Current through September 17, 2024
This section contains material which governs:
(A) The authorization and provision of chore
services; and
(B) The evaluation
and approval of chore service providers.
001.01
CHORE SERVICE
NEED. Chore service is not provided based on the demand of the
recipient. Any person receiving social services must have a defined need for
service in order to meet eligibility requirements. Need implies that the
provision of that services will assist the client to advance toward the
achievement of program goals.
001.02.
AVAILABLE CHORE
SERVICES. The available chore services are those which could
normally be performed by the applicant or recipient, but the applicant or
recipient is presently unable to perform as determined during the service needs
assessment process.
001.02(A)
CLEANING. Cleaning services include light
housecleaning that is required in order to maintain the individual in a safe
and sanitary environment. Cleaning includes only vacuuming, sweeping, mopping,
dusting, trash removal, cleaning and sanitizing of the kitchen and bathroom,
cleaning and clearing the refrigerator of old and spoiled foods, and cleaning
the stove and oven as appropriate. It does not include window washing,
furniture moving, cleaning closets or drawers, any exterior cleaning or
maintenance, or other non-essential tasks.
001.02(A)(i)
ESSENTIAL
TASKS. For essential tasks, the recipient shall provide necessary
supplies.
001.02(A)(ii)
EXCPETION. An exception will be considered for an
Adult Protective Services recipient whose home requires major one-time
cleaning.
001.02(B)
SSENTIAL SHOPPING. Essential shopping includes
obtaining food, clothing, housing, or personal care items a maximum of one time
per week.
001.02(C)
FOOD PREPARATION. Food preparation includes preparing
meals necessary for and related clean-up to maintain the recipient's
independence. The recipient must provide necessary meal preparation
supplies.
001.02(D)
LAUNDRY SERVICE. Laundry service includes washing,
drying, folding, and storing laundry in the individual's home, or utilizing
laundromat services on behalf of the individual. The soap and machine use fees
are provided by the recipient.
001.02(E)
PERSONAL
CARE. Personal care consists of only bathing, dressing, shaving,
and shampooing.
001.03
INDIVIDUALS SERVED. Chore services are only for those
individuals who are age 19 or older who are either:
(A) Current Supplemental Security Income or
State Supplemental recipients; or
(B) Low income aged or disabled
persons.
001.04
CONDITIONS OF PROVISION. Services are provided as
follows:
001.04(A)
LIMITS BASED
ON LIVING ARRANGEMENTS. Based upon the service needs assessment
process, essential shopping and medical escort components of the chore services
can only be authorized for individuals residing in relatives' homes, board and
room homes, adult family homes, residential care facilities, domiciliary
facilities, or centers for the developmentally disabled.
001.04(B)
SPECIAL GRANT
CIRCUMSTANCES. The laundry or shopping components of chore
services cannot be authorized if those needs are included as a Special
Requirement in the Assistance to the Aged, Blind or Disabled State Supplemental
grant.
001.04(C)
PERSONAL CARE. The personal care component of chore
services cannot be authorized if the recipient is eligible for Medicaid and is
receiving personal care through Home Health Services or Personal Assistance
Services .
001.05
LIMITS FOR ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES WITHOUT REGARD TO INCOME
RECIPIENTS. Based upon the service needs assessment, chore
services are authorized for recipients eligible without regard to income for a
maximum of 31 days in situations of abuse or neglect of an individual age 18 or
older.
001.06
MAXIMUM
RATES. The rate for chore services matches the federal minimum
wage. Periodic increases or decreases may be made to the chore services rate in
a percentage amount corresponding with legislative appropriations or budget
directives from the Nebraska Legislature which result in general Medicaid
service provider increases or decreases.
001.07
FREQUENCY.
The frequency of service is by the hour.
001.08
MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE UNITS.
The maximum allowable units is 65 hours per month or 15 hours per
week for chore services.
001.09
LIMIT EXCEPTIONS. Requests to increase the number of
maximum units provided will not be granted unless the request is related to an
active Adult Protective Services case.
001.10
HEALTH AND SAFETY
STANDARDS. Each chore service provider must:
(A) Be free of communicable disease,
physically capable of providing service, and willing to provide a physician's
verification statement, if required;
(B) Have knowledge of basic first aid skills
and of available emergency medical resources, if providing full-time or live-in
housekeeping or personal care; and
(C) Exercise reasonable caution and care in
the use and storage of the recipient's equipment, appliances, and
supplies.
001.10(A)
SKILL AND CAPABILITY STANDARDS. The provider has training or home
experience in carrying out chore services comparable to those which will be
authorized.
001.10(B)
EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES STANDARDS. The chore service provider
provides any equipment necessary to perform authorized tasks or duties, if the
recipient does not provide them. This cost may not be authorized for service
reimbursement, but is considered in setting the provider's rate. The recipient
provides household supplies.
