NORTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA
September 23, 2008

IM 5050

TO:		County Social Service Directors
Economic Assistance Policy Regional Representatives
Economic Assistance Policy Quality Control Reviewers

FROM:	Tove Mandigo, Director, Economic Assistance Policy

SUBJECT:	BEST Program Participant Reimbursement		 

PROGRAMS:	Food Assistance Program

EFFECTIVE:	October 1, 2008

RETENTION: 	Until Manualized

SECTIONS 
AFFECTED:	430-05-40-55-35

Participant Reimbursement 430-05-40-55-35

BEST Program mandatory and voluntary participant reimbursements will increase to a rate of $10.00 per day for transportation and other costs directly related to participation in the BEST Program effective October 1, 2008.  The maximum a participant can receive per month will be $50.00.

These reimbursements are excluded as income. Reimbursements will be made by the State Office in TECS directly to participating individuals during the month following participation.

BEST Program mandatory and voluntary participants are reimbursed as follows:
•	Flat rate of five dollars per day for transportation and other costs directly related to participation in BEST, up to a maximum of $25 per month. 
•	A maximum of $200 per dependent per month for each child under two, and $175 per month for each other dependent. 
Reimbursements are excluded as income.

Reimbursements will be made by the State Office in TECS directly to participating individuals during the month following participation. For dependent care reimbursement SFN 132 - Best Dependent Care Reimbursement must be sent to the State Office by the worker certifying the client as eligible for the dependent care reimbursement. 

If participation in a BEST component would result in dependent care expenses in excess of the dependent care reimbursement amount, the individual is deferred from participation in BEST. 
 
If you have questions, please contact your Regional Representative.