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: Physically or mentally incapable of self-care as verified by a licensed mental health professional or licensed practitioner of the healing arts. (IDAPA 16.06.12.105.03.a.) 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”: Child Custody: A child may move from one (1) parent's home to the other parent's home on a regular basis. The child may be a member of either household, but not both households. If the parents cannot agree on the child's household for the child care benefit, the child is included in the household with primary custody. Primary custody is determined by where the child is expected to spend fifty-one percent (51%) or more of the nights during a benefit period. When only one (1) parent applies for ICCP benefits, the child may be included in that parent's household even though they do not have primary physical custody of the child. (IDAPA 16.06.12.105.04) ii. “in loco parentis”: Acting ￿in loco parentis￿ means a person who acts in place of a parent, assuming care and custody of a child by legal guardianship. (IDAPA 16.06.12.010.14) 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. [ ] Participating in unpaid activities like student teaching, internships, or practicums. v. [ ] Time for meals or breaks. vi. [x] Time for travel. vii. [ ] 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. [ ] 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. [ ] Time for outside class study or completion of homework. x. [ ] Other. Describe: 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. [x] Travel to and from classrooms, labs, or study groups. vii. [ ] Study time. viii. [ ] Hours required for associated activities such as study groups, lab experiences. ix. [ ] Time for outside class study or completion of homework. x. [ ] Applicable meal and break times. xi. [ ] Other. Describe: d. Does the Lead Agency impose a Lead Agency-defined minimum number of hours of activity for eligibility? [x] No. [ ] Yes. If yes, describe any Lead Agency-imposed minimum requirement for the following: [ ] Work. Describe: [ ] Job training. Describe: [ ] Education. Describe: [ ] Combination of allowable activities. Describe: [ ] 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. [ ] Children in kinship care. [ ] Children who are in families under court supervision. [x] Children who are in families receiving supports or otherwise engaged with a child welfare agency. [ ] 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. [ ] Children whose family has been affected by a natural disaster. [ ] Other. Describe: 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? [x] No. [ ] 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? [x] No. [ ] 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 3758.00 57.00 2127.00 2 4914.00 59.00 2876.00 Family Size 100% of SMI ($/Month) Maximum Initial Eligibility Limit (or Threshold) % Maximum Initial Eligibility Limit (or Threshold) $ 3 6070.00 60.00 3626.00 4 7227.00 61.00 4375.00 5 8383.00 61.00 5125.00 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 Family Size 100% of SMI ($/Month) Maximum Initial Eligibility Limit (or Threshold) % Maximum Initial Eligibility Limit (or Threshold) $ 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. [x] Inheritance. ix. [ ] Public assistance. x. [x] Other. Describe: All gross earned and unearned income is counted in determining eligibility and the childcare benefit amount, unless specifically excluded. (IDAPA 16.06.12.071) The following sources of income are not counted as family income (IDAPA 16.06.12.072): - Earned income of a dependent child under age 18, unless the child is a parent who is seeking or receiving child care benefits - Income received for person not residing with the family - All educational funds including grants, scholarships, an AmeriCorps Education Award, and federal and state work-study income - Assistance to meet a specific need from other organizations and agencies - Non-recurring lump sum income - Loans - money received that is to be repaid - TAFI and AABD benefits - Foster care payments - Living allowances, wages and stipends paid to AmeriCorps or VISTA volunteers under 42 U.C.S. 5044, P.L. 93-113, Title IV, Section 404(g) - Income tax refunds and earned income tax credits - Reimbursements from employers for work-related travel - Income received from a tribe for any purpose other than direct wages - Income of licensed foster parents when determining eligibility for a foster child - Adoption assistance payments - Wages paid by the Census Bureau for temporary employment related to U.S.Census activities; excluded for a time period not to exceed six (6) months during the regularly scheduled ten-year U.S. Census - Office of Refugee Resettlement assistance - Workforce Investment Act (WIA) benefits or Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) benefits d. What is the effective date for these income eligibility limits? October 01, 2023 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: 2023 [ ] Other. Describe: f. Provide the direct URL/website link, if available, for the income eligibility limits. https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/services-programs/children-families/apply-child-care- assistance 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 If changes in income have occurred or are anticipated, past income cannot be used as an indicator of anticipated income. If income changes and income received in the past thirty (30) days does not reflect anticipated income, the Department can use the household income received over a longer period to anticipate income. If income changes seasonally, the Department can use the household income from the last season, comparable to the certification period, to anticipate income. (IDAPA 16.06.12.076) ii. [x] 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? [x] No. [ ] Yes. If yes, describe the policy or procedure: 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: Eligible Child (IDAPA 16.06.12.105): A family can only receive child care benefits for eligible children. A child is eligible for child care benefits under the following conditions: 1. Immunizations Requirements - A child must be immunized in accordance with IDAPA 16.02.11, "Immunization Requirements for Children Attending Licensed Daycare Facilities in Idaho." Child care benefits can continue during a reasonable period necessary for the child to be immunized. Parents must provide evidence that the child has been immunized unless the child is attending school. 2. Citizenship or Alien Status Requirement - A child must be a citizen or living lawfully in the United States. b. [x] Eligibility redetermination? If checked, describe: Eligible Child (IDAPA 16.06.12.105): A family can only receive child care benefits for eligible children. A child is eligible for child care benefits under the following conditions: 1. Immunizations Requirements - A child must be immunized in accordance with IDAPA 16.02.11, "Immunization Requirements for Children Attending Licensed Daycare Facilities in Idaho." Child care benefits can continue during a reasonable period necessary for the child to be immunized. Parents must provide evidence that the child has been immunized unless the child is attending school. 2. Citizenship or Alien Status Requirement - A child must be a citizen or living lawfully in the United States. 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: For all benefits programs, identity verification is required only once, unless later information raises a question about the individual's identity. Idaho has an automated verification system that is used by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Medicaid program workers called eVerif-I. This system interfaces with other systems such as vital statistics, Social Security, Dept. of Labor, Child Support, and other automated systems that is used to verify income and identity of all family members. [x] [ ] Applicant’s relationship to the child. Describe how you verify: Household declaration on the application or with information in other benefit systems. Only once during certification period is this verified, at time of application. [x] [ ] Child’s information for determining eligibility (e.g., identity, age, citizen/immigration status). Describe how you verify: Idaho has an automated verification system that is used by SNAP and Medicaid program workers called e-Verif I. This system interfaces with other systems such as Vital Statistics, Social Security, Department of Labor, Child Support, and other automated systems that are used to verify income and identity of all family members. [x] [x] Work. Describe how you verify: Qualifying activities are verified with a school schedule, training schedule, and/or most recent 30 days of wages and working hours. Activities are verified every 12 months with scanned copies of all verifications stored in eCase. Verifications will be requested after 12 months, or if a change is reported by the client. For foster children, staff in the Division of Family and Community Services (FACS) verify a foster parent's activity hours. Unless a discrepancy is found, child care eligibility staff do not request additional verifications. Required at Initial Determination Required at Redetermination Description [x] [x] Job training or educational program. Describe how you verify: Qualifying activities are verified with a school schedule, training schedule, and/or most recent 30 days of wages and working hours. Activities are verified every 12 months with scanned copies of all verifications stored in eCase. Verifications will be requested after 12 months, or if a change is reported by the client. For foster children, staff in the Division of Family and Community Services (FACS) verify a foster parent's activity hours. Unless a discrepancy is found, child care eligibility staff do not request additional verifications. [x] [x] Family income. Describe how you verify: Family income is verified with most recent pay records and/or wage stubs, work verification forms completed by the employer, employer statements verifying income, collateral contacts, self-employment documents such as tax returns, and/or the Work Number. Income is verified every 12 months with scanned copies of all verifications stored in eCase. For foster children, household income is not counted. [x] [x] Household composition. Describe how you verify: Household declaration on the application or with information in comprehensive benefit systems. This is verified every 12 months. [x] [x] Applicant residence. Describe how you verify: Household declaration on the application or with information in other benefit systems. For foster children, staff in the Division of Family and Community Services (FACS) verify a foster family's residence. Unless a discrepancy is found, child care eligibility staff do not request additional verifications. This is verified every 12 months. [ ] [ ] Other. Describe how you verify: NA 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: The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (IDHW) is responsible for TANF. b. Provide the following definitions established by the TANF agency: i. “Appropriate child care”: A licensed provider or license exempt provider as outlined in IDAPA, or client preferred informal child care provided by family, friend, or neighbor, with available hours of operations that align with the participant’s work schedule. ii. “Reasonable distance”: Total travel time from the participant’s residence to the child care facility or home by public or private transportation is within 1 hour. iii. “Unsuitability of informal child care”: The suitability of an informal child care arrangement is determined on a case-by case basis, and may be considered unsuitable if the child care does not offer a safe and stable environment or adequate care and supervision. iv. “Affordable child care arrangements”: To be ￿affordable,￿ a family’s out of pocket child care costs, after subsidy payments and any provider applied discounts, do not exceed 50% of the client’s cash benefit amount. c. How are parents who receive TANF benefits informed about the exception to the individual penalties associated with the TANF work requirements? i. [ ] In writing ii. [x] Verbally iii. [ ] Other. Describe: