Section 441.58.56. Eligibility determination and payment.

       58.56(1) Duties of local administrative entity. The local administrative entity shall perform the following duties:

        a.           Accept the household’s application.

        b.           Certify that:

       (1)             The address provided on the application is a valid address in the disaster-affected area,

       (2)             Disaster-related expenses were a result of the covered disaster,

       (3)             The household has presented reasonable documentation or receipts for expenses incurred or has reasonable estimates for eligible costs for issuance of a voucher to secure specific eligible goods or services, and

       (4)             Funds remain available.

        c.           Determine the amount of assistance the household is eligible to receive by category of assistance and provide the rationale for that amount.

        d.           Provide the signature of local administrative entity staff making the certification and the date of certification.

        e.           Notify the applicant household of the certification decision and issue to an approved household:

       (1)             Reimbursement for documented expenses, or

       (2)             A voucher to secure specific eligible goods or services.

        f.            Retain a copy of the household’s Form 470-4689, Iowans Helping Iowans Unmet Needs Disaster Assistance Program, and all documentation.

        g.           Report weekly to the rebuild Iowa office regarding expenditures. Weekly reports shall be in the format prescribed in the agreement.

        h.           Complete a final reconciliation to substantiate expenditures.

        i.            Return any unexpended funds to the department within 30 days of the final expenditure or June 30, 2011.

       58.56(2) Local administrative expenses. A local administrative entity may allocate no more than 5 percent of the amount of assistance provided to households as an administrative expense. Administrative expenses shall be detailed on the weekly report of expenditures.

       58.56(3) Duties of disaster case management office. Designated staff in the rebuild Iowa disaster case management office shall:

        a.           Ensure that a local administrative entity is designated in each county affected.

        b.           Coordinate contact between applicants and their local administrative entity.

        c.           Support the reconsideration process.

       58.56(4) Duties of the department. Designated department staff shall:

        a.           Process grant payments to the local administrative entity or its designee.

        b.           Process appeals.

[ARC 9130B, IAB 10/6/10, effective 9/15/10; ARC 9313B, IAB 12/29/10, effective 2/2/11]