<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" citation="COMAR 13A.14.07.04" title_num="13A" subtitle_num="14" chapter_num="07" heading="Applications.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The Office shall accept applications for an award only from providers.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>To apply for an award, the provider shall submit to the Office a complete application, which includes:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An application form, supplied by the Office, which is completed and signed by the applicant;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Documentation of each expense claimed for reimbursement, which shall consist of the original or a copy of a dated sales slip or other written receipt which shows the specific nature and amount of the expense; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Any other relevant information required by the Office, which may include written verification of the applicant's annual family income.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>An applicant may be determined eligible for an award if:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The application is complete;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>No enforcement action by the Office against the applicant has been in effect or initiated during the applicant's current family day care registration period; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The applicant's annual family income does not exceed 60 percent of the State median income (SMI) for the applicant's family size during the current October 1—September 30 period.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Determination of Eligibility.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Office shall determine an applicant's eligibility within 35 calendar days after a complete application is received by the Office.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The month in which the Office determines an applicant's eligibility is considered the applicant's first month of eligibility.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Determination by the Office that an applicant is eligible for an award does not guarantee that an award will be made to the applicant.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Notification.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Within 15 calendar days of determining an applicant's eligibility, the Office shall notify the applicant in writing of the outcome of that determination.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If the applicant is found eligible for an award, the notification shall state that, pursuant to Regulation .05 of this chapter:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Awards are made on the basis of assigned award priority and the availability of funding; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>If an award is not made to the applicant on the basis of the applicant's first month of eligibility, the applicant shall be reconsidered for an award during each of the next 2 months.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>If the applicant is found ineligible for an award, the Office shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Specify the reason for ineligibility; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Return to the applicant all application materials submitted by the applicant.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>