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CHILD CARE SUBSIDY ELIGIBILITY POLICY MANUAL 4 4.3 ELIGIBILITY UNIT The Eligibility Unit (EU) is considered the people living in the same household, as defined in 5 CSR 25‐200.050. 4.4 RELATIONSHIP OF THE APPLICANT TO THE CHILD To be eligible to receive Child Care Subsidy, the person completing the application shall be: (1) A biological, adoptive, or foster (resource) parent; or (2) The legal guardian of the child for whom Child Care Subsidy is requested; or (3) A caregiver relative; or (4) Other person standing in loco parentis (in the place of the parent). The applicant’s statement of relationship may be used to verify this requirement unless DESE has information contradicting the applicant’s stated relationship status, at which time DESE shall request written documentation from the applicant. 4.5 ELIGIBLE CHILD To be eligible for Child Care Subsidy, the child who is the intended beneficiary shall be: (1) Between birth and the day up to the child’s 13 birthday; or (2) A child between the age of 13 and 18 and classified as having a special need; or (3) A child between the age of 18 but under 19 and still in elementary or secondary school and classified as having a special need; or (4) A child between the age of 18 but under 19 and a Protective Services child. 4.6 SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER NOT REQUIRED A Social Security number (SSN) is not required as a condition of eligibility for Child Care Subsidy. An application for Child Care Subsidy shall not be denied or placed in pending status because of an individual’s failure or refusal to disclose their SSN or the SSN for any household member, including that of the child for whom Child Care Subsidy is requested. 4.7 INCOME ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES In order to qualify for the Child Care Subsidy program, an eligibility unit’s adjusted gross income shall not exceed 85% of the state median income for an eligibility unit of the same size at the time of application. The income maximums change annually as a reflection of the new income percentages and are listed on the Child Care Income Eligibility Guidelines and Sliding Fee Chart, which shall be published by DESE and accessible to the public. 4.8 ASSET LIMITS To qualify for Child Care Subsidy, the EU’s net worth (excluding applicants with a protective services child) shall not exceed $1,000,000. Net Worth is the value of everything owned minus any debts. The applicant’s statement of net worth shall be accepted as verification of this requirement. SECTION 5: ASSESSING INCOME Income includes income from all sources including, but not limited to: wages, adjusted gross income from self‐ employment, adjusted gross income from farm income, social security, dividends, interest, etc. Monthly gross income means the average monthly amount of total income received by members of the eligibility unit before deductions. DESE assesses monthly income to determine program eligibility.