Section 265.24.4. Application.

Applications for the HCBS rent subsidy program may be obtained on the authority’s Web site at www.iowafinanceauthority.gov. Applications shall be submitted to the Iowa Finance Authority, HCBS Rent Subsidy Program, 2015 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50312.

       24.4(1) Application process. A person who wishes to apply shall complete the Application for HCBS Rent Subsidy and provide verification of the following:

        a.           The applicant’s estimated monthly gross income for the 12 months following application, including written evidence from the income sources used to determine that income.

        b.           Written evidence from sources of local rental assistance available in the applicant’s community that the applicant has applied for that rental assistance and that the applicant has been determined ineligible or placed on a waiting list for that rental assistance. If the waiting list for rental assistance has been closed, a copy of that notice is considered written documentation if signed and dated by a representative of the local rental assistance program.

        c.           The total amount of the monthly rent for the qualified rental unit.

        d.           The total number of bedrooms in the qualified rental unit.

        e.           The applicant’s number of dependent relatives living full-time in the qualified rental unit.

       24.4(2) Date of application. The date of the application shall be the date the completed application is received by the authority, including written verification of gross income, written verification of application to other rental assistance programs or a signed, dated copy of the waiting list closure notice, and written verification that the applicant needs nursing facility level of care for HCBS waiver services.

       24.4(3) Eligibility determination. The applicant, the applicant’s legal representative, or the applicant’s case manager shall be notified of the amount of monthly rent subsidy within 25 business days of the authority’s receipt of a complete application. The notice shall be sent on or about the date when the authority determines that funding is available to approve the applicant’s rent subsidy.

      24.4(4) Waiting list. After funds appropriated for this purpose are obligated, the authority shall deny pending applications.

        a.           A denial shall be accompanied by a notice of decision, which will be sent within 25 business days of the authority’s receipt of a complete application. The notice shall state that 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 shall be placed on a statewide waiting list according to the order in which the completed applications and verification were received by the authority. In the event that more than one application is received on the same day, the person shall be entered on the waiting list on the basis of the day of the month of the person’s birthday, with 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.

        c.           When funding allows additional persons to be added to the rent subsidy program, their names shall be taken from the statewide waiting list, and their eligibility shall be determined at that time. If the completed application and verification of eligibility are not received by the time line specified by the authority, the person’s name shall be dropped from consideration for receipt of the rent subsidy payment.