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Child Care Assistance Program Policy Manual Issued 07/2023 Processing applications for families experiencing homelessness 3.7.1 Timeframe for processing applications If a family experiencing homelessness appears eligible, process the application within five business days from the date of receipt. If a family experiencing homelessness does not appear eligible or it is unknown if the family is eligible, process the application within 30 calendar days from the date of receipt. With the consent of the applicant, you may extend the processing time to 45 calendar days. Examples of when a family may not appear eligible, or it may be unknown if they are eligible include: • The income reported on the application exceeds the entrance income limit; request verification of income to determine eligibility. • It is unknown if the family has an age-eligible children; request additional information about children in the family. • The application is missing pages. • The application is not signed. • The family has not answered the application questions needed to complete required MEC² fields and the information is not already known to the agency; request needed information from the family. • The family applied for BSF child care assistance but the agency has a BSF waiting list and the family has not reached the top of the waiting list. See Chapter 4.3.12.9 (BSF Priorities) for more information about the waiting list. • The family applied for MFIP but is not yet eligible for MFIP and the agency has a BSF waiting list; the agency can delay processing the CCAP application until MFIP eligibility is determined as long as the application is processed within the standard guidelines. Reviewing and processing applications To process the application: Review the submitted application to determine if the application is complete. The CCAP application asks for most information using questions that are left blank if the question does not apply to the family.

• If required fields in MEC2 cannot be completed based on information on the application and information known to the agency, request information from the family within five business days of receipt.

Process the application with all known information at the time of application:

If eligibility is unknown: • Request additional information needed to determine eligibility within five business days of receiving the application. • If additional information shows the family is eligible, follow the eligible guidance below; except that eligibility and notification is not required within five business days but instead must occur within 30 calendar days or 45 calendar days with the consent of the applicant. • If additional information is not received or shows the family is not eligible, follow the ineligible guidance below.