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10-148 Chapter 6 page 11

68. Unacceptable Absence means a lack of attendance by a Child at the Child Care Provider for more than two (2) calendar days per month without Reasonable Cause or previous approval from the Department. 69. Underpayments means when the Parent or the Child Care Provider does not receive all the benefits to which the Parent or the Child Care Provider is entitled due to an Agency Administrative Error or an error by the Parent or Child Care Provider.

70. Waitlist means a list which prioritizes eligible participants by specific criteria.

SECTION 2: ELIGIBILITY

A. Child Eligibility. To be eligible for a Child Care Affordability Program, a Child shall:

1. Reside with a Family whose Gross Income does not exceed one hundred twenty- five percent (125%) of the State Median Income (SMI) when adjusted for Family size. SMI is based on the most recent SMI data that is published by the Bureau of the Census, for a Family of the same size; 2. Reside with a Family whose Family Assets do not exceed $1,000,000 (as certified by the Parent); 3. Be a U.S. citizen, or a “qualified alien” as defined in 8 U.S.C. §1641 or defined in 8 U.S.C. § 1359. Only the citizenship and immigration status of the Child, who is the primary beneficiary of the Child Care Affordability Program, is relevant for eligibility purposes. Parents who cannot provide verification of citizenship of Children receiving Child Care Services are not eligible for the Child Care Affordability Program. 4. Not Reside With a Parent who has a current status of Misrepresentation to obtain any State or Federal benefit; 5. Reside with a Parent who is a Maine Resident; 6. Reside with a Parent(s) who is Employed or attending an Educational Program or Job Training Program which prevents the Parent(s) from providing care and supervision of the Child(ren) during the time the Parent is participating in the activity. 7. Meet one of the following age requirements: a. Be at least six (6) weeks of age and less than thirteen (13) years of age;