Page 55

Child Care Assistance Program Policy Manual Issued 07/2021 MFIP sanctions 4.3.3.9 MFIP sanctions overview Agencies apply Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) sanctions when participants do not comply with Employment Services, Child Support enforcement or financial services orientation. For the first through sixth sanction occurrences, sanctioned participants are NOT removed from the MFIP assistance unit but the amount of the MFIP grant is reduced. For the seventh sanction occurrence, also referred to as 100 percent sanction or sanction disqualification, the family’s MFIP case is closed. For the impact of an MFIP case closing due to a seventh sanction occurrence, see “MFIP case closes due to seventh sanction occurrence” below. Whether the family continues to be eligible for child care assistance depends on the type of non-compliance and their continued participation in authorized activities. Non-cooperation with child support At application, the family must be cooperating with child support to be eligible for child care assistance. During the 12-month eligibility period, if an MFIP sanction is imposed for failure to cooperate with child support, the family continues to be eligible for MFIP/DWP child care assistance except when the MFIP case closes due to the seventh sanction occurrence. See “MFIP case closes due to seventh sanction occurrence” below. At redetermination, the family must cooperate with child support to continue to be eligible for child care assistance. See Chapter 4.9.12 (Child Support cooperation at redetermination). Non-compliance with Employment Services (ES) At application, redetermination, and during the 12-month eligibility period, eligibility for MFIP/DWP child care continues as long as the caregiver remains eligible for MFIP. Authorization of care depends on a variety of factors. • See Chapter 9.1.5.3 (Authorizing care - Sanctions) for the impact of Employment Services sanctions on a child care authorization. • For the effect of an MFIP case closing due to a seventh sanction occurrence on child care assistance eligibility, see “MFIP case closes due to seventh sanction occurrence” below. Non-cooperation with financial services orientation If an MFIP sanction is imposed for failure to cooperate with financial services orientation, eligibility for MFIP child care is not affected. Eligibility for MFIP child care continues as long as the caregiver remains eligible for MFIP. For the effect of an MFIP case closing due to a seventh sanction occurrence on child care assistance eligibility, see “MFIP case closes due to seventh sanction occurrence” below.