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429 (07/2026) Chapter 2:Eligibility • Section 6: Non-financial eligibility Child care hours are authorized using the highest number of verified work or school hours provided from the applicant’s verification, if the hours are reasonably anticipated to continue. Once the highest number of verified hours are entered in ONE, the system will automatically evaluate for either part-time or full-time authorization of hours.
Cases with 1-20 hours a week will be approved for 20 hours a week (before travel time)
Cases with 21-40 hours a week will be approved for 40 hours a week (before travel time). Authorizing the highest number of verified hours helps assure the caretaker’s child care need is covered and allows flexibility to work varying shifts, potential overtime, and attend class without a child care disruption. Caretaker work and school schedule Caretakers’ work and school schedules must be entered in ONE under the Caretaker Schedule screens. An exception applies to self-paced online courses without specific start and end times – these hours should be recorded under the Education tab in the Individual Information screen. Work schedules may be verbally reported; verification is not required. However, school schedules must be verified. For Categorical ERDC and Expanded Child Welfare (EXP-CW), a schedule may not need to be record in ONE if the caretaker is not employed or attending school. Determining child care work hours with split physical custody Click here for Shared custody. Child care hours for self-employed individuals The gross earnings of a self-employed individual are used before deductions when reviewing for ERDC eligibility. This means the total earnings are compared to the ERDC income limits, both initial and exit and ongoing limit, to determine whether the family is eligible for ERDC prior to exploring costs or deductions of the business. If the family is below the ERDC income limits using the gross earnings of their self- employment income, they meet ERDC income eligibility. Costs can be determined at this point. Determining costs There are various ways to treat self-employment income within ERDC: • No costs:
If the applicant states they have no cost associated with running their business, the full gross amount is used. • 50% cost:
If the applicant states they have at least $1 in costs, they can receive the 50 percent deduction. This does not need to be verified. Most businesses have at least $1 in costs. • Total allowable costs: