Public children services agencies (PCSAs) are responsible for determining eligibility for and signing agreements with parents for payment or reimbursement of nonrecurring adoption expenses. However, PCSAs are not required to pay or reimburse parents out of its own funds. If the PCSA opts to reimburse parents or pay service providers directly in order to provide immediate assistance to the adoptive parents, the PCSA is entitled to full reimbursement from the state up to the $2,000 maximum allowed for each adoption. Alternatively, the PCSA may file a claim in behalf of the adoptive parents for later reimbursement by ODHS.
CLAIM FILING DEADLINES
LAPSING QUARTER:
PCSAs who have already paid nonrecurring adoption expenses in behalf of parents must be aware of the two year deadline for claiming reimbursement on the PCSAs behalf. PCSAs must file a claim for reimbursement with the department by the first of the third month which marks two years from the quarter in which they originally paid or reimbursed the adoptive parents for their expenses. For example, if a PCSA paid the parents legal expenses in July 1987, the agency must file a claim for reimbursement by September 1, 1989.
CURRENT QUARTER:
Current claims for nonrecurring adoption expenses are due the 20th of the month following the end of each quarter (e.g., July-September claim is due October 20). Reimbursement for properly filed claims will be made within sixty days after the submittal deadline.
All claims must be mailed to:
Ohio Department of Human Services
Bureau of Operations/Resource Management Unit
30 E. Broad Street, 37th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43266-0423
If you have questions regarding this procedure letter, please contact your district office social services supervisor. Information contained in this procedure letter was formerly issued in Child Welfare Procedure No. 59-A (8/12/89).