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

REVISED 04/27/2026

15 • A new application from applicant face to face interactions, • Mailed, faxed, or emailed applications to be processed, • CPS, CWS, & Foster Care

When an applicant has been determined eligible for Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), they are deemed income eligible for Subsidized Child Care Assistance. Some of the information needed for the initial interview can be found in NC FAST. This includes members of the income unit, child’s age, race, citizenship status, and income. Using the information from NC FAST as the first step of the interview process will help streamline the application process. For applicants/recipients that state they are self-employed or receive child support, do not deem these income types from FNS.

Refer to Chapter 7: Family Definition and Determining Income Eligibility & DCDEE-0474 SCCA Verification of Child Support for more information about child support.

Social Security Numbers (SSN) are NOT required to determine eligibility for Subsidized Child Care Assistance and eligibility cannot be denied due to the failure of the applicant to provide a Social Security Number. If applicants choose to provide a Social Security Number, it must be made clear that providing the Social Security Number remains optional and services will not be denied if the Social Security Number is not provided. The child care worker must inform the applicant that the Social Security Number may be used to assemble research data (that do not identify individuals), perform person searches in the NC FAST system or verify income.

Refer to DCDEE-0466 SCCA Request for Information as an optional form that may be used when additional information is needed to process an application.

Refer to Chapter 7 Family Definition and Determining Eligibility for additional information regarding Social Security Numbers and Online Verification (OVS).