TO:	  Commissioners; TA Directors; FS Directors; Medicaid Directors; WMS Coordinators; CAP Coordinators, Services Directors, and Finance Directors

FROM:	Russell Sykes, Deputy Commissioner, Division of Employment and Transitional Supports

SUBJECT:  	Camp Fees

EFFECTIVE DATE:	Immediately

CONTACT PERSON:	Temporary Assistance Bureau (TA) at 1-800-343-8859; extension 4-9344

This GIS has two purposes:

•	First, to reiterate TA policy that an allowance for camp fees may be provided for children when funds cannot be obtained from other sources.  However, camp fees may only be paid for children in receipt of Family Assistance (FA) and federally participating Safety Net Assistance (SNA-FP).  Camp fees must not be authorized for cases where the children are recipients of temporary assistance (TA) under either the cash or non-cash components of non-federal categories of Safety Net Assistance (SNA-FNP).  These cases include households that receive SNA-FNP because they have reached their State 60-month time limit, and are no longer eligible to receive TA under Family Assistance (FA) or federally participating SNA (SNA-FP).  Camp fees also must not be authorized on behalf of children in receipt of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) who are members of FA or SNA-FP households.

•	Second, to correct a GIS issued on April 10, 2002 (GIS TA/DC010) which stated that Social Services Law (SSL) §131-a (5) (d) requires districts to provide payment for camp fees for children receiving Aid to Dependent Children (FA and SNA-FP), when funds cannot be obtained from other sources.  This is not correct.  SSL §131-a (5) (d) states that a district “may make provisions” for issuing camp fees.  Although a district is not required to issue camp fees, once a district determines to offer camp fees as an additional allowance, the authorization of camp fees must not be limited only to certain FA or SNA-FP cases.  The amount per eligible child that may be authorized is established by Office Regulations, 18 NYCRR §352.7(i) at $400 per year, in amounts not to exceed $200 per week.