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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 47 of 109 Date Description of Change 10/01/2018 Revised language to clarify that appeal rights are afforded in certain situations; clarified that priority group is only required at initial application; established a new priority group for children in need of protective services who are not formally involved with CPS (this population was previously served under the CPS priority group); renamed the priority group for families experiencing homelessness to families who lack fixed, regular, and adequate housing; renamed the priority group for children with special needs to families of children with disabilities; renamed and simplified the priority group for families participating in or transitioning from TANF; added a 90-day grace period to submit verification documentation for families experiencing domestic violence, families who have experienced a natural disaster, and families who lack fixed, regular, and adequate housing; clarified that families experiencing domestic violence and families who have experienced a natural disaster must meet state-approved activity requirements at annual redetermination. 07/01/2019 Revised language to remove written or verbal attestations as acceptable verification of domestic violence and renamed the heading “Payment Authorization” to “90-Day Grace Period” in sections 7.6, 7.10, and 7.11 to more accurately reflect the policy guidance in those sections. 05/01/2022 Revised language to clarify if a family identifies with one of CAPS priority groups at redetermination, they may have to provide supporting documentation to support program eligibility. Added Student Parent as a priority group. Revised families experiencing domestic violence language to state when the violent crime is alleged by the family. Revised language for families experiencing domestic violence, families who have experienced a natural disaster, and families who lack fixed, regular, and adequate housing to clarify program and eligibility requirements and when an attestation statement can be accepted for certain eligibility requirements. 11/15/2023 Revised language to clarify CAPS will pay informal providers the CAPS maximum reimbursement rate and may approve a negotiated rate for children in DFCS custody and children with disabilities. Revised language to add CAPS may reimburse a negotiated rate, less the applicable CAPS family fee, for children with disabilities. 04/01/2024 Revised language to clarify reason for case closure when the 90-day grace period is granted for families experiencing domestic violence, families who have experienced a natural disaster, and families who lack fixed, regular, and adequate housing priority groups. Revised language to add the state’s Pre-K database system as acceptable verification for the families of children enrolled in Georgia’s Pre-K Program priority group. 07/01/2024 Revised language to add priority group status requirements at annual redetermination for families enrolled in Georgia’s Pre-K program priority group. Revised language to remove job search and job search related activities for families experiencing domestic violence, families who have experienced a natural disaster, and families who lack fixed, regular, and adequate housing priority groups. Revised language to add that these priority groups must meet CAPS state-approved activity requirements. Revised language to update when the program requirements have been confirmed, families may receive up to 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 for families experiencing domestic violence, families who have experienced a natural disaster, and families who lack fixed, regular, and adequate housing priority groups. Revised language to remove verbal attestation under Program Requirements for families who lack fixed, adequate housing priority group. 03/01/2025 Revised language to remove “12-month” from eligibility period for the Child Protective Services (CPS) and court-ordered supervision cases priority group. 07/01/2025 Revised language to clarify reasons for case closure when the 45-day grace period is granted for families experiencing domestic violence, families who have experienced a natural disaster, and families who lack fixed, regular, and adequate housing priority groups. Revised language to clarify Program Requirements for families experiencing domestic violence and families of children with disabilities priority groups. 10/06/2025 Revised language to remove priority group status requirements at annual redetermination for families enrolled in Georgia’s Pre-K program priority group.