eligibility-and-enrollment-continuity-of-care-12-month-eligibility

Reason(s) for non-compliance: • The Lead Agency does not always provide a minimum 12-month eligibility period for each child, as required by 98.21(a)(1). (Plan Question 2.5.2a) • The Lead Agency does not appropriately limit what families must report during the 12- month eligibility period to allowable information, as required by 98.21(h)(2). (Plan Question 2.5.4) Overall Target Completion Date: 08/01/2026 Action Step Number Action Step Description Target Completion Date 1 Child care staff will submit White Papers requesting process and automation updates in the Idaho Benefits Eligibility System (IBES) for the following scenarios: -Maintaining a child's eligibility for subsidy for 12 months regardless of their association to an eligible child care provider. -Providing 3 months of Qualifying Activity Protection to continue subsidy eligibility when a family is no longer eligible for/participating with TAFI. -Maintaining a foster child's subsidy eligibility for a full 12 months if the child reunited with their family during their eligibility period. -Ensuring a full 12 months of eligibility for children added to the household once initial eligibility has been determined. These updates will not require policy changes or rule promulgation. 06/30/2025 2 Child care staff will work with Process Engineers and Automation Liaisons to develop updates to the IBES rules engine and benefit process manual and coordinate the timeline for automation development, testing, and implementation of the following scenarios: -Maintaining a child's eligibility for subsidy for 12 months regardless of their association to an 08/01/2026 eligible child care provider. -Providing 3 months of Qualifying Activity Protection to continue subsidy eligibility when a family is no longer eligible for/participating with TAFI. -Maintaining a foster child's subsidy eligibility for a full 12 months if the child reunited with their family during their eligibility period. -Ensuring a full 12 months of eligibility for children added to the household once initial eligibility has been determined. 3 IDHW child care program staff in partnership with the IDHW Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Office will coordinate an update to the Idaho Administrative Code (IDAPA) to limit income reporting requirements after eligibility is determined or reevaluated. Rules will be promulgated for presentation to the legislature's germane committees during the 2026 Idaho Legislative Session. Current notices and processes reflect the reporting income limit of 85% State Median Income, no additional changes will be needed if rules are adopted. 07/01/2026