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Subsidized Child Care Assistance Program Policy Manual Chapter 7. Family Definition and Determining Income Eligibility Revised 08/01/2024

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D. Gainful Employment

Gainful employment is defined as making at least minimum wage. Recipients/applicants who are employed, including self-employment, must be gainfully employed. Applicants who have been self-employed for 12 months or longer must be evaluated for gainful employment. Child care workers must determine the number of gainful employment hours to establish the level of care.

Newly self-employed individuals shall receive 12-months of eligbility to allow time to establish gainful employment. At redetermination, newly self-employed applicants/recipients must have established minimum wage. Child care workers must document that they reviewed the gainful employment requirements with applicants/recipients. The recipient is required to report changes in accordance with Recipient Rights and Responsibilities.

1. If the recipient has been in business for less than 12 months at initial application, the recipient shall receive 12 months eligibility and gainful employment will be re-evaluated at redetermination. At redetermination, if gainful employment has not been established in the initial 12 months of eligibility, gainful employment hours must be re-evaluated to determine level of care.

2. If a recipient becomes self-employed during their eligibility period, the eligibility period dates must remain the same. If the recipient has not been self-employed for 12 months at the time of redetermination, recipient shall receive another 12 months of eligibility to determine gainful employment. Gainful Employment shall be re-evaluated at the following redetermination. Eligibility cannot be reviewed prior to the