Section 388-101D-0245. Managing client funds.

(1) Before managing a client's funds the service provider must either:

(a) Obtain written consent from the client or the client's legal representative; or

(b) Become the representative payee.

(2) For any client funds managed by the service provider, the service provider must:

(a) Separately track each client's money, even when several clients reside together;

(b) Maintain a current running balance of each client account;

(c) Make deposits to the client's bank account within one week of receiving the client's money;

(d) Prevent the client's bank account from being overdrawn;

(e) Ensure that client cash funds do not exceed seventy-five dollars per client unless specified differently in the individual financial plan; and

(f) Retain receipts for each purchase over twenty-five dollars.

(3) Social Security Administration requirements for managing the client's Social Security income take precedence over these rules if:

(a) The service provider is the client's representative payee; and

(b) The Social Security Administration requirement conflicts with these rules.

(4) When the service provider manages the client's funds and receives a check made out to the client, the service provider must:

(a) Get the client's signature and designation "for deposit only"; or

(b) Get the client's "x" mark in the presence of a witness and cosign the check with the designation "for deposit only"; and

(c) Deposit the check in the client's bank account as required under subsection (2)(c) of this section.

(5) If a check for the client is made out to a payee other than the client, the service provider must ask the payee to sign the check.

(6) The service provider must not ask the client to sign a blank check.

(7) The service provider may only assist the client to make purchases by check when the client signs the check at the time of the purchase unless:

(a) Otherwise specified in the client's individual financial plan; or

(b) The service provider is the client's representative payee.

(8) The service provider must document in the client's record the name of each staff that may assist the client with financial transactions.

[WSR 16-14-058, recodified as § 388-101D-0245, filed 6/30/16, effective 8/1/16. Statutory Authority: Chapter 71A.12 RCW. WSR 08-02-022, § 388-101-3540, filed 12/21/07, effective 2/1/08.]

WSR 16-14-058, recodified as § 388-101D-0245, filed 6/30/16, effective 8/1/16. Statutory Authority: Chapter 71A.12 RCW. WSR 08-02-022, § 388-101-3540, filed 12/21/07, effective 2/1/08.