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Title 13: Social Service Resources Page 58 Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Employees’ Manual Chapter G: Child Care Assistance Determining Eligiblity Revised June 14, 2024 CCA Exit Program Documentation to substantiate that a child meets the definition of “child with special needs” may include: ▪ A copy of the child’s Individual Education Plan. ▪ A psychological evaluation. ▪ A statement from a physician, intellectual disability professional, mental health professional, or school psychologist. ▪ Documentation to verify that the child is receiving SSI benefits. NOTE: The fact that the child meets the definition for special needs alone does not mean that the child care provider can charge the special needs rate. See Half Day Rate Ceilings. Family Size Legal reference: 441 IAC 170.2(1) Policy: The family includes the following members: ▪ Legal spouses (including common law) who reside in the same household. ▪ Natural, adoptive, or stepmother or stepfather and children under the age of 18, or under the age of 19 if the child has special needs, who reside in the same household. ▪ A parent under the age of 18 and children who reside in the same household. Consider only the teen parent and the teen parent’s children in the family size. ▪ A child residing with a person or persons not legally responsible for the child’s support (caretakers or guardians). Consider the child as a family of one. Consider only the child’s income when determining financial eligibility. Procedure: Do not consider companion in the home in determining family size or income unless there is a common child. The composition of the family does not change when one or more of the family members are temporarily absent from the household. Consider people who are temporarily absent when determining family size. “Temporarily absent” means: ▪ Absence with the intent to return home within three months. ▪ A medical absence anticipated to be less than three months. ▪ An absence for the purpose of education or employment.