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CAPS Policy – Priority Groups No.: CAPS/00-7 Effective Date: 10/01/2016 Revised: 03/02/2026 Revision Effective: 03/02/2026

CAPS Policy Manual

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Families who have experienced a natural disaster Description Program Requirements Eligibility Requirements 45-day Grace Period Families who have experienced and been negatively impacted by a federal or state declared natural disaster within the previous 24 months are considered a priority group. The family’s county of residence must have been identified by government officials as an area included in the state or federal disaster area. Parents must: • Provide verification of residency in the designated area during the time of the declared natural disaster. Designated areas for federal and state declared natural disasters can be verified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency at www.FEMA.gov/disaster.

• Meet non-financial eligibility requirements (Georgia residency, child citizenship or qualified alien status, immunization, and identity) as prescribed in CAPS Eligibility Requirements Policy (CAPS/00-6). • Meet CAPS income guidelines as prescribed in the CAPS Income Calculations Policy (CAPS/00-8). • Meet CAPS state- approved activity requirements as prescribed in CAPS Eligibility Requirements Policy (CAPS/00-6). When the program requirements have been confirmed, families may receive an additional 45 days from the date their application is processed to provide verification documents for the child’s citizenship or qualified alien status, child’s immunization (if applicable), activity, and income. The grace period for providing these verification documents will not postpone the eligibility determination.

If verification is not immediately available for the eligibility requirements stated above, parents must verbally attest that all eligibility requirements are met. If verification of income is not immediately available, the family fee will be calculated based on the parent’s verbal attestation of income.

However, if verification documents are not received by the end of the 45-day grace period or if verification documents submitted by the parent do not meet all applicable eligibility requirements, the case will be determined ineligible for ongoing child care assistance due to a program violation.

Families who lack fixed, regular, and adequate housing Description Program Requirements Eligibility Requirements 45-day Grace Period Families who meet the McKinney-Vento definition of homelessness are considered a priority group. The McKinney- Vento Act defines homeless children as “individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.” This includes: • Families sharing housing due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason • Family must meet Georgia residency requirement. Residency can be verified with a letter from the homeowner or lease holder (does not need to be notarized), an emergency shelter, or an agency that provides homeless assistance programs in Georgia. This will also be used to verify homeless status. A written attestation from the parent that they lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime • Meet non-financial eligibility requirements (Georgia residency, child citizenship or qualified alien status, immunization, and identity) as prescribed in CAPS Eligibility Requirements Policy (CAPS/00-6). • Meet CAPS income guidelines as prescribed in the CAPS Income Calculations Policy (CAPS/00-8). When the program requirements have been confirmed, families may receive an additional 45 days from the date their application is processed to provide verification documents for the child’s citizenship or qualified alien status, child’s immunization (if applicable), activity, and income. The grace period for providing verification will not postpone the eligibility determination.