2.2 Eligible Children and Families

At eligibility determination or redetermination, children must (1) be younger than age 13; (2) reside with a family whose income does not exceed 85 percent of the State's median income (SMI) for a family of the same size and whose family assets do not exceed $1,000,000; and (3)(a) reside with a parent or parents who are working or attending a job training or educational program (which can include job search) or (b) receive, or need to receive, protective services as defined by the Lead Agency. 2.2.1 Eligibility criteria: age of children served Lead Agencies may provide child care assistance for children less than 13 years of age, including continuing to provide assistance to children if they turn 13 during the eligibility period. In addition, Lead Agencies can choose to serve children up to age 19 if those children are unable to care for themselves. a. Does your Lead Agency serve the full federally allowable age range of children through age 12? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe the age range of children served and the reason why you made that decision to serve less than the full range of allowable children. Note: Do not include children incapable of self-care or under court supervision, who are reported below in 2.2.1b and 2.2.1c. b. Does the Lead Agency extend eligibility for CCDF-funded child care to children ages 13 and older but below age 19 who are physically and/or mentally incapable of self-care? [ ] No. [x] Yes. i. If yes, the upper age is (may not equal or exceed age 19): 18.00 ii. If yes, provide the Lead Agency definition of physical and/or mental incapacity: A child who has a physical or mental condition which substantially limits one or more major life activities, who has a record of such an impairment, or who is regarded as having such an impairment, or and has been diagnosed by a licensed medical or psychological practitioner. c. Does the Lead Agency extend eligibility for CCDF-funded child care to children ages 13 and older but below age 19 who are under court supervision? [ ] No. [x] Yes. If yes, and the upper age is (may not equal or exceed age 19): 18.00 d. How does the Lead Agency define the following eligibility terms? i. “residing with”: Living with or in a household with a parent, custodian, or legal guardian or other individual standing in loco parentis. ii. “in loco parentis”: A person having physical custody of the child. The person has assumed guardianship and responsibility for the child. Child care can be provided for this person to enable employment, training, or education; however, the income of that person (regardless of relationship to the child) shall be counted in determining eligibility and setting fees for service 2.2.2 Eligibility criteria: reason for care Lead Agencies have broad flexibility on the work, training, and educational activities required to qualify for child care assistance. Lead Agencies do not have to set a minimum number of hours for families to qualify for work, training, or educational activities, and there is no requirement to limit authorized child care services strictly based on the work, training, or educational schedule/hours of the parent(s). For example, the Lead Agency can include travel or study time in calculating the amount of needed services. How does the Lead Agency define the following terms for the purposes of determining CCDF eligibility? a. Identify which of the following activities are included in your definition of “working” by checking the boxes below: i. [x] An activity for which a wage or salary is paid. ii. [x] Being self-employed. iii. [ ] During a time of emergency or disaster, partnering in essential services. iv. [ ] Participating in unpaid activities like student teaching, internships, or practicums. v. [ ] Time for meals or breaks. vi. [x] Time for travel. vii. [x] Seeking employment or job search. viii. [ ] Other. Describe: b. Identify which of the following activities are included in your definition of “attending job training” by checking the boxes below: i. [x] Vocational/technical job skills training. ii. [x] Apprenticeship or internship program or other on-the-job training. iii. [x] English as a Second Language training. iv. [x] Adult Basic Education preparation. v. [x] Participation in employment service activities. vi. [ ] Time for meals and breaks. vii. [x] Time for travel. viii. [x] Hours required for associated activities such as study groups, lab experiences. ix. [x] Time for outside class study or completion of homework. x. [x] Other. Describe: Substance Rehabilitation Programs c. Identify which of the following diplomas, certificates, degrees, or activities are included in your definition of “attending an educational program” by checking the boxes below: i. [x] Adult High School Diploma or GED. ii. [x] Certificate programs (12-18 credit hours). iii. [x] One-year diploma (36 credit hours). iv. [x] Two-year degree. v. [x] Four-year degree. vi. [ ] Travel to and from classrooms, labs, or study groups. vii. [x] Study time. viii. [x] Hours required for associated activities such as study groups, lab experiences. ix. [x] Time for outside class study or completion of homework. x. [ ] Applicable meal and break times. xi. [ ] Other. Describe: d. Does the Lead Agency impose a Lead Agency-defined minimum number of hours of activity for eligibility? [ ] No. [x] Yes. If yes, describe any Lead Agency-imposed minimum requirement for the following: [x] Work. Describe: Actively engaged in employment with hour requirements that ranges from twenty (20) hours or income ineligible for Transitional Employment Assistance (TEA) ($513 per month) up to thirty (30) hours or more. [x] Job training. Describe: Fulltime enrollment as defined by the institution. [x] Education. Describe: Fulltime enrollment as defined by the institution. [x] Combination of allowable activities. Describe: All adults in a Low-Income eligibility group must be enrolled and attending an educational institution full- time or may combine employment, education, or job skills training program to equal thirty (30) or more hours per week. At least one adult in an Extended Support Services (ESS) eligibility group must be enrolled and attending an educational institution full-time or may combine employment, education, or job skills training program to equal twenty (20) or twenty-five (25) or more hours per week depending on the ESS year of service. [ ] Other. Describe: e. Does the Lead Agency allow parents to qualify for CCDF assistance based on education and training without additional work requirements? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe the additional work requirements: f. Does the Lead Agency extend eligibility to specific populations of children otherwise not eligible by including them in its definition of “children who receive or need to receive protective services?” Note: A Lead Agency may elect to provide CCDF-funded child care to children in foster care when foster care parents are not working or are not in education/training activities, but this provision should be included in the Lead Agency’s protective services definition. [ ] No. If no, skip to question 2.2.3. [x] Yes. If yes, answer the questions below: Provide the Lead Agency’s definition of “protective services” by checking below the sub-populations of children that are included: [x] Children in foster care. [x] Children in kinship care. [x] Children who are in families under court supervision. [x] Children who are in families receiving supports or otherwise engaged with a child welfare agency. [x] Children participating in a Lead Agency’s Early Head Start - Child Care Partnerships program. [x] Children whose family members are deemed essential workers under a governor-declared state of emergency. [x] Children experiencing homelessness. [x] Children whose family has been affected by a natural disaster. [x] Other. Describe: All earned and unearned income will be excluded on a case- by-case basis for the following: Child Care Workers (must be actively employed an Arkansas Licensed, Registered Child Care provider that actively participates as a CCDF Program Participant), Adoptive Children (who have transitioned from Arkansas Foster Care), Guardian/Custodian (who has assumed physical custody of child(ren)), families approved for the Arkansas Better Chance Program (ABC) or ABC Infant Toddler Subsidy (ABC-ITS), and families approved for Federal Pre-K. g. Does the Lead Agency waive the income eligibility requirements for cases in which children receive, or need to receive, protective services on a case-by-case basis? [ ] No. [x] Yes. h. Does the Lead Agency waive the eligible activity (e.g., work, job training, education, etc.) requirements for cases in which children receive, or need to receive, protective services on a case-by-case basis? [ ] No. [x] Yes. i. Does the Lead Agency use CCDF funds to provide respite care to custodial parents of children in protective services? [x] No. [ ] Yes. 2.2.3 Eligibility criteria: deciding entity on family income limits How are income eligibility limits established? [x] There is a statewide limit with no local variation. [ ] There is a statewide limit with local variation. Provide the number of income eligibility tables and describe who sets the limits: [ ] Eligibility limits are established locally only. Provide the number of income eligibility tables and describe who sets the limits: [ ] Other. Describe: 2.2.4 Initial eligibility: income limits a. Complete the appropriate table to describe family income limits. i. Complete the table below to provide the statewide maximum income eligibility percent and dollar limit or threshold: Family Size 100% of SMI ($/Month) Maximum Initial Eligibility Limit (or Threshold) % Maximum Initial Eligibility Limit (or Threshold) $ 1 3912.14 85.00 3325.30 2 5115.88 85.00 4348.48 3 6319.61 85.00 5371.65 4 7523.34 85.00 6394.82 5 8727.08 85.00 7418.00 ii. Does the Lead Agency certify that they use other funds if the income eligibility limit percent exceeds 85% SMI? [x] Not applicable. The Lead Agency does not allow income eligibility limits above 85% SMI. [ ] Yes, the Lead Agency certifies that they use other funds (non-CCDF funds) for families with income that exceeds 85% SMI. [ ] No. The Lead Agency establishes income eligibility limits above SMI and includes CCDF funds to pay for families with income that exceeds 85% SMI. If checked, describe: b. Complete the table below if the Lead Agency has local variation in the maximum income eligibility limit. Complete the table for the region/locality with the highest eligibility limit, region/locality with the lowest eligibility limit, and the region/locality that is most populous: i. Region/locality with the highest eligibility limit: Family Size 100% of SMI ($/Month) Maximum Initial Eligibility Limit (or Threshold) % Maximum Initial Eligibility Limit (or Threshold) $ 1 2 3 4 5 ii. Region/locality with the lowest eligibility limit: Family Size 100% of SMI ($/Month) Maximum Initial Eligibility Limit (or Threshold) % Maximum Initial Eligibility Limit (or Threshold) $ 1 2 3 4 5 iii. Region/locality that is most populous: Family Size 100% of SMI ($/Month) Maximum Initial Eligibility Limit (or Threshold) % Maximum Initial Eligibility Limit (or Threshold) $ 1 2 3 4 5 iv. Does the Lead Agency certify that they use other funds if the income eligibility limit percent exceeds 85% SMI? [ ] Not applicable. The Lead Agency does not allow income eligibility limits above 85% SMI. [ ] Yes, the Lead Agency certifies that they use other funds (not CCDF funds) for families with income that exceeds 85% SMI. [ ] No. The Lead Agency establishes income eligibility limits above 85% SMI and includes CCDF funds to pay for families with income that exceeds 85% SMI. If checked, describe: c. How does the Lead Agency define “income” for the purposes of eligibility at the point of initial determination? Check all that apply: i. [x] Gross wages or salary. ii. [x] Disability or unemployment compensation. iii. [x] Workers’ compensation. iv. [ ] Spousal support, child support. v. [x] Survivor and retirement benefits. vi. [x] Rent for room within the family’s residence. vii. [x] Pensions or annuities. viii. [ ] Inheritance. ix. [ ] Public assistance. x. [x] Other. Describe: Spousal Support is counted if received for three (3) months. Child Support is excluded income. d. What is the effective date for these income eligibility limits? October 1, 2025 e. Income limits must be established and reported in terms of current SMI based on the most recent data published by the Bureau of the Census, even if the federal poverty level is used in implementing the program. What federal data does the Lead Agency use when reporting the income eligibility limits? [x] LIHEAP. If checked, provide the publication year of the LIHEAP guideline estimates used by the Lead Agency: 2025 [ ] Other. Describe: f. Provide the direct URL/website link, if available, for the income eligibility limits. https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Files/AR_SMI_Monthly_Income_Chart_20250916_OEC.pdf 2.2.5 Income eligibility: irregular fluctuations in earnings Lead Agencies must take into account irregular fluctuations in earnings in initial eligibility determination and redetermination processes. The Lead Agency must ensure that temporary increases in income, including temporary increases that can result in a monthly income exceeding 85 percent of SMI from seasonal employment or other temporary work schedules, do not affect eligibility or family co-payments. Check the processes that the Lead Agency uses to take into account irregular fluctuations in earnings. i. [x] Average the family’s earnings over a period of time (e.g., 12 months). Identify the period of time To calculate fluctuating income, verification of income shall reflect up to forty-five (45) days. ii. [x] Request earning statements that are most representative of the family’s monthly income. iii. [x] Deduct temporary or irregular increases in wages from the family’s standard income level. iv. [ ] Other. Describe the other ways the Lead Agency takes into account irregular fluctuations in earnings: 2.2.6 Family asset limit a. When calculating income eligibility, does the Lead Agency ensure each eligible family does not have assets that exceed $1,000,000? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe: b. Does the Lead Agency waive the asset limit on a case-by-case basis for families defined as receiving, or in need of, protective services? [x] No. [ ] Yes. If yes, describe the policy or procedure: 2.2.7 Additional eligibility criteria Aside from the eligibility conditions or rules which have been described in 2.2.1 – 2.2.6, is any additional eligibility criteria applied during: a. [x] Eligibility determination? If checked, describe: ARKANSAS EARLY HEAD START ￿ CHILD CARE PARTNERSHIP (EHS-CCP) If both parents/ custodians are employed and live in the same household, there are no set number of required work hours. Eligibility is not redetermined and is good through the family's duration in the program. FEDERAL PRE-K Only one parent/custodian is required to meet CCDF eligibility. Eligibility is not redetermined and is good through the family's duration in the program. ARKANSAS BETTER CHANCE (ABC) INFANT TODDLER SUBSIDY (ABC-ITS) Child must be actively enrolled in a Federal Pre-K or ABC/ABCSS program, during the program year. If both parents/ custodians are employed and live in the same household, there are no set number of required work hours. CCDF PROGRAM PARTICIPANT EMPLOYEES At least one adult is actively employed and working in an Arkansas licensed, registered child care facility that participates in the Child Care Assistance Program. Employment must be verified. Eligibility may consist of a combination of work at an Arkansas licensed or registered CCDF Program Participant and other outside employment/education/job skills training to equal thirty (30) hours or more per week. Income guidelines are waived on a case by case bases; however, income must be verified. CCDF CONTRACTS There are no set number of required work hours. b. [x] Eligibility redetermination? If checked, describe: At the point of redetermination, parents are required to select from a list of virtual training focusing on parenting skills and engagement. Training are less than 30 minutes in length. At least one (1) adult must complete the required parent training per eligibility period. Once course is completed, proof of training is emailed to OEC inbox for submission. 2.2.8 Documentation of eligibility determination Lead Agencies must document and verify that children receiving CCDF funds meet eligibility criteria at the time of eligibility determination and redetermination. Check the information that the Lead Agency documents and verifies at initial determination and redetermination and describe what information is required and how often. Required at Initial Determination Required at Redetermination Description [x] [ ] Applicant identity. Describe how you verify: Photo ID - driver’s license, state issued ID, military ID, federal ID, school ID, or passport for applicant (all adults in the eligibility unit) Required at Initial Determination Required at Redetermination Description [x] [ ] Applicant’s relationship to the child. Describe how you verify: A person having physical custody of the child. The person is standing in the role of the parent of a minor, without having gone through a formal process and has responsibility for the child. This information is declared at the time of eligibility determination. [x] [ ] Child’s information for determining eligibility (e.g., identity, age, citizen/immigration status). Describe how you verify: Birth certificate, shared State data systems, and other official documents [x] [x] Work. Describe how you verify: Consecutive check stubs for the last thirty (30) days. Verification of Employment (VOE), DCO-97 Verification of Earnings form, Contract Agreement, Letter from employer, Last year’s 1040 Income tax return with applicable Schedule form (profits or loss from business), and 575 Self-Employment Declaration form (can only be used if self-employed for less than one (1) year) [x] [x] Job training or educational program. Describe how you verify: Verification of enrollment or written statement from advisor or institution on official letterhead. [x] [x] Family income. Describe how you verify: Consecutive check stubs for the last thirty (30) days, Verification of Employment (VOE), DCO-97 Verification of Earnings form, Contract Agreement, Letter from employer, Last year's 1040 Income Tax Return with applicable Schedule form (profits or loss from business), and 575 Self-Employment Declaration form (can only be used if self-employed for less than one (1) year). Verification of unearned family income may include but is not limited to: written statement, award letter, or court order. This information is required at eligibility determination and redetermination. [x] [ ] Household composition. Describe how you verify: A picture ID must be submitted for all adults in the eligibility group. Children are verified using Birth certificate, shared State data systems, and other official documents. This information is required at eligibility determination. Required at Initial Determination Required at Redetermination Description [x] [ ] Applicant residence. Describe how you verify: State residence is verified using the following, to include but not limited to: ID, household bill, mail, check stubs, rent receipt, apartment lease/contract, mortgage contract, notarized statement, and state systems. This information is required at eligibility determination. [ ] [ ] Other. Describe how you verify: NA 2.2.9 Exception to TANF work requirements Lead Agencies must ensure that families with young children participating in TANF will be informed of their right not to be sanctioned under the TANF work requirement if the custodial parent has a demonstrated inability to obtain child care for a child under age six, in accordance with Section 407(e)(2) of the Social Security Act. a. Identify the TANF agency that established these criteria or definitions: Department of Human Services b. Provide the following definitions established by the TANF agency: i. “Appropriate child care”: Child care that meets the minimum health and safety standards and guidelines established by OEC Licensing Rules and Regulations. All care must be provided in a center or licensed or registered child care. ii. “Reasonable distance”: It is solely the parents' choice to select any CCDF provider. However, OEC may pay for up to (2) two hours of care for the parent's travel time. Additional travel time may be approved if supporting documentation is submitted. iii. “Unsuitability of informal child care”: Care which does not meet the developmental needs of the child or care that has been determined not to be in the best interest of the child or parent. iv. “Affordable child care arrangements”: Care provided at no charge to the family for the first year after the family's TANF case closes due to employment assures affordable care. The sliding fee scale is applied after the first year c. How are parents who receive TANF benefits informed about the exception to the individual penalties associated with the TANF work requirements? i. [x] In writing ii. [x] Verbally iii. [ ] Other. Describe: