2.2 Eligible Children and Families

At eligibility determination or redetermination, children must (1) be younger than age 13; (2) reside with a family whose income does not exceed 85 percent of the State's median income (SMI) for a family of the same size and whose family assets do not exceed $1,000,000; and (3)(a) reside with a parent or parents who are working or attending a job training or educational program (which can include job search) or (b) receive, or need to receive, protective services as defined by the Lead Agency. 2.2.1 Eligibility criteria: age of children served Lead Agencies may provide child care assistance for children less than 13 years of age, including continuing to provide assistance to children if they turn 13 during the eligibility period. In addition, Lead Agencies can choose to serve children up to age 19 if those children are unable to care for themselves. a. Does your Lead Agency serve the full federally allowable age range of children through age 12? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe the age range of children served and the reason why you made that decision to serve less than the full range of allowable children. Note: Do not include children incapable of self-care or under court supervision, who are reported below in 2.2.1b and 2.2.1c. b. Does the Lead Agency extend eligibility for CCDF-funded child care to children ages 13 and older but below age 19 who are physically and/or mentally incapable of self-care? [ ] No. [x] Yes. i. If yes, the upper age is (may not equal or exceed age 19): 18.00 ii. If yes, provide the Lead Agency definition of physical and/or mental incapacity: NH DHHS defines this as a child, under 18 years of age, who has a verified medical, physical, developmental, educational, or emotional disability or significant special need, requiring additional funds for accommodation or classroom adaptation in the child care setting. c. Does the Lead Agency extend eligibility for CCDF-funded child care to children ages 13 and older but below age 19 who are under court supervision? [x] No. [ ] Yes. If yes, and the upper age is (may not equal or exceed age 19): d. How does the Lead Agency define the following eligibility terms? i. “residing with”: "Residing with" means the children & adults who reside in the same household & who have a birth, foster, step, adoptive, legal guardianship or caretaker relative relationship. ii. “in loco parentis”: "in loco parentis" has three categories in NH: Caretaker relative means a specified relative, other than a parent, who provides care & parental control to a dependent child. Foster parent means an individual who has a license or permit for foster family care. Legal Guardian means an individual who is given legal authority by a court and charged with the duty to provide care, custody, and supervision of a child 2.2.2 Eligibility criteria: reason for care Lead Agencies have broad flexibility on the work, training, and educational activities required to qualify for child care assistance. Lead Agencies do not have to set a minimum number of hours for families to qualify for work, training, or educational activities, and there is no requirement to limit authorized child care services strictly based on the work, training, or educational schedule/hours of the parent(s). For example, the Lead Agency can include travel or study time in calculating the amount of needed services. How does the Lead Agency define the following terms for the purposes of determining CCDF eligibility? a. Identify which of the following activities are included in your definition of “working” by checking the boxes below: i. [x] An activity for which a wage or salary is paid. ii. [x] Being self-employed. iii. [ ] During a time of emergency or disaster, partnering in essential services. iv. [ ] Participating in unpaid activities like student teaching, internships, or practicums. v. [x] Time for meals or breaks. vi. [x] Time for travel. vii. [x] Seeking employment or job search. viii. [x] Other. Describe: TANF recipients who are in treatment/services for substance use or mental health issues are considered eligible. b. Identify which of the following activities are included in your definition of “attending job training” by checking the boxes below: i. [x] Vocational/technical job skills training. ii. [x] Apprenticeship or internship program or other on-the-job training. iii. [x] English as a Second Language training. iv. [x] Adult Basic Education preparation. v. [x] Participation in employment service activities. vi. [x] Time for meals and breaks. vii. [x] Time for travel. viii. [x] Hours required for associated activities such as study groups, lab experiences. ix. [ ] Time for outside class study or completion of homework. x. [x] Other. Describe: TANF Participants: in 6910.09 (l), (m) & (n): (l) For parents who are NHEP participants and are also in an approved training or educational program, including an online training or educational program, acceptable verification shall be a signed and dated statement from the school or training organization indicating: (1) The parent is enrolled in the program; (2) The duration of the program; (3) The class schedule, including hours of class attendance; and (4) The program shall lead to a degree, license, or certificate at the bachelor’s level or lower in a specific field of employment; c. Identify which of the following diplomas, certificates, degrees, or activities are included in your definition of “attending an educational program” by checking the boxes below: i. [x] Adult High School Diploma or GED. ii. [x] Certificate programs (12-18 credit hours). iii. [x] One-year diploma (36 credit hours). iv. [x] Two-year degree. v. [x] Four-year degree. vi. [x] Travel to and from classrooms, labs, or study groups. vii. [x] Study time. viii. [x] Hours required for associated activities such as study groups, lab experiences. ix. [x] Time for outside class study or completion of homework. x. [x] Applicable meal and break times. xi. [ ] Other. Describe: d. Does the Lead Agency impose a Lead Agency-defined minimum number of hours of activity for eligibility? [ ] No. [x] Yes. If yes, describe any Lead Agency-imposed minimum requirement for the following: [x] Work. Describe: Requires a minimum of one hour of work [x] Job training. Describe: Requires a minimum of one hour of job training [x] Education. Describe: Requires a minimum of one hour of education [x] Combination of allowable activities. Describe: Requires a minimum of one hour of allowable activities [ ] Other. Describe: e. Does the Lead Agency allow parents to qualify for CCDF assistance based on education and training without additional work requirements? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe the additional work requirements: f. Does the Lead Agency extend eligibility to specific populations of children otherwise not eligible by including them in its definition of “children who receive or need to receive protective services?” Note: A Lead Agency may elect to provide CCDF-funded child care to children in foster care when foster care parents are not working or are not in education/training activities, but this provision should be included in the Lead Agency’s protective services definition. [x] No. If no, skip to question 2.2.3. [ ] Yes. If yes, answer the questions below: Provide the Lead Agency’s definition of “protective services” by checking below the sub-populations of children that are included: [ ] Children in foster care. [ ] Children in kinship care. [ ] Children who are in families under court supervision. [ ] Children who are in families receiving supports or otherwise engaged with a child welfare agency. [ ] Children participating in a Lead Agency’s Early Head Start - Child Care Partnerships program. [ ] Children whose family members are deemed essential workers under a governor-declared state of emergency. [ ] Children experiencing homelessness. [ ] Children whose family has been affected by a natural disaster. [ ] Other. Describe: g. Does the Lead Agency waive the income eligibility requirements for cases in which children receive, or need to receive, protective services on a case-by-case basis? [ ] No. [ ] Yes. h. Does the Lead Agency waive the eligible activity (e.g., work, job training, education, etc.) requirements for cases in which children receive, or need to receive, protective services on a case-by-case basis? [ ] No. [ ] Yes. i. Does the Lead Agency use CCDF funds to provide respite care to custodial parents of children in protective services? [ ] No. [ ] Yes. 2.2.3 Eligibility criteria: deciding entity on family income limits How are income eligibility limits established? [x] There is a statewide limit with no local variation. [ ] There is a statewide limit with local variation. Provide the number of income eligibility tables and describe who sets the limits: [ ] Eligibility limits are established locally only. Provide the number of income eligibility tables and describe who sets the limits: [ ] Other. Describe: 2.2.4 Initial eligibility: income limits a. Complete the appropriate table to describe family income limits. i. Complete the table below to provide the statewide maximum income eligibility percent and dollar limit or threshold: Family Size 100% of SMI ($/Month) Maximum Initial Eligibility Limit (or Threshold) % Maximum Initial Eligibility Limit (or Threshold) $ 1 5783.00 85.00 4915.00 2 7562.00 85.00 6428.00 3 9341.00 85.00 7940.00 4 11121.00 85.00 9453.00 5 12900.00 85.00 10965.00 ii. Does the Lead Agency certify that they use other funds if the income eligibility limit percent exceeds 85% SMI? [x] Not applicable. The Lead Agency does not allow income eligibility limits above 85% SMI. [ ] Yes, the Lead Agency certifies that they use other funds (non-CCDF funds) for families with income that exceeds 85% SMI. [ ] No. The Lead Agency establishes income eligibility limits above SMI and includes CCDF funds to pay for families with income that exceeds 85% SMI. If checked, describe: b. Complete the table below if the Lead Agency has local variation in the maximum income eligibility limit. Complete the table for the region/locality with the highest eligibility limit, region/locality with the lowest eligibility limit, and the region/locality that is most populous: i. Region/locality with the highest eligibility limit: Family Size 100% of SMI ($/Month) Maximum Initial Eligibility Limit (or Threshold) % Maximum Initial Eligibility Limit (or Threshold) $ 1 2 3 4 5 ii. Region/locality with the lowest eligibility limit: Family Size 100% of SMI ($/Month) Maximum Initial Eligibility Limit (or Threshold) % Maximum Initial Eligibility Limit (or Threshold) $ 1 2 3 4 5 iii. Region/locality that is most populous: Family Size 100% of SMI ($/Month) Maximum Initial Eligibility Limit (or Threshold) % Maximum Initial Eligibility Limit (or Threshold) $ 1 2 Family Size 100% of SMI ($/Month) Maximum Initial Eligibility Limit (or Threshold) % Maximum Initial Eligibility Limit (or Threshold) $ 3 4 5 iv. Does the Lead Agency certify that they use other funds if the income eligibility limit percent exceeds 85% SMI? [ ] Not applicable. The Lead Agency does not allow income eligibility limits above 85% SMI. [ ] Yes, the Lead Agency certifies that they use other funds (not CCDF funds) for families with income that exceeds 85% SMI. [ ] No. The Lead Agency establishes income eligibility limits above 85% SMI and includes CCDF funds to pay for families with income that exceeds 85% SMI. If checked, describe: c. How does the Lead Agency define “income” for the purposes of eligibility at the point of initial determination? Check all that apply: i. [x] Gross wages or salary. ii. [x] Disability or unemployment compensation. iii. [x] Workers’ compensation. iv. [x] Spousal support, child support. v. [x] Survivor and retirement benefits. vi. [ ] Rent for room within the family’s residence. vii. [ ] Pensions or annuities. viii. [ ] Inheritance. ix. [ ] Public assistance. x. [x] Other. Describe: The total monthly monies received before taxes and other deductions. The following types of gross income are excluded: TANF income, any income of grandparents when three generations live in one household, any income of a legal guardian or the legal guardian’s spouse who are requesting child care for an unrelated child (unless they are also requesting child care for their own child as well), any earned income of children through age 19 who are full-time students in high school or its equivalent, child foster care payments, AmeriCorps VISTA income, VA benefits for certain children of female Vietnam veterans, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) when the recipient is a minor child, and any educational assistance, loans or scholarships used for educational expenses, such as tuition, mandatory fees, books, supplies or travel. d. What is the effective date for these income eligibility limits? July 1, 2024 e. Income limits must be established and reported in terms of current SMI based on the most recent data published by the Bureau of the Census, even if the federal poverty level is used in implementing the program. What federal data does the Lead Agency use when reporting the income eligibility limits? [x] LIHEAP. If checked, provide the publication year of the LIHEAP guideline estimates used by the Lead Agency: 2024 [x] Other. Describe: Federal Register https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/01/19/2023-00885/annual-update-of- the-hhs-poverty-guidelines f. Provide the direct URL/website link, if available, for the income eligibility limits. https://www.nh-connections.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Form-2532-2024-Child- Care-Scholarship-Income-Eligibility-Levels-Final.pdf 2.2.5 Income eligibility: irregular fluctuations in earnings Lead Agencies must take into account irregular fluctuations in earnings in initial eligibility determination and redetermination processes. The Lead Agency must ensure that temporary increases in income, including temporary increases that can result in a monthly income exceeding 85 percent of SMI from seasonal employment or other temporary work schedules, do not affect eligibility or family co-payments. Check the processes that the Lead Agency uses to take into account irregular fluctuations in earnings. i. [x] Average the family’s earnings over a period of time (e.g., 12 months). Identify the period of time NH averages a family’s earnings using 4 consecutive weeks, or annualizes the income from the previous 12 months when such income represents a best estimate of future income. ii. [x] Request earning statements that are most representative of the family’s monthly income. iii. [x] Deduct temporary or irregular increases in wages from the family’s standard income level. iv. [ ] Other. Describe the other ways the Lead Agency takes into account irregular fluctuations in earnings: 2.2.6 Family asset limit a. When calculating income eligibility, does the Lead Agency ensure each eligible family does not have assets that exceed $1,000,000? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe: b. Does the Lead Agency waive the asset limit on a case-by-case basis for families defined as receiving, or in need of, protective services? [x] No. [ ] Yes. If yes, describe the policy or procedure: 2.2.7 Additional eligibility criteria Aside from the eligibility conditions or rules which have been described in 2.2.1 – 2.2.6, is any additional eligibility criteria applied during: a. [x] Eligibility determination? If checked, describe: Each child for whom the NH Child Care Scholarship Program is requested must be a resident of New Hampshire; except for children of migrant workers who qualify as homeless because they are living in circumstances described in the McKinney-Vento Act. Each child for whom the NH Child Care Scholarship Program is requested must also reside in the same household as the parent/caretaker relative/legal guardian who is requesting NH Child Care Scholarship Program, and must be a U.S. Citizen, or a noncitizen who meets TANF criteria for noncitizen eligibility. b. [x] Eligibility redetermination? If checked, describe: Each child for whom the NH Child Care Scholarship Program is requested must be a resident of New Hampshire; except for children of migrant workers who qualify as homeless because they are living in circumstances described in the McKinney-Vento Act. Each child for whom the NH Child Care Scholarship Program is requested must also reside in the same household as the parent/caretaker relative/legal guardian who is requesting NH Child Care Scholarship Program, and must be a U.S. Citizen, or a noncitizen who meets TANF criteria for noncitizen eligibility. 2.2.8 Documentation of eligibility determination Lead Agencies must document and verify that children receiving CCDF funds meet eligibility criteria at the time of eligibility determination and redetermination. Check the information that the Lead Agency documents and verifies at initial determination and redetermination and describe what information is required and how often. Required at Initial Determination Required at Redetermination Description [x] [ ] Applicant identity. Describe how you verify: Birth certificate or State Vital Records, drivers license. [x] [ ] Applicant’s relationship to the child. Describe how you verify: Birth certificate or State Vital Records, drivers license. [x] [ ] Child’s information for determining eligibility (e.g., identity, age, citizen/immigration status). Describe how you verify: Birth certificate, baptismal certificate, US Passport, State Vital Records, immigration documentation [x] [x] Work. Describe how you verify: NH requests the last 4 weeks of pay, all pages of the client’s most recent completed tax return, profit & loss form or self- employment logs(if self employed) from the client. Required at Initial Determination Required at Redetermination Description [x] [x] Job training or educational program. Describe how you verify: Job training: Unemployment compensation benefits, summary page from NH Job Works or BCDHSC form 2693 ￿NH Child Care Scholarship Program Job Search Activity Verification Form￿. Education: Signed & dated statement from the school verifying enrollment, duration, class schedule and verification that the outcome of the educational program results in a bachelor’s degree or lower. [x] [x] Family income. Describe how you verify: Paystubs, employment form, signed statement or collateral contact with the employer, signed statement from contributor of unearned income or physical documentation of the income. [x] [x] Household composition. Describe how you verify: Lease or rental form, statement from landlord or collateral call to the landlord. [x] [x] Applicant residence. Describe how you verify: Unexpired lease, rent receipts, utility bills, landlord statement, deed/ mortgage statement or rental form. [ ] [ ] Other. Describe how you verify: not applicable 2.2.9 Exception to TANF work requirements Lead Agencies must ensure that families with young children participating in TANF will be informed of their right not to be sanctioned under the TANF work requirement if the custodial parent has a demonstrated inability to obtain child care for a child under age six, in accordance with Section 407(e)(2) of the Social Security Act. a. Identify the TANF agency that established these criteria or definitions: Department of Health & Human Services/Division of Economic Stability b. Provide the following definitions established by the TANF agency: i. “Appropriate child care”: The child care provider is open for the hours & days the parent would need child care in order to comply with work requirements; able & willing to provide child care services including any of those required to address the special needs of the children; either licensed or license-exempt for the appropriate age group in accordance with RSA 170E; and providing care that is representative of the quality of child care provided to other children in the community ii. “Reasonable distance”: The distance of the available child care provider from the individual’s residence and then to their work activity is not substantially greater than the distance that others living in the same town or city would travel for child care services and then to their work activity. iii. “Unsuitability of informal child care”: The child care provider is license exempt & was not able to successfully pass the background check required in RSA 170E:7 related to the central registry and criminal records check, or the child care provider was not able to meet the conditions specified in the employment-related child care program rules He-C 6914 & He-C 6920. iv. “Affordable child care arrangements”: Equal access to child care that can be maintained without undue financial hardship to the family. c. How are parents who receive TANF benefits informed about the exception to the individual penalties associated with the TANF work requirements? i. [x] In writing ii. [x] Verbally iii. [ ] Other. Describe: