TX HHS Form 1598. Retainer Payment Attestation

The TX HHS Form 1598, Retainer Payment Attestation, is a crucial document for program providers in the Home and Community-based Services (HCS) Program. This form helps solve the problem of ensuring that program providers are accurately reporting their retainer payment requests and complying with program requirements.

This form is typically used by program providers who need to request retainer payments from Texas Health and Human Services (HHS). The required information includes the program provider's legal name, contract number, and time period for which the retainer payment is requested. The form also outlines specific conditions and responsibilities, such as ensuring that staff members are not laid off due to lack of work or poor performance, and that wages and benefits remain at pre-pandemic levels.

The Retainer Payment Attestation requires program providers to make several attestations, including that they have not received funding from other sources for the services being requested. The form also includes a provision for HHSC to recoup retainer payments if it determines that an attestation is inaccurate or that the program provider did not comply with program requirements. Key points and requirements include:

• The time period for which the retainer payment is requested
• The requirement to ensure staff members are not laid off due to lack of work or poor performance
• The need to maintain wages and benefits at pre-pandemic levels
• The prohibition on receiving funding from other sources for the services being requested
• The potential for HHSC to recoup retainer payments if an attestation is found to be inaccurate or if program requirements are not met