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CAPS Policy – Program Integrity No.: CAPS/00-16 Effective Date: 10/01/2016 Revised: 03/02/2026 Revision Effective: 03/02/2026

CAPS Policy Manual

Page 95 of 109 Parent – Program Integrity Noncompliance Allowable Sanctions Parent did not cooperate with an investigation.

Noncompliance occurs when CAPS administration has confirmed there have been at least two attempts to contact the parent through any available communication channels (phone, mail, and/or email). Failure to cooperate with an investigation may result in the assessment of an overpayment for the review period and closure of the child care case.

If a child care case is closed for failure to cooperate with an investigation, the parent will be disqualified from CAPS for three months, after which they may reapply. Limited exceptions to this disqualification may be granted through a waiver request for families participating in or transitioning from TANF and families with an active Child Protective Services case. Parent did not cooperate with an on-going eligibility review. Failure to cooperate with an on-going eligibility review will result in closure of the child care case for program violation.

A claim may be established for the difference between benefits received and benefits for which they were eligible. Parent did not respond to or honor the child care claim or repayment statement.

Noncompliance occurs when an initial payment is not received within 60 calendar days of the date the repayment statement was signed or when subsequent payments are more than 30 calendar days past due. Failure to respond to or honor the child care claim and repayment statement may result in closure of the child care case. If a child care case is closed for failure to respond to or honor a repayment statement, the parent will be disqualified from CAPS until the claim is paid in full, after which they may reapply. Limited exceptions to this disqualification may be requested through a waiver for families participating in or transitioning from TANF and families with an active CPS case. Parent provided false information or documents related to their eligibility determination. If falsified documents or information resulted in the authorization of benefits for which the family was not eligible, the child care case may be closed (if the family would not have been eligible), benefits will be appropriately adjusted for the remainder of the eligibility period (if applicable), and a claim will be established for the difference between benefits received and benefits for which they were eligible.

Additional sanctions may be imposed, up to and including case closure or disqualification from CAPS, as determined by CAPS administration.

16.4.4.2 Categories of parent noncompliance include client errors and program violations. A. Client errors are a result of unintentional submission or omission of documentation or information. B. Program violations are the result of intentional noncompliance with CAPS policy and may be referred for further investigation. Program violations may be considered fraud if established by a court of jurisdiction. 16.4.4.3 If sanctions result in a reduction in child care benefits, such as a case closure due to inaccurate or incomplete information provided, the reduction in benefits will go into effect no sooner than 14 calendar days after the parent has been notified. This 14-day period is referred to as the adverse action period. 16.4.4.4 As prescribed in CAPS Administrative Hearings Policy (CAPS/00-18), parents receiving subsidized child care have a right to appeal and receive a hearing regarding any actions instituted by DECAL that impact a parent’s eligibility or require a reclaim of funds. Parents must request an appeal in writing by the deadline listed on the notice or within 14