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426 (07/2026) Chapter 2:Eligibility • Section 6: Non-financial eligibility categorically eligible for ERDC. Verification of TANF satisfies the child care need requirement. These families are not required to verify a qualifying activity such as employment, school, or authorized medical leave (AML). Two-caretaker families are not required to have overlapping work or school hours to qualify for child care under Categorical ERDC. 3. Expanded Child Welfare (EXP-CW) Families involved with Child Protective Services (CPS), or identified as at risk of CPS involvement, are categorically eligible for ERDC. Verification of CPS involvement or risk satisfies the child care need requirement. These families are not required to verify a qualifying activity such as employment, school, or authorized medical leave (AML). Family well-being activities After a family is approved for child care through one of the eligibility pathways—Standard ERDC, Categorical ERDC, or Expanded Child Welfare—authorized child care hours may be used to support family well-being activities. For Standard ERDC, hours are primarily authorized to cover the time a caretaker is working, attending school, or on Authorized Medical Leave (AML). However, if there are additional hours remaining within the monthly authorization, families may use those hours to participate in family well-being activities. For families approved under Categorical ERDC or Expanded Child Welfare (EXP-CW), authorized hours may be used entirely for family well-being activities, regardless of whether the caretaker is working, in school, or on medical leave. These families are not required to be employed, attending school, or be on Authorized Medical Leave (AML). Family well-being activities play a key role in supporting long-term success and may include, but are not limited to: • Medical, dental, mental health or occupational/physical appointments • Educational meetings • Employment services appointments • Legal aid or advocacy appointments • Financial counseling • Child development services • Nutrition and wellness appointments • Housing assistance meetings • Volunteer work • Driver’s education courses REF This does not apply to the REF program. MSP This does not apply to MSP. OSIPM This does not apply to OSIPM.