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Child Care Assistance Program Policy Manual Issued 08/2022 Care during temporary breaks from authorized activities 9.15.3 During their 12-month eligibility period, parents may take a temporary break, or a temporary leave of absence, from their activity. A temporary break will not impact a family’s eligibility for child care assistance but may impact their child care authorization depending on their reporting type. At application and redetermination, when a parent is on a temporary break from their activity, whether they are considered to be in an authorized activity at redetermination depends on whether their return to the activity is verified and if they meet all other eligibility requirements. See Chapters 3.7 (Processing Applications) and 10.6.3 (Redetermination Processing - Standards) for more information. 12-Month Reporters – Temporary breaks from activities For 12-Month Reporters within their 12-month eligibility period, authorize child care assistance during a participant’s temporary break from authorized employment, education or Employment Plan activities if the participant is expected to return to the authorized employment, education or Employment Plan activities. The expectation to return to the parent’s activity does not need to be verified. Care should be authorized at the same level as authorized during the parent’s activity. Do not reduce the authorized hours unless: • The parent requests a reduction OR • The child’s school schedule changes OR The provider cannot provide the amount of care authorized. Note: If a 12-Month Reporter requests a reduction in authorized hours and then at a future date during the same 12 month eligibility period requests hours to increase, authorize up to the original hours determined at application, redetermination or last verified activity schedule. See Chapter 9.12 (Authorization Changes During the 12-Month Eligibility Period). Schedule Reporters – Temporary breaks from activities For Schedule Reporters within their 12-month eligibility period who are on a temporary break from their authorized employment, education, or Employment Plan activity: • Reduce the family’s Service Authorization if they are participating in other authorized activity(ies) OR • Continue authorizing care for up to 215 hours per child if they meet the medical leave policy requirements OR • Suspend their case if they are on a temporary break from all authorized activities and do not meet the medical leave policy requirements below. Request verification of the temporary break from employment or education. Do not take action to reduce or suspend the Service Authorization until verification is received or until after the 15-day period the family has to return the verification. See Chapter 7.4 (Verification – 12-month eligibility period).