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CHILD CARE SUBSIDY ELIGIBILITY POLICY MANUAL  10 SECTION 6: QUALIFYING ACTIVITY (VALID NEED) The applicant shall demonstrate a valid need for child care due to engaging in a qualifying activity. A qualifying activity (valid need) may be one or a combination of the following qualifying activities: (1) Employment; (2) Education; (3) Training; (4) Job search (90 calendar day maximum); (5) Incapacitation/disability of an applicant; or (6) Homelessness as defined in 42 U.S.C. Section 11302(a). Applicants with the following household factors shall also meet the qualifying activity (valid need) requirement: (1) The child is a Protective Services child; or (2) The child is a child with a special need for child care. 6.1 EMPLOYMENT Employment shall be paid work and verified by DESE from the source. Employment is a qualifying activity (valid need) as long as the applicant works without a gap in employment that exceeds 90 calendar days. If the applicant is a license‐exempt, six or fewer child care provider contracted with DESE to accept subsidy payment, this employment shall not qualify for purposes of eligibility for the applicant’s own child. Applicants claiming to work for a six or fewer child care provider contracted with DESE are not eligible to use employment as a qualifying activity (valid need) for care.

6.1.1 VERIFICATION OF EMPLOYMENT Employment verification can include, but is not limited to, any of the following: (1) Written documentation from the employer that includes: applicant name, employer name, phone number, start date, hours worked per pay period, pay frequency, and explanation of any fluctuations in hours; or (2) Wage Stubs; or (3) The Work Number; or (4) DESE contact with the employer; or (5) Statement from the employer, written on company letterhead. For self‐employed individuals: (1) If the business has been in operation for more than a year, DESE will use the individual’s previous year’s tax return, including all schedules along with their statement to determine their work schedule. If the business has not been in operation more than a year, DESE will use the individual’s business records along with their statement to determine their work schedule. 6.2 EDUCATION Education shall be verified by the source: Elementary, Junior High or High School (1) The applicant is enrolled in elementary, junior, or high school.