The caseworker determines whether the child is eligible for emergency assistance if both of the following apply:

• The case is in a traditional investigation or an alternative response stage.
• The risk level is High or Very High.

To determine eligibility for emergency assistance, the caseworker assesses the following information and documents it in IMPACT:

• Total annual gross income of the household of concern. See Emergency Assistance Eligibility Resource Guide.
• Risk level in the case.
• Who the child lived with (such as a parents or relatives) when DFPS determined that the risk level was High or Very High, or who the child lived with during the previous six-month period.
• Whether the caseworker has information suggesting that a caregiver’s refusal to accept employment or training for employment directly caused the risk of abuse or neglect.

If DFPS plans to stage progress from the Alternative Response stage to a traditional investigation, the caseworker documents whether the child is eligible for emergency assistance only in the Investigation stage.

See the Emergency Assistance Eligibility Resource Guide for templates and procedures.

When the caseworker is unable to obtain information about income because the parent or legal guardian is unavailable or refuses to provide it, the caseworker does the following in IMPACT:

• Documents the refusal or unavailability.
• Selects family refuses to disclose from the drop-down menu in the EA Eligibility Application/Determination section of the Investigation Conclusion page.

If DFPS Has Removed a Child

If during the investigation DFPS removes a child from the home, the caseworker must use the EA eligibility income information they’ve gathered to complete the Foster Care Assistance Application (FCAA), so there are no discrepancies.   

If the EA eligibility income information has not been gathered at time the removal, the caseworker must gather the information immediately and complete both the EA eligibility template and the Foster Care Assistance Application (FCAA).

Supervisor Approval

The supervisor must confirm the EA template is documented in IMPACT and the income information is accurate before closing the stage.