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CHILD CARE SUBSIDY ELIGIBILITY POLICY MANUAL  17 8.4 CASE CLOSING The case shall be closed if: (1) Adjusted gross monthly income exceeds 85% of the state median income for the EU; (2) The qualifying activity (valid need) has ended for more than 90 calendar days; or (3) The eligible child no longer remains in the participant’s care or custody. (4) The eligible child misses 30 consecutive unexcused days. 8.5 VOLUNTARY CLOSING A participant may voluntarily close their case by submitting a written request to DESE. 8.6 PARTICIPANT PASSES AWAY In the event that a participant passes away, remaining adult EU members shall have the opportunity to act as head of household for the child’s case. 8.7 ADDING OR REMOVING AN ELIGIBILITY UNIT MEMBER The participant may add or remove EU members once determined eligible. If the additional EU members increases the benefit, the change shall be processed. If the additional EU members decrease the benefit, the benefit shall be disregarded. 8.8 CHANGE IN THE AGE OF A CHILD Providers are paid different rates depending on the age of the child. The rate change from infant to preschool, and from preschool to school‐age, is made the first day of the month following the child’s 2nd and 5th birthdays. An eligible child who turns 13 years of age shall continue receiving benefits until the end of the participant’s eligibility period, unless determined to be a child with a special need for child care or a Protective Service child. 8.9 CASE CLOSINGS DUE TO AGENCY ERROR In the event of agency error, where the participant is found eligible and later found ineligible due to agency error, the case shall remain open for the eligibility period. However, in the event of an intentional violation on the part of the participant, which would invalidate the prior determination of eligibility, DESE may close the case and shall notify the participant of its findings in writing. SECTION 9: PAYMENT OF CHILD CARE BENEFITS 9.1 SLIDING FEE FROM PARTICIPANT The sliding fee is the portion of the child care expense that the participant must pay directly to the child care provider. If an eligibility unit’s only income is Temporary Assistance, or, if the total gross income falls below 25% of the state median income level, the participant is required to pay $1 annually to meet the sliding fee requirement. The amount of the sliding fee paid by the eligibility unit is determined by using the Child Care Eligibility Income Guidelines and Sliding Fee Chart. It is based on household size and adjusted gross monthly income. The sliding fee is deducted from the base rate before payment is made to the child care provider. The sliding fee varies by the amount of care (full, half, and part time).