordance with all applicable federal and state nondiscrimination laws, regulations, and policies;
(2) Have WCCC eligibility determined within 30 days from the application date per WAC
110-15-0095;
(3) Be informed, in writing, of their legal rights and responsibilities related to WCCC benefits;
(4) Receive a written notice at least 10 days before DCYF makes changes to lower or stop benefits except as stated in WAC
110-15-0115;
(5) Ask for an administrative hearing under WAC
110-15-0280 if they disagree with DCYF about a decision;
(6) Ask a supervisor or administrator to review a decision or action affecting their benefits without affecting their right to an administrative hearing;
(7) Have an interpreter or translator service provided by DCYF within a reasonable amount of time and at no cost to them;
(8) Choose a provider as long as the provider meets the requirements in WAC
110-15-0125;
(9) Ask the fraud early detection (FRED) investigator from the DSHS office of fraud and accountability (OFA) to come back at another time. Consumers do not have to let an investigator into their homes. These requests will not affect their eligibility for benefits. Consumers' refusal to provide information to an OFA investigators request could affect their eligibility for benefits;
(10) Access their children at all times while the children are in child care;
(11) Terminate child care without cause and without notice to providers. Notice must be given to DCYF within five days of termination;
(12) Not be charged by the consumer's licensed, certified, or license-exempt provider, or be made to pay for the difference between the provider's private rate and the state maximum rate, when the provider's private rate for child care is higher than the maximum state rate;
(13) Not be charged by their licensed or certified providers, or otherwise be made to pay for:
(a) The difference between providers' registration fees and the state's maximum registration fee, when the providers' registration fees are higher;
(b) Any day when their children are absent;
(c) Vacation days when their providers' choose to close;
(d) A higher amount than the state allows for field trips. If the consumers request, and providers have a written policy in place, consumers may voluntarily pay the difference between the amount that the state allows and the actual cost of the field trip;
(e) A preschool tuition fee in addition to regular child care services; or
(f) Child care services after the final day of care, when their providers stop caring for their children.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
43.216.055 and
43.216.065. WSR 22-05-007, § 110-15-0025, filed 2/3/22, effective 3/6/22. WSR 18-14-078, recodified as § 110-15-0025, filed 6/29/18, effective 7/1/18. Statutory Authority: RCW
43.215.060,
43.215.070, and chapter
43.215 RCW. WSR 16-09-059, § 170-290-0025, filed 4/15/16, effective 5/16/16; WSR 12-11-025, § 170-290-0025, filed 5/8/12, effective 6/8/12. Statutory Authority: Chapter
43.215 RCW, RCW
43.215.060,
43.215.070, 2011 1st sp.s. c 42, 2011 1st sp.s. c 50, and 2006 c 265 § 501. WSR 11-18-001, § 170-290-0025, filed 8/24/11, effective 9/24/11. Statutory Authority: RCW
43.215.060,
43.215.070, 2006 c 265, and chapter
43.215 RCW. WSR 09-22-043, § 170-290-0025, filed 10/28/09, effective 12/1/09. WSR 08-08-047, recodified as § 170-290-0025, filed 3/27/08, effective 3/27/08. Statutory Authority: RCW
74.04.050,
74.12.340,
74.13.085, and 2003 1st sp.s. c 25. WSR 04-08-021 and 04-08-134, § 388-290-0025, filed 3/29/04 and 4/7/04, effective 5/28/04. Statutory Authority: RCW
74.04.050 and C.F.R. Parts 98 and 99 (Child Care Development Fund Rules). WSR 02-01-135, § 388-290-0025, filed 12/19/01, effective 1/19/02.]
