Weekly AHF Update
Weekly Announcements
The queue is currently at these dates
Marketplace – 2/7
Direct Pay – 2/4
Reimbursements – 2/3 (This is where they were hit hardest when funds dropped so still working through that big drop of requests)
** Note, anything not reviewed that was submitted before these dates is likely in further review for one of many reasons. But as a WHOLE this is where the queue is at in processing.
Now, let’s shake shit up.
SOOOOOO – There is a LOT of confusion on the difference between an invoice and a receipt.
You need an INVOICE for direct pay. An invoice shows what you are wanting to place an order for and shows a BALANCE that you are requesting be paid directly by classwallet once approved.
A RECEIPT is used for purposes of reimbursement. A receipt MUST show the payment method, payment date and reflect the payment showing a $0 balance at the end of the receipt.
This link I created to help vendors distinguish shows visual differences between the two.
If you have a receipt that you need reimbursed that does NOT meet these criteria you must include a screenshot of the payment. You can screenshot your bank account or CC statement to do this. As long as the total and name of charge reflects a matching total this is enough to show proof of the payment being made in full.
If you are using a vendor that you choose to pay and be reimbursed versus use direct pay and they issue you a receipt that is in fact an INVOICE please send them this link so that they can see how to correct it for you. If you ever lose the link just go to the Homeschool Freedom website and click on vendor help in the top navigation. There is a button that links to invoices and receipts and it will always be there.
OK now that we have that turd scooped, basic reminders…
Remember you can check the Homeschool Freedom website to look at more information on many vendors. FAQ and resource pages have a lot of information.
www.ArkansasHomeschoolFreedom.com
The homepage also of the website (above) has a video at the bottom that walks you step by step through direct pay purchases how to cancel a request AND a marketplace order. And a video that gives a good look at HOW to use all of the options for searching vendors.
The vendor ads on the page are a great way to get a lot more information if you need to compare classes and look for specific types of items.
ProductType — Arkansas Homeschool Freedom
Miss Toni’s search is also extremely helpful when looking for local vendors for extracurricular and tutoring services. This is linked on the website, but the direct link is
Outbridge has done a wonderful job providing a search that you can also utilize to find vendors. If you are not signed up for the emails from Outbridge and wish to get those as well the signup link is HERE
School Finder | Arkansas School Finder
When uploading direct pay invoices and searching for the vendors you will need to be exact. It’s easy to get frustrated and think that you will never find it, but if say you type Snazzy Snail not THE snazzy snail or any other vendor with the in the name or A … The search in classwallet is set up to only find exact match.
Is it ridiculous?
Well of course it is that search is the most archaic mess I have witnessed in the past decade. They literally could change the code to search all instead of search exact… My 4th grader could fix that BS but I regress. Like why do they not make it search all AND add a simple section for us vendors on our end to add key words that are also searched?? Because that would be full of logic right?
Not gonna lie I absolutely plan to keep buggin classwallet and push them to get a coding team that’s not from the dinosaur era so that eventually direct pay is actually searchable. But I have not yet made any progress on that.
What I did is make a LOVELY little video that will help for those struggling to figure out HOW to utilize the various search options available to locate vendors. I will link it again here.
HOW TO USE THE PREAPPROVAL SYSTEM
Follow this link to the pre-approval form: EFA Expense Preapproval Request.
Fill out the form but keep your info complete but brief. More bullet point style not a whole damn conversation. If you have 5 points make them but leave out the fluff. 😊
Provide any links to curriculum or the item itself that are relevant.
You will receive an email that is either approval, denial or a request for more information.
If you receive preapproval, please put the normal information you always do. Preapproval does NOT mean they don’t still need your receipt and your other documentation. They do still need all of that uploaded into classwallet so that its in the system WITH the approved order once processed. But add your preapproval email in there as well.
NOTE: All purchases will still be approved based on reasonable need and price criteria. Splitting between children does not automatically mean that you can spend double or triple for the item. A bookshelf that’s twice as much because it HOLDS twice as much can be justified at a higher cost when split between students and may be approved. A bookcase that is more costly because it’s more decorative or made from a higher end wood type or style but that does not actually provide more storage for the increased cost would NOT be reasonable.
PLEASE DO NOT use a screenshot to place direct pay order unless the vendor tells you to, their website states to do so, or their ad on the website states to use this process.
If your invoice for a reimbursement does not show clearly the payment method, you will need to include proof of payment with your submission. They simply must have verification of the payment to be able to reimburse.
THANK YOU for the reviews that are coming in! Please keep them coming.
If you send a simple text only review I created a little spot on the bottom of the review page.
Blog 2 — Arkansas Homeschool Freedom
Here is the form dudes keep using it. I don’t even sleep so I can make it work.
BLOGS — Arkansas Homeschool Freedom
I am always available via PM if you need an answer to something and are still confused after checking here and the websites.
I do NOT work for the ADE and do NOT know all answers. But I know a lot of them… and I DO know who can help you when I cannot and can forward you to the appropriate person.
Ok now the I do not sleep is not actually some fun joke. I really am up working on this crap at 1-2-3 am often. So, if you have emailed or messaged you may get a 3 am response. Tough titty dudes – we get what we get, and we don’t throw a fit.
Nobody has complained yet, so thank you for that.
With 10 little trolls it is sometimes not possible to address a message properly during their waking hours. Also, once a week I drink after I burry them under their covers…I only get my one night to decompress… It is usually late Thursday night. Not always but that’s typically a good bet. So, I would refrain from expecting a coherent fully thought-out response after 10 pm on Thursdays. I mean I will respond most likely but if you can decipher my spelling then good on you. I would suggest waiting til Friday morning though.
Ann Snelson
501-412-5107
ArkansasHomeschoolFreedom@gmail.com
Helpful Links from the ADE and Outbridge
Mileage Reimbursement Form (Please make a copy before editing)
Testing Information (everything you need to know about testing!)