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 that has a disability or developmental delay that impacts their learning, as measured and documented by appropriate diagnostic instruments and procedures by a licensed medical specialist. The disability or delay must be in one of the following areas: physical development, cognitive development, communication development, social development, emotional development, or adaptive development as referenced in section 300.8 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Children with disabilities may include: a child who is eligible for early intervention services under part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.); a child who is eligible for services under part B, section 619, of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419); a child who is eligible for services under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794); a child with a Medicaid waiver for persons with disabilities (i.e., Katie Beckett, NOW, or COMP); and a child receiving Supplemental Security Income for blindness or a disability. 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”: The Lead Agency defines residing with as all children included in the family unit. CAPS Policy Manual 5.3 defines a family unit as a parent with legal, biological, or day-to-day responsibility for children in the home and all those for whom the parent is responsible. This policy also notes that multiple family units may reside in the same house. CAPS Policy Manual 5.4 states that the following individuals living in the household shall be included in the family unit: Biological, adopted, or step-children under the age of 18; children under legal or physical guardianship of the parent; spouse/parent residing in the home; unmarried adults living together with a mutual biological or legal child residing in the same household; spouse of the parent temporarily absent from the household due to employment, military deployment, training, or education. ii. “in loco parentis”: CAPS Policy Manual 2.1 defines in loco parentis as a person living with the child needing CAPS services who is one of the following: a non- custodial parent; another related person who acts as a caretaker (responsible for the care) of the child; a legal guardian; an unrelated adult who is at least age 21 and whose petition for legal guardianship of the child is pending; an unrelated adult with whom DFCS has placed a child subsequent to a court order identifying DFCS as responsible for the child’s care and supervision. 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. [x] 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. [ ] 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: Each credit hour (or hour of online or in-person coursework) equates to two hours of state-approved activity to account for study time. 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. [ ] 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. [x] Other. Describe: Each credit hour (or hour of online or in-person coursework) equates to two hours of state-approved activity to account for study time. 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: Most parents must be working for an average of at least 24 hours per week. [x] Job training. Describe: Parents 21 years of age or older must participate in job training at least 24 hours per week. Each credit hour (or hour of online or in- person coursework) for vocational training equates to two hours of state- approved activity to account for study time. Parents 20 years of age or younger participating in vocational training have no additional activity requirement. [x] Education. Describe: Parents 21 years of age or older must participate in education activities at least 24 hours per week. Each credit hour (or hour of online or in-person coursework) for adult education (with confirmed course hours), vocational training, early childhood education credential or training courses, technical certificate of credit (TCC), technical college diploma (TCD), education or training through WorkSource Georgia, associate degree programs, and bachelor’s degree programs equates to two hours of state-approved activity to account for study time. Parents 20 years of age or younger participating in middle or high school, 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 have no additional activity requirement. [x] Combination of allowable activities. Describe: Parents aged 21 or older must participate in state approved activities for an average of at least 24 hours per week. The 24-hour per week requirement may be met by employment, education, or a combination of employment and education. Each credit hour (or hour of online or in-person coursework) for adult education (with confirmed course hours), vocational training, early childhood education credential or training courses, technical certificate of credit (TCC), technical college diploma (TCD), education or training through WorkSource Georgia, associate degree programs, and bachelor’s degree programs equates to two hours of state-approved activity to account for study time. Education is participation in middle or high school, adult education programs (High School Equivalency [HSE] courses which includes HiSET testing, General Equivalency Diploma [GED], and Career Plus HSE, Adult Basic Education [ABE], Adult Secondary Education [ASE], Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education [IELCE], and English as a Second Language [ESL]), vocational training programs, early childhood education programs, TCC, TCD, education or training through WorkSource Georgia, associate degree programs, and bachelor’s degree programs. Parents 21 years of age or older enrolled in a self-paced (i.e., no confirmed instructional or online course hours) adult education or high school diploma program will be granted six credit hours, which equates to 12 hours of state-approved activity hours. Parents 20 years of age or younger participating in middle or high school, adult education, early childhood education credential or training courses, vocational training, TCC, TCD, education or training through WorkSource Georgia, associate degree programs, or bachelor’s degree program have no additional activity requirement. [ ] 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. [ ] 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: Protective services also includes families of children experiencing domestic violence and family violence, families participating in or transitioning from Temporary Assistance for Needy Famalies (TANF), and families who qualify for the Need to Protect priority group with CAPS Management Approval. The Need to Protect priority group consists of children who need to receive protective services but are not formally involved with Child Protective Services (CPS). Situations include, but are not limited to: grandparents, relatives, and other caregivers (excluding biological or adoptive parents) who have taken over full-time care of a child (due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment) that is not in Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) custody, families who had a substantiated CPS case that closed within the last 12 months, and families of children involved in the juvenile justice system. 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? [ ] No. [x] 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 4799.00 40.00 1920.00 2 6275.00 40.00 2510.00 3 7752.00 40.00 3101.00 4 9228.00 40.00 3691.00 5 10705.00 40.00 4282.00 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. [x] 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: Additional income sources as prescribed in Georgia CAPS Policy 8.4 are used to determine the annual gross income for the family unit. d. What is the effective date for these income eligibility limits? 10/06/2025 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://caps.decal.ga.gov/assets/downloads/CAPS/AppendixA- CAPS%20Maximum%20Income%20Limits%20by%20Family%20Size.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 Georgia CAPS Policy 8.8.6 describes the difference between regular and irregular income as it relates to income eligibility calculations at initial application and redetermination. The policy notes, when the parent’s income varies considerably, staff calculate the average of all pay stubs for the past six months. ii. [ ] Request earning statements that are most representative of the family’s monthly income. iii. [ ] 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? [ ] No. [x] Yes. If yes, describe the policy or procedure: CAPS Policy Manual 8.9.1 exempts children in Georgia Division of Family and Child Services (DFCS) custody (i.e., foster care) from certifying that family assets do not exceed $1,000,000. 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: CAPS Policy Manual 7.3 identifies 13 priority population categories that receive child care subsidies at times of funding restrictions. Families are required to be part of at least one of the priority population categories at initial eligibility. Redeterminations shall be processed in the same manner as applications with the exception of being required to be part of at least one CAPS priority populations categories. However, families may be required to submit verification documents to support eligibility at redetermination. Priority categories include: Child Protective Services and court-ordered supervision cases; families with children enrolled in Georgia’s Pre-K program; children in Georgia Division of Family and Children Services custody; children with disabilities; families with very low income as defined by CAPS; grandparents raising grandchildren; minor parents (aged 20 years of age or younger); families experiencing domestic violence; families who lack fixed, regular, and adequate housing; families who have experienced a natural disaster; families participating in or transitioning from TANF; need to protect; student parent. b. [x] Eligibility redetermination? If checked, describe: Redeterminations are processed in the same manner as a new application. While the CAPS program does ask families about priority group status at redetermination, families do not need to demonstrate they continue to meet priority group conditions at redetermination. 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: CAPS Policy 6.7 requires proof of the parent’s identity and provides the following list of acceptable verification documents: federal or state issued identification card; military issued identification card; current school identification card; U.S. Passport; Medicare/Medicaid recipient card; Social Security award letter; declaration of citizenship; naturalization certificate; voter registration card; work or school visa. This list is not all inclusive and other documents may be accepted/considered on a case by case basis. Identity can also be verified using other eligibility program system sources whenever possible. CAPS Policy 14.3.1 notes that parents are not required to re-verify circumstances that have already been verified and are not questionable or subject to change at redetermination. [x] [ ] Applicant’s relationship to the child. Describe how you verify: Although the lead agency accepts client’s self- attestation to verify the applicant’s relationship to the child, the parent is responsible for disclosing the names and relationships of all individuals that reside together in the household to determine the composition of the family unit. For CAPS staff to determine the family unit, discussion needs to include who lives in the home, who is married, who are the parents of which children, and what the relationships are between adults and children in the home (CAPS Policy 5.3.4). CAPS Policy 14.3.1 notes that parents are not required to re-verify circumstances that have already been verified and are not questionable or subject to change at redetermination. Required at Initial Determination Required at Redetermination Description [x] [ ] Child’s information for determining eligibility (e.g., identity, age, citizen/immigration status). Describe how you verify: CAPS Policy 6.4.2 provides the following list of acceptable documents to verify the child’s age. (These also serve as verification of the child’s identity.): birth certificate; court records; U.S. passport; state-issued identification; hospital certificate of live birth; immigration card; social security records; immigration court order; Homeland security documents. Families have the right to submit other forms of verification/documentation that must be credible to determine proof of age. Proof of age can also be verified using other eligibility program system sources whenever possible. CAPS Policy 6.5.6 provides the following list of acceptable documents to verify the child’s citizenship: birth certificate; certificate of citizenship; naturalization certificate; vital records; report of birth from abroad of a U.S. citizen; U.S. citizen I.D. card; U.S. passport; consoler’s report of birth; American Indian card (first issued by USCIS in 1983); court records of parentage, juvenile proceedings, or child support indicating place of birth; religious record of birth recorded in the U.S. or its territories within three months of birth (The document must show the date of birth or the individual’s age at the time the record was made); any document that establishes place of birth or U.S. citizenship, such as records from Social Security Administration, Veterans Administration, local government agencies, hospitals, or clinic’s record of birth or parentage; early school records showing the date of admission to the school, the child’s date and place of birth, and the names and place of birth of the parents; census record showing the name, U.S. citizenship, or a U.S. place of birth and date of birth or age of the individual; adoption finalization papers showing the child’s name and place of birth in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. Territory. If verification of the child’s citizenship is available from another state or federally recognized program, a copy of the automation/system screen indicating citizenship or alien status may be used and filed in the case record. If verification of the child’s citizenship was obtained from another state public agency, a fax/copy of the verification document may be accepted. CAPS Policy 14.3.1 notes that parents are not required to re-verify circumstances that have already been verified and are not questionable or subject to change at redetermination. Required at Initial Determination Required at Redetermination Description [x] [x] Work. Describe how you verify: Acceptable forms of verification of hours of employment include pay stubs, a letter from the employer on business letterhead, CAPS Self- employment Report (Appendix CC) (for self-employed parents only), CAPS Employment Verification (Appendix F), or employer wage records. The acceptable forms of verification are not all-inclusive, and families have the right to submit other forms of third-party verification/documentation that must be credible to determine activity hours. Activity hours can also be verified using other eligibility program system sources when sufficient documentation is available. This information is under CAPS Policy 6.8.2.3. [x] [x] Job training or educational program. Describe how you verify: CAPS staff will verify education enrollment and participation with one or more of the following: Written verification of enrollment from the educational institution and current class schedule or approved DECAL trainer (CDA training only). At a minimum, the written verification must include: The parent’s name and enrollment date, the name of the institution, contact person, and contact information (phone and email). If not included on the class schedule, the written statement must also include the number of credit hours or the number of in-class or online hours per week. Parents may also submit the Completed Education Verification Form (Appendix DD). This information is under CAPS Policy 6.8.3.9.1. Required at Initial Determination Required at Redetermination Description [x] [x] Family income. Describe how you verify: Earned Income Verification. CAPS staff will verify earned income (wages) with one or more of the following: pay stubs or receipts for the most recent four weeks of earnings, most recent 1099 form, most recent W-2 Forms, employer’s wage records, quarterly income tax payment receipts to the IRS (for cash paying jobs or self-employment only), annual income tax returns when presented in the January-March quarter (for cash paying jobs or self-employment only), letter/statement from employer (the letter/statement should be signed and dated on an employer letterhead and include contact information for the employer [phone number, title and relationship to employee], expected/current hire date, number of hours the employee is scheduled/works, and hourly rate of pay [and/or gross salary]) ,documentation from other state eligibility programs, if verification of income is within past six (6) months, employer completed CAPS Employment Verification form (Appendix F) or itemized statement completed by the employer, Military Leave Earning Statement (LES) this is the only acceptable form of verification for a member of the military, family can complete CAPS Self-employment Report form (Appendix CC), business ledgers, business receipts, previous year tax form if submitting before April 15, current tax form if submitting after April 15. Note: The above list is not an all- inclusive list and families have the right to submit other forms of verification/documentation that must be credible to determine income eligibility. Income can also be verified using other eligibility program system sources whenever possible. This information is under CAPS Policy 8.6.1. Unearned Income Verification. CAPS staff will verify unearned income with one or more of the following: check stubs, award letters, social security records, worker’s compensation records, union records, unemployment insurance claim records, documentation from other state eligibility programs, child support system information, court documents. Note: The above list is not all-inclusive, and families have the right to submit other credible forms of verification/ documentation to determine income eligibility. Income can also be verified using other eligibility program system sources whenever possible. This information is Required at Initial Determination Required at Redetermination Description under CAPS Policy 8.7.1. [x] [x] Household composition. Describe how you verify: Although the lead agency accepts client-attestation to verify household composition, the parent is responsible for disclosing the names and relationships of all individuals who reside in the household to determine the composition of the family unit. For CAPS staff to determine the family unit, discussion needs to include who lives in the home, who is married, who are the parents of which children, and what the relationships are between adults and children in the home. [x] [x] Applicant residence. Describe how you verify: All CAPS parents must be a resident of the State of Georgia. Proof of residency may include one of the following: current (unexpired) Georgia government issued driver’s license/identification (I.D.) card, current (unexpired) lease or mortgage statement, notarized statement from landlord or person with whom the applicant resides, children’s school records within current school year, voter registration card, motor vehicle registration card with residence address, wage stubs with residence address, work or school I.D. with residence address, current utility bill/statement, current property tax statement. Note: The list is not an all- inclusive list and families have the right to submit other forms of verification/documentation that must be credible to determine Georgia residency. Georgia residency can also be verified using other eligibility program system sources whenever possible. Required at Initial Determination Required at Redetermination Description [x] [x] Other. Describe how you verify: Families are required to be part of at least one of the priority population categories at initial eligibility. Families do not need to demonstrate they continue to meet these conditions at redetermination. However, families may need to provide supporting documentation to meet program eligibility at redetermination as prescribed in CAPS policy 7.3.1. Child Protective Services (CPS) and court-ordered supervision cases require a referral from Georgia CPS. Children in Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) custody must have a referral from DFCS stating need for child care services and verification that the child is in DFCS custody. Families experiencing domestic violence must provide verification from the Georgia Department of Human Services, report to TANF, police report, court documents, proof of shelter residence, or other third-party documentation verifying the family has experienced domestic violence. Families of children with disabilities acceptable verification may include any of the following: written diagnosis and statement of how the child’s learning is impacted from a licensed medical specialist, an Individualized Family Service Plan (Part C of IDEA), an Individualized Education Program (Part B, section 619, of IDEA), an individual Accommodation Plan (Section 504) that indicates how the child’s learning is impacted, a Medicaid waiver for persons with disabilities (Katie Beckett, NOW, or COMP), proof of Supplemental Security Income for a child who is blind or disabled. Families of children enrolled in Georgia’s Pre-K Program must submit a completed CAPS Georgia’s Pre-K Program Referral Form (Appendix S) if the child’s Pre-K status cannot be verified through the state’s Pre-K database. Families participating in or transitioning from TANF need a referral from TANF (Appendix FF) and a work plan. Families who have experienced a natural disaster must verify 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. Families who lack fixed, regular, and adequate housing 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 Required at Initial Determination Required at Redetermination Description also be used to verify homeless status. A written attestation from the parent that they lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence may be accepted if no other documentation is available. Families with very low income as defined by CAPS must submit earned and unearned income verification for the last four weeks. Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (GRG) must verify participation in the DFCS GRG program. Minor parents: At least one parent must be 20 years of age or younger and provide verification of age. Need to protect: The following situations that may qualify for a need to protect include, but are not limited to: grandparents, relatives, and other caregivers (excluding biological or adoptive parents) who have taken over full- time care of a child (due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment) who is not in DFCS custody, families who had a substantiated CPS case that closed within the last 12 months, families of children involved in the juvenile justice system. Acceptable verification includes: A completed Statement of Guardianship (Appendix EE) is required for grandparents, relatives, and other caregivers raising children who are not in DFCS custody. Referral from a community service program, copy of a case plan or verification from DFCS for families who had a substantiated CPS case that closed within the last 12 months, other documentation verifying need to protect. Student parent Education Verification, CAPS staff will verify education enrollment and participation with one or more of the following: Written verification of enrollment from the educational institution and current class schedule or approved DECAL trainer (CDA training only). The written verification must include, at a minimum: The parent’s name and enrollment date, the name of the institution, contact person, and contact information (phone and email). If not included on the class schedule, the written statement must also include either the number of credit hours or the number of in-class or online hours per week. Parents can also complete the ￿Completed Education Verification Form￿ (Appendix DD). 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: Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) at the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS). b. Provide the following definitions established by the TANF agency: i. “Appropriate child care”: A TANF participant has chosen a child care provider who is licensed, exempt, or meets the CAPS criteria to become an informal caregiver. ii. “Reasonable distance”: The distance that will enable the TANF participant to arrive at their work activity timely without incurring any additional expenses. iii. “Unsuitability of informal child care”: An informal caregiver who failed to meet the health and safety requirements or background check or who has not properly enrolled with CAPS. iv. “Affordable child care arrangements”: Securing a child care choice where fees can be managed on the TANF participant's budget and does not cause a financial hardship. 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. [ ] Verbally iii. [ ] Other. Describe: