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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

Page 46 of 109 Description Program Requirements Eligibility Requirements college diploma (TCD), education or training through WorkSource Georgia, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree program. Enrollment in an associate or bachelor’s degree program must be at an Eligible Postsecondary Institution as defined by the Georgia Student Finance Commission. (See Appendix BB for instructions on how to confirm an institution’s eligibility.)

Adult education programs consist of: • High School Equivalency (HSE) programs that provide instruction below the postsecondary level, such as: General Equivalency Diploma (GED), HiSET Exam, and Career Plus HSE • Adult Basic Education (ABE) • Adult Secondary Education (ASE) • English as a Second Language (ESL) • Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE)

Early childhood education credential and training courses consist of: • Child Development Associate (CDA)

TCD, education or training through WorkSource Georgia, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree program have no additional activity requirement.

• Parents 21 years of age or older enrolled in high school diploma, adult education, early childhood education credential or training courses, vocational training, TCC, TCD, education or training through WorkSource Georgia, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree program must meet the 24-hour per week activity requirement. Parents with confirmed in-class instruction or online course hours may supplement enrollment in an educational program with other state-approved activities (such as employment) to meet the 24- hour requirement.

• Parents 21 years of age or older enrolled in a self-paced adult education program or high school diploma or with no confirmed in-class instruction or online course hours will be granted six credit hours, which equates to 12 hours per week to account for coursework and study time. Parents must supplement adult education and high school diploma enrollment with other state-approved activities (such as employment) to meet the 24-hour requirement.

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).

POLICY REVISION HISTORY Date Description of Change 05/30/2018 Revised section 7.8 noting that the income threshold for the families with very low income priority group is defined in Appendix A. Previously, the income threshold was defined in CAPS policy. 07/02/2018 Revised language to reflect expanded definition of children with special needs and added attestations as acceptable verification for families experiencing domestic violence or homelessness. Clarified in sections 7.11 and 7.12 that job search and job search related activities may be approved at initial eligibility and for the entire 12-month eligibility period for those priority groups. Revised language in section 7.14.1.1 noting that eligible families’ gross applicable income cannot exceed 85% SMI.