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Subsidized Child Care Assistance Program Policy Manual Chapter 4. Application, Eligibility Determination & Documentation

REVISED 04/27/2026

10 A school-age child is defined as a child who will reach the age of five (5) on or before August 31 of that school year and is enrolled in a public or private school during the school year in accordance with the rules of the educational institution where the child is enrolled. If the child’s birthday is:

• First day of the month - the child is considered their new age for the entire month.

• Any other day - the child is considered their new age starting on the first of the following month.

A. Specific age groups with NC FAST

1. Child Turns Five Years Old When a child turns five, a task is sent the month prior to a child turning five years old, requesting that the case owner determine if the child is attending school. The recipient may need a change to hours of care.

2. Child Turns Six Years Old When a child turns 6, a task is sent the month prior to a child turning six years old, requesting that the case owner determine if the child is attending school. The service changes from 0-5 Years to School Age. The recipient may also need a change to hours of care and/or a change to the provider.

3. Child Turns 13 Years Old When a child turns 13, SCCA benefits will continue through the end of the current certification period. Do not terminate services at the time of a child’s 13th birthday or during the month that they turn 13 years of age.

However, if the child turns 13 on the 1st day of their new certification period, end date services on the last day of the prior month. The case worker receives a task the month prior to a child turning 13 years old, requesting a review of the evidence to determine if the child has special circumstances that make them eligible for continued benefits, such as court-ordered supervision or