Process Offender Cost of Supervision Prepayment Discount or Waiver

Question 1

Cost of Supervision (COS)

Answer 1

offenders financial obligations from the outset of supervision, ordered by the court or sentencing authority.

may include court or sentencing authority costs, fines, restitution, and other supervision related fees. An offender must pay imposed financial obligations at the scheduled time, usually monthly, unless the court or sentencing authority discounts or waives the obligation

Question 2

Cost of Supervision Prepayment Discount (COS)

Answer 2

(a court- or sentencing authority-ordered reduction of 25% for the statutory cost of supervision financial obligation of an eligible offender).

Section 948.09, F.S., and Department policy determine an offender’s eligibility for a COS prepayment discount. To be eligible for a COS prepayment discount, an offender must:

• have more than ninety (90) days remaining in supervision
• pay any outstanding cost of supervision obligations in full
• pay all other financial obligations in full (only if specifically ordered by the court or the sentencing authority)

Question 3

Process COS Prepayment Discount

Answer 3

Process a COS prepayment discount for an eligible offender following Department guidelines.

1. Calculate the amount an offender will pay in OBIS.
2. Instruct the offender to pay the calculated amount.
3. Verify that the Department received the calculated amount from the offender.
4. Complete the prepayment discount form.
5. Submit the completed prepayment discount form to a supervisor for review and approval.
6. After receiving supervisory approval, send the prepayment discount form to the appropriate Department or support staff for processing.
7. Make the appropriate entry in OBIS.
8. Verify that OBIS applied the prepayment discount accurately and completely

Question 4

Cost of Supervision waiver (COS)

Answer 4

(a motion to the court or sentencing authority that instructs the Department to release an offender from some of his or her financial obligations). Section 948.09, F.S., and Department policy determines an offender’s eligibility for a COS waiver

Department policy provides justifications for waiving a COS for an offender into two categories—mandatory or discretionary.

Common mandatory reasons for a COS waiver can include:
• an order by the sentencing authority
• an offender receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• an offender receives Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC)
• an offender receives Veterans Disability Pension

Section 948.09(3), F.S., outlines common discretionary reasons for a COS waiver, including:
• documented employment handicap (physical, psychological, psychiatric)
• age prevents an offender from obtaining employment
• offender is a student
• support of dependents, including court- or sentencing authority-ordered child support
• diligent attempt to work, however unable to secure employment
• offender transferred out of state as provided by Interstate Compact

Question 5

Process a COS Waiver

Answer 5

Investigate an offender’s eligibility for a COS waiver by directing an offender to provide documentation in support of the waiver request. Obtain verification quarterly, semiannually, or annually. Examples of documentation may include a notice from a doctor, college transcript, Social Security award notice, or an inability to secure employment.

Upon receipt of acceptable documentation, review to determine his or her eligibility for a COS waiver based on federal, state, and Department guidelines. Use Department-approved forms to document an offender COS waiver, which may include the COS Statutory Exemption Worksheet and Court Ordered Payments System Change form.

For mandatory COS waiver processing, complete the following steps:
1. Complete the COPS Change form.
2. Submit the completed form to a supervisor for review and approval.
3. After receiving supervisory approval, forward the form to the designated Department staff for entry in OBIS.
4. Verify that the waiver entry in OBIS is accurate and complete.

For discretionary COS waiver processing:
1. Calculate the COS waiver amount.
2. Complete the COS Statutory Exemption Worksheet form, applying the calculated amount.
3. Complete the COPS Change form.
4. Submit both completed forms to a supervisor for review and approval.
5. If the waiver request is approved, forward to designated Department staff for entry in OBIS.
6. Verify that the waiver entry in OBIS is accurate and complete following Department policy

Question 6

Resolving Monetary Discrepancies

Answer 6

You are required to resolve any discrepancies or changes to an offender’s court- or sentencing authority-ordered monetary obligations. OBIS designates these discrepancies as COPS investigations. Your supervisor will assign a COPS investigation using the ITS system.

Common discrepancies or updates to an offender’s monetary obligations could include:
• returned checks
• deferred accounts
• offender refund
• undispersed payments
• monetary obligations incorrectly entered
• incorrect victim address
• changes to the amounts required (e.g. reduced court cost or waived cost of supervision)
• incorrect payee account ID

Complete all COPS investigations within 60 days of assignment, following Department policy

To resolve a COPS investigation, review supporting documentation such as the supervision order, police report, DAVID, clerk of court records, and victim restitution order to obtain updated or correct information. The Department provides a COPS manual to assist you with navigating the COPS, OBIS screens, and taking necessary actions, based on the type of offender information you receive.

Using the COPS Change form or a court-ordered input form, enter changes to an offender’s monetary obligations. Submit the completed form with supporting documentation to the supervisor for approval and signature. Follow up to ensure the system updated with the correct information