Young Adult Support Payments

(1) The Department may make young adult support payments when the young adult: (a) demonstrates responsibility and compliance with the agreements made with the Department as set forth in the voluntary placement agreement and the action plan and in monthly meetings with their Department social worker; (b) is living in a supervised independent living setting; (c) agrees to monthly visits by the Department Social Worker, or for young adults living out of state with a social worker from the state in which they are living; and (d) agrees to use the young adult support payments for housing, food and other living expenses. The Department will establish guidelines to determine the amount of the young adult support payment. Payments may be suspended or terminated if the Department determines there are significant changes in the young adult's circumstances or the young adult's ability to manage the payments. Before young adult support payments are suspended or terminated, the young adult shall be provided an opportunity to submit information to the Area Director in support of his or her request to continue payments through the Department's grievance process. (3) The Area Director must approve the initiation, suspension or termination of young adult support payments. In rare circumstances, a youth between 17 and 18 years of age may be approved by the Area Director to receive young adult support payments. (4) The Department shall notify a young adult in writing 30 days prior to termination of young adult support payments unless the Area Director determines that immediate termination is needed due to fraud or misuse of funds.