Child placing agencies (CPAs) and DFPS foster homes may request retroactive payment of an initial authorized service level (ASL) when all of the following conditions are met:

• The request for retroactive initial service level is submitted for authorization to the third-party contractor within 45 days of admitting a child or youth who has never had an initial ASL determined by the third party reviewer.
• Upon admission to the CPA, the child or youth must remain in the same foster home or have been in respite care within the same CPA that is requesting the initial ASL.
• The child or youth did not reside in an emergency shelter for 30 days or more prior to placement.

If the initial request requires additional information, the service level rate may be retroactive up to 60 days from the date of submission when all the conditions are met. This gives the requester time to gather needed information.