Your Voice is Heard The Office of Consumer Affairs for the Department of Family and Protective Services and the Former Foster Youth Outreach Initiative

Background The Office of Consumer Affairs (OCA) represents the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) provides the community with an outlet to voice suggestions, concerns and feedback about their experience working with DFPS on case specific issues. We recognized that among other stakeholders, the Former Foster Youth community represented a small percentage of inquiries received in our office. Thus OCA began outreach initiatives to increase awareness of services available to them and their right to self advocate. At the conclusion of this session participants will be knowledgeable on Former Foster Youth resources and opportunities to address their questions and concerns; in the hope of continuing our efforts in cultivating a partnership with the Former Foster Youth community. 

History of OCA The Office of Consumer Affairs (OCA), formerly called the Ombudsman Office, was created in 1993 in response to legislative mandates created by the 72nd (Regular) Texas Legislative session, in 1991.  The provisions of the bill mandated the department to establish a system to receive, respond to, and catalogue complaints.  The bill further required the agency to notify the public, consumers, service recipients and elected officials of the availability of the office and the right to make a complaint against the Department.

What we do… OCA is an agency separate from each DFPS program; our staffs are able to handle complaints in a neutral manner. Receive calls regarding complaints, questions, call back requests, staff conduct issues, and general issues not related to specific cases and DFPS programs. Handle complaints regarding case specific policy issues for all DFPS programs. Handle inquiries from the Governor's Office and other Legislative Offices. Complete OCA Reviews as part of the appeal process for CPS. Complete Executive Assignments as requested by State Office, the Governor's Office, and other Legislative Offices.

Referrals to Other Entities Complaints relating to DFPS employee misconduct involving potentially serious violations of law, issues involving fraud, theft over $500, substantial abuse of state property or resources, retaliation against employees under the Whistleblower Act, or inappropriate relationships between an employee and a former or current DFPS adult consumer will be referred to the HHSC Office of Inspector General. Complaints relating to civil rights issues are forwarded to the HHSC Office of Civil Rights for review and handling. Staff Conduct Issues are referred to DFPS Programs Reports of Abuse/Neglect are referred to State Wide Intake

How we take complaints Our office includes a call center function; calls are taken Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. 1-800-720-7777 OCA Mailbox oca@dfps.state.tx.us On-line: individuals can make a complaint online at our website, which is forwarded to the OCA mailbox. https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Contact_Us/Questions_and_Complaints/complaints.asp Regular mail P.O. Box 149030, Mail Code Y946, Austin, TX 78714-9030 Fax (512) 339-5892

Former Foster Youth Outreach This project began through our foster youth outreach which started in 2012. With the creation of the HHSC Foster Care Ombudsman from the 84th legislative session we have began focusing on Former Foster Youth and Foster youth that are 18 years or older.   FY 2016 14 complaints FY 2015 12 complaint FY 2017 14 complaints

Common Issues Tuition Fee Waiver Medicaid Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) -Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Wanting to acquire documents -Case records -Social Security Card -Birth Certificate Return to care questions Contact with Siblings

10311 College Tuition and Fee Waiver Information CPS May 2011 Each state-supported educational institution is responsible for applying the College Tuition and Fee Waiver exemption, and each institution has its own appeals processes that the student must follow if a college tuition or fee waiver exemption is denied. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating BoardExternal Link ensures that each Texas state-supported educational institution is in compliance with the college tuition and fee waiver exemption requirements. Fees that are required for educational purposes are covered with this waiver but items such as parking or other optional fees are not covered by the waiver. The tuition waiver is not included as income in the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and is not reported on the Free Application For Federal Student AidExternal Link (FAFSA). Both the college tuition and fee waiver and Education and Training Voucher (ETV) funds are used to determine need for the cost of attendance at state-supported higher education institutions.

10312 College Tuition and Fee Waiver Eligibility CPS August 2016 Certain youth are eligible to have college tuition and fees waived at Texas state-supported colleges or universities, public medical schools, public dental schools, public junior colleges, and public technical institutes (as defined by Texas Education Code §§61.003External Link, 54.001External Link, and 54.002External Link). This refers to a child or youth who:   •  was in the conservatorship of DFPS the day before his or her 18th birthday;   •  was in the conservatorship of DFPS on the day he or she graduated from high school or received his or her GED;   •  is in conservatorship of DFPS and in high school, and who takes a dual credit course or other course for which a high school student may earn joint high school and college credit;   •  was in the conservatorship of DFPS on or after his or her 14th birthday, if he or she was also eligible for adoption on or after that day;   •  was in the conservatorship of DFPS the day before he or she was adopted, if the adoption occurred on or after September 1, 2009;   •  was in the conservatorship of DFPS the day before permanent managing conservatorship (PMC) was given to an individual who is not the child’s parent, if PMC was given to the individual on or after September 1, 2009;   •  was age 14 or older on or after June 1, 2016, and who subsequently exited DFPS’s PMC to the legal responsibility of a parent (a parent means a biological parent, an adoptive parent, or a parent whose parental rights have been terminated);   •  was age 16 or older on or after June 1, 2016, and who subsequently exited DFPS’s temporary managing conservatorship to the legal responsibility of a parent (a parent means a biological parent, an adoptive parent, or a parent whose parental rights have been terminated); or   •  has an adoption assistance agreement with DFPS that provided both monthly payments and medical assistance. 40 TAC, §700.1630External Link

10312 Continued… PAL staff or the adoption eligibility specialists inform the youth, CPS caseworkers, and child placement providers of applicable laws. When appropriate, PAL staff or the adoption eligibility specialists also ensure that the youth receive a completed and signed DFPS Verification of the State College Tuition and Fee Waiver (Form 1003PDF Document). See also 10313 College Tuition and Fee Exemption for Youth Who Have Been Adopted. Texas Education Code §54.366External Link Higher Education Age Enrollment Criteria For students who qualify for a waiver because of an adoption assistance agreement with DFPS, there is no age limit to receive the waiver. Any other student referenced in the list above must enroll in state-supported higher education on or before his or her 25th birthday to receive the waiver.

10151 The Former Foster Care Children (FFCC) Program CPS June 2014 The Former Foster Care Children (FFCC) program provides healthcare coverage through age 25 to young adults who: • age out of DFPS foster care; and • were receiving Medicaid when they aged out of care. Eligible young adults receive Medicaid services through one of the following FFCC healthcare programs, based on age: • Young adults ages 18 through 20 are automatically enrolled in the STAR HealthPDF DocumentExternal Link program; however, they may switch to a STARExternal Link member health plan, if they prefer. • Young adults ages 21 through 25 choose the STARExternal Link member health plan of their choice. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), commonly called the Affordable Care Act (ACA), requires states to provide Medicaid coverage to youth and young adults under age 26 who were in foster care and were receiving Medicaid when they aged out of foster care. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care ActExternal Link, Public Law 111-148, January 1, 2014 10151.1 Eligibility for the FFCC Healthcare Program To be eligible for the Former Foster Care Children (FFCC) program, a young adult must: • be age 18 through 25; • have been in DFPS foster care on his or her 18th birthday or older; • have been receiving Medicaid when he or she aged out of DFPS foster care; and • be a U.S. citizen, or be a qualified alien; for example, by having an I-551 permanent resident card. Once a qualified alien turns age 21, he or she must have had his or her legal immigration status for at least five years to qualify for the FFCC. There are no requirements related to income, assets, or education.

10153 Applying or Re-Applying for the FFCC and MTFCY Healthcare Programs CPS June 2014 A young adult may apply or reapply for either the Former Foster Care Children (FFCC) program or the Medicaid for Transitioning Foster Care Youth (MTFCY) program by: • submitting one of the following applications (whichever is appropriate, based on the criteria provided on each application): • Form H1010External Link Texas Works Application for Assistance (used to apply for SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid and CHIP) • Form H1205External Link Texas Streamlined Application (used to apply for Health Coverage only) • visiting the Your Texas BenefitsExternal Link website; • visiting the HealthCare.govExternal Link website; or • calling 2-1-1. Form H1010 and Form H1205 can be printed from the Your Texas BenefitsExternal Link website, after setting up an account. To be eligible for the FFCC or MTFCY program, the applicant must mark either of the following questions as Yes on Form H1010 or Form H1205: • Were you in foster care at age 18 or older? • Were you in an approved Unaccompanied Refugee Minor’s Resettlement program at age 18 or older? If the applicant is not eligible for the FFCC or MTFCY program, he or she is evaluated for eligibility in other Medicaid programs.

10153 Continued… 10153.1 Phone and Online Support for the FFCC and MTFCY Healthcare Programs 10153.11 The Your Texas Benefits Website CPS June 2014 A young adult may use HHSC’s Your Texas BenefitsExternal Link website to: • apply for healthcare benefits; • set up an account; • renew benefits every year; • report changes to his or her case; • check on issues related to benefits; • check when an interview with a representative is scheduled, see what items may be needed for the interview, and upload the items; • order or print a Medicaid card; or • view the Medicaid services for which a young adult is eligible.

10153 Continued… 10153.12 The 2-1-1 Texas System CPS June 2014 A young adult may call the 2-1-1 Texas phone system or visit the 2-1-1 TexasExternal Link website for help with Medicaid-related issues, such as applying for benefits, renewing benefits, or reporting changes to a case. The 2-1-1 system serves the: • Former Foster Care Children (FFCC) program; and • Medicaid for Transitioning Foster Care Youth (MTFCY) program. The 2-1-1 Texas system is used only to re-apply, update, or report changes for the FFCC and MTFCY programs. The system is not used to re-enroll in STAR Health. For a flow chart explaining how to get help by calling 2-1-1, see page 2 of DFPS’s Medicaid handout (Form 1014PDF Document). 10153.13 The HHSC Mailbox for FFCC and MTFCY Issues If a young adult is not able to resolve issues related to the FFCC and MTFCY programs through the Texas 2-1-1 phone or online system, CPS staff may send the inquiry to the HHSC CBS FFCHE/MTFCY mailbox to request assistance for the young adult. CBS_ffche-mtfcy@hhsc.state.tx.us

10314 Temporary Housing Assistance Between Academic Terms CPS February 2012 Texas’s public higher education institutions are required to assist young adults formerly in the conservatorship of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) in locating temporary housing between academic terms (such as summer and Christmas holiday breaks). Texas Education Code §51.976 Eligible Young Adults Young adults eligible for temporary housing assistance must have been in DFPS conservatorship preceding the student’s: • 18th birthday; or • date of legal emancipation. Additional Requirements: In order for the young adult to receive assistance with temporary housing from a higher education institution where he or she is enrolled, the young adult must: • be a full-time student in the semester preceding the housing need; • be registered or have started the required enrollment actions as a full-time student for the immediate next semester period following the housing accommodation; • lack other reasonable temporary housing alternatives; and • request the housing assistance.

10314 Continued… How Higher Education Institutions Can Help With Summer and Christmas Breaks • The institution assists students with making housing arrangements by providing a list of available housing resources within the community or by referring students to other resources or community partners that offer housing assistance. • If the student demonstrates a financial need, the institution may open up student housing such as dormitories, university-owned apartments or other campus housing, or provide a stipend to cover reasonable costs for temporary housing. Since the bill does not require institutions to provide these options the receipt of these benefits will vary depending on the specific institution’s practice. If a student receives a stipend for housing assistance this does not prohibit the student from receiving additional stipends in one or more subsequent academic periods. The receipt of a stipend for housing assistance will not affect a student’s ability to apply for or receive funds from the Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program to cover the cost of attendance for the future semester, or to receive other similar academic assistance. Institutions of Higher Education are defined in the Education Code §61.003External Link as public and include: • technical institutes; • junior colleges; • four year or senior colleges or universities; • medical or dental school units; and • state colleges.

10314 Continued… Where to Request Housing Assistance Campus offices vary at each institution of higher education. Examples of campus offices where students may inquire about housing assistance include, but are not limited to: • financial aid offices; • student affairs offices; • admissions offices; • housing and residential living offices; or • student ombudsperson. Young adults are also encouraged to research each college or university website to locate the appropriate campus office for housing. Transition Planning Information about higher education housing assistance, and how to inquire about housing assistance, must be shared with youth ages 16 and older as part of the development and review of the transition plan, Circles of Support, Transition Planning Meetings, and in the Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) life skills training classes. See: 10300 Services to Support Adulthood 10251 Qualifications for PAL Aftercare Room and Board

Future Plans and Goals for the Office of Consumer Affairs and Former Foster Youth Helping to facilitate bridging the gaps between the Former Foster Youth and CPS. Working with CPS Regional Administrators to identify areas in need of improvement that directly relate to Former Foster Youth. Help to facilitate successful outcomes for Former Foster Youth by ensuring our office is accessible to Former Foster Youth.

Previous Experiences with the Office of Consumer Affairs Who has prior knowledge of our office’s existence? Has anyone contacted our office in the past, who would like to share their experience with this process? What barriers or concerns do you feel are present with contacting our office. Suggestions on how to best serve Former Foster Youth.

Contact Information and Resources Office of Consumer Affairs – 1-800-720-7777 Texas Youth Connection website: https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/txyouth/ Your Texas Benefits website or app: https://www.yourtexasbenefits.com/Learn/Home DFPS Abuse Hotline – 1-800-252-5400

Questions and Comments

10130 Personal Documents Provided to Youth CPS September 2015 Youth who are turning age 16 and 18 must be provided copies and originals of personal documents to assist them in gaining employment, enrolling in school, leasing an apartment, opening a bank account, setting up utility services, getting a driver’s license and accessing other resources. See the Accessing Personal Documents for Youth Resource GuidePDF Document. P.L. 113-183, Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families ActExternal Link Texas Family Code 264.121External Link Texas Family Code 264.014External Link Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L.111-148)External Link 10132 Personal Documents Provided to Youth at Age 18 CPS September 2015 A youth who is discharged from DFPS conservatorship, is at least age 18, or is legally emancipated must receive or already be in possession of:   •  an original birth certificate or a copy;   •  a Social Security card or a replacement Social Security card;   •  a personal identification card issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety;   •  immunization records;   •  information contained in the youth’s health passport;   •  proof of Medicaid enrollment; and   •  a Medical Power of Attorney, Form 2559 AWord Document and BWord Document. Include if available:   •  a passport; or   •  citizenship records. DFPS is not required to provide these documents to youth who have been in foster care less than six months. If the youth has already been provided with a birth certificate, Social Security card, and personal identification card (originals or copies), and these are physically accessible to the youth, DFPS does not have to obtain these documents again. The youth may request that DFPS provide copies.

10152 The Medicaid for Transitioning Foster Care Youth (MTFCY) Program CPS June 2014 If a young adult who is age 18 through 20 was in DFPS foster care but is not eligible for the Former Foster Care Children (FFCC) program, he or she may be eligible to receive healthcare through the MTFCY program. See: 10151.1 Eligibility for the FFCC Healthcare Program 10152.1 Eligibility for the MTFCY Healthcare Program 10152.1 Eligibility for the MTFCY Healthcare Program CPS June 2014 To be eligible to receive healthcare services through the MTFCY program, a young adult must:   •  be age 18 through 20;   •  have been in DFPS foster care on his or her 18th birthday or older;   •  have no other health coverage;   •  meet HHSC’s rules for income; and   •  be a U.S. citizen, or be a qualified alien; for example, by having an I-551 permanent resident card. With the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA):   •  a young adult who ages out of foster care from another state’s conservatorship is no longer eligible to receive healthcare services through the MTFCY program; however, if the young adult is already receiving services through MTFCY, the young adult will continue to do so until his or her 21st birthday, or until the young adult no longer meets the eligibility requirements, whichever occurs first; and   •  an asset test is no longer applied when determining eligibility for MTFCY; however, an income test is still applied.

Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) 10210 Preparation for Adult Living Program CPS September 2015 The Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) program’s purpose is to prepare youth for adult life when they leave foster care. The program provides services, benefits, resources, and supports to help youth become healthy, productive adults. The program makes efforts to connect youth to community resources they will need in their transition to a successful adulthood. DFPS Rules, 40 TAC §§700.1601 – 700.1604External Link 10211 Targeted and Eligible Population for PAL 10211.1 Targeted Priority Population CPS September 2015 The targeted priority population that PAL must serve is:   •  youth in DFPS paid-substitute care who are age 16 or older and likely to remain in care until age 18; and   •  young adults who have aged out of DFPS conservatorship at age 18 or have left the Extended Foster Care Program. Services can be provided up to their 21st birthdays as long as they are meeting the required qualifications. 10211.2 Additional Eligible Population CPS September 2015 Depending upon funding availability, additional eligible population also includes:   •  youth age 16, who are likely to remain in DFPS conservatorship until age 18, and who are in a non-paid substitute care placement (relative or kinship placement);   •  youth as young as age 14 in DFPS conservatorship, who are likely to remain in care until age 18, for age-appropriate services;   •  youth who have been legally emancipated while in DPFS conservatorship;   •  youth age 16 and 17 in DFPS conservatorship while living with a parent or guardian, and who are likely to remain in care until age 18; and   •  youth or young adults who are undocumented, who may qualify if they meet eligibility criteria. 10212 PAL Eligibility for Youth Placed in a Title IV-E Placement by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) or a County Juvenile Probation Department (CJPD) CPS September 2015 Youth who are not in DFPS conservatorship and who are placed in a Title IV-E placement by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department or a county juvenile probation department are eligible for PAL Life Skills training if they:   •  are age 16 or older and receiving Title IV-E foster care maintenance payments (Title IV-E placement);   •  are likely to remain in a Title IV-E placement until they turn age 18 or older; and   •  meet all other eligibility requirements. See 6234.4 Another Planned Permanent Living Arrangement.

10320 Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program CPS August 2014 The federal ETV program provides financial assistance to youth and young adults in post-secondary and vocational or technical programs. Eligible youth or young adults may receive up to $5,000 per year. The ETV program is federally funded, and all federal law and policy must be followed. 42 U.S.C. §677External Link 10321 Eligibility for the ETV Program 10321.1 Students in DFPS Care or Formerly in DFPS Care Who Are Eligible for the ETV Program CPS August 2014 Students are eligible for the federal Education and Training Vouchers (ETV) program, if they meet all ETV requirements and:   •  are in foster care and are at least age 16;   •  have aged out of foster care and have not turned age 21;   •  were adopted from DFPS conservatorship after turning age 16 and have not turned age 21; or   •  entered the Permanency Care Assistance (PCA) program from DFPS conservatorship after turning age 16 and have not turned age 21. Foster care means 24-hour substitute care for children placed away from their parents or guardians and for whom a Title IV-E agency has responsibility for placement and care. 45 CFR §1355.20External Link A youth who is living with a parent (biological or adoptive) or has a parent as a legal placement is not eligible for ETV, even if parental rights are terminated. A young adult who has aged out of DFPS conservatorship while living with a parent (biological or adoptive) or had a parent as a legal placement when aging out is not eligible for ETV, even if parental rights are terminated.

10321.5 Eligibility for the ETV Program: Age 21 and Until Age 23 CPS August 2014 Federal law requires that after a student turns age 21, the following additional requirements must be met to be eligible to receive ETV funding. The student must:   •  have been participating in the ETV program on his or her 21st birthday; and   •  have been enrolled in a post-secondary education or training program on his or her 21st birthday; and   •  be making satisfactory academic progress (SAP) toward completing his or her program. (This requirement must be continually met until the student turns 23. Satisfactory academic progress is determined by the policy of the institution that the student is attending.) Participation in the ETV program means that a student has applied for and been approved for the ETV program. Satisfactory Academic Progress Once a student turns 21, the student must meet the school’s SAP policy for Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) for federal financial aid (such as Pell grants). A school’s SAP policies may include that the student:   •  maintains a certain grade point average; and   •  meets a pace/completion rate; and   •  be within a maximum amount of attempted hours as determined by the school. It is the student’s responsibility to know the school’s SAP policy. This information may be found on the school’s website or obtained from the school’s registrar’s office. If a student is not meeting his or hers school’s SAP policy, the student is not eligible for ETV; however, once the student becomes compliant with the school’s policy, the student can reapply for ETV. Although the ETV application is for the school year, before making an ETV payment each school term or semester, ETV staff may request additional supporting documents to ensure that the school considers the student to be in compliance with the school’s SAP policies and therefore eligible for Title IV-E HEA funds. If the student has been denied Title IV-E HEA funds by the school and is appealing to the school, the determination about whether the student will receive ETV funds is made after the school makes a decision on the student’s appeal. If the student’s federal financial aid is reinstated, the student can receive ETV funds, provided that the student is still meeting all other ETV participation requirements. 10321.6 Minimum Credit Hours for the ETV Program CPS August 2014 To be eligible for the ETV program, a student must take:   •  a minimum of six semester hours in college; or   •  the vocational equivalent of six hours during the school term. For those students attending college during the summer, the required six semester hours may be split between two summer sessions. If the student is enrolled in a dual-credit course or other course for the purpose of earning a joint high school diploma and college credit, the required six semester hours may be waived as long as the student is attending high school full time.

10321.7 Financial Aid Probation or Warnings for Students in the ETV Program CPS August 2014 Under Age 21 A student who is under age 21 may continue to qualify for the ETV program while on financial aid probation or after receiving a financial aid warning, if the student:   •  is still attending school; and   •  is complying with the school’s policies on financial aid probation or financial aid warnings. This allows the student to improve his or her grade-point average (GPA) while still receiving ETV services. Age 21 or Older To receive ETV funds a student who is age 21 or older must be in compliance with his or her school's satisfactory academic progress (SAP) policy for Title IV HEA federal financial aid (such as Pell grants). If it is the school’s policy to allow a student who is on financial aid probation or warning to continue to receive Title IV HEA funds, then the student may receive ETV funds; however, ETV staff may request additional documentation to ensure that the student is in compliance with the school’s policies.   10321.8 Moving to Another State to Attend School While Participating in the ETV Program CPS August 2014 A student may move to another state and still be eligible for the ETV program funded by DFPS, as long as:   •  the student was already receiving ETV funds while living in Texas; and   •  the student’s sole purpose for moving out of state is to attend school. 10324 The Application Process for the ETV Program 10324.1 Before Applying for the ETV Program CPS August 2014 Before a student applies to the ETV program, the student submits a Free Application for Federal Assistance (FAFSA)External Link to determine which federal student aid programs the student may be eligible for. Students must submit a renewal FAFSA each year that they enroll in school. Exception: Students are not required to submit a FAFSA, if they are enrolled in a dual-credit college course at an institution of higher education for which the student will earn both a high school diploma and college credit. Students may also be eligible for other state and federal grants and scholarships. See College for All TexansExternal Link.

10324.2 Submitting the ETV Application and Supporting Documents CPS August 2014 Eligible students apply for the ETV program through the website for the Texas Education and Training VoucherExternal Link(ETV) program. Students or staff may also call 1-877-268-4063 to talk to ETV staff. At a minimum, the following supporting documentation must be submitted with the application:   •  A copy of Form 1016PDF Document DFPS Verification of ETV Eligibility signed by the appropriate staff person, as explained in the form (see 10322 Staff Responsible for the ETV Program), or, when applicable, a signed copy of Form 1003PDF Document College Tuition and Fee Waiver Letter   •  A copy of a current financial aid award letter or packet (or a denial letter, if applicable), or a billing statement from a vocational training program   •  A printout of the class schedule for the current semester or academic term (fall, spring, or summer)   •  Verification from the school showing that the student is enrolled in the minimum number of required credit hours and the student’s classification 10324.3 Submitting Other Documents After Being Approved for the ETV Program CPS August 2014 Once a student is approved for the ETV program, additional documents are required, including:   •  the Consent for Release of Information form, provided by ETV staff and signed and dated by the student;   •  a Participant Agreement, provided by ETV staff and signed and dated by the student;   •  a payment form, provided by ETV staff, and supporting documents, if applicable (as explained in About the Payment Form, directly below); and   •  a current budget worksheet (as explained in About the Budget Worksheet, below). About the Payment Form A student completes a payment form provided by ETV staff to indicate whether to send the ETV funds to:   •  a specific vendor (such as a landlord, utility company, or bookstore); or   •  directly to the student. If the student directs ETV staff to send the funds to a vendor, the student must:   •  include supporting documentation with the payment form (such as a lease agreement, utility bill, or bookstore invoice); and   •  complete and sign the Consent for Release of Information for the ETV program First- and second-year students must submit with the payment form supporting documentation for expenses that are paid by sending remittance directly to a vendor. See: 10326.4 How ETV Funds Are Paid in the First and Second Years of School 10326.5 How ETV Funds Are Paid in the Third and Fourth Years of School (or at Age 21) Students are not required to submit or keep receipts for purchases. About the Budget Worksheet All students are required to submit a budget worksheet:   •  after his or her initial ETV application is approved; and   •  after submitting an updated application. A budget worksheet explains the reasonable estimated or projected basic living or school expenses that the student is allowed to incur during each school term. To be considered reasonable, the expense of an item on the budget worksheet must be closely aligned with the expense of the item as established by the school’s cost-of-attendance policy. With the budget worksheet and other required documentation, the student must submit a completed and signed ETV application (initial or updated). Failure to do so may result in:   •  a delay in or a denial of the student's participation in the ETV program; or   •  a delay in the disbursement of ETV checks to either the student or the specified vendors.