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610 Chapter 3:Processes and procedures • Section 1: Acting on reported changes (07/2026) • If the caretaker reapplies during the AWS period but is not yet employed, the application will be denied. The AWS period remains intact; a closure notice will be sent to the caretaker if the AWS is not ended by the last AWS month. • Applications denied due to work search can be used if employment is reported by the AWS date. When a job loss or temporary break in work is reported late • When the job loss or temporary break in work is not reported within 10 days:
0DHSI0HA will enter the reason for the job loss and good cause selection into ONE.
If the job loss is permanent, AWS is allowed for any remaining months, up to 3 months past the certification end date. • If the change in employment status is due to a temporary break in work, with a return to work date, AWS is granted based on the return date. • The copay will not be waived for current or previous months when job loss is not reported within 10 days. Two-Caretaker families and Authorized Work Search (AWS) coding AWS may be authorized for one- and two-caretaker families. For two-caretakers households, both caretakers can receive AWS at the same time through the remainder of the certification period. When an AWS caretaker becomes employed or returns to work, child care work hours are not adjusted unless the caretaker requests additional hours. If additional hours are requested: • For Standard ERDC: verification of the caretaker’s work schedule is required to determine new overlapping hours.
If the other caretaker’s work schedule has changed, updated schedules must be provided for both
caretakers.
If there are more overlapping hours, the case will be updated with a higher number of child care hours.
If there are fewer overlapping hours, the hours will not be reduced, as ERDC does not decrease child care hours during the certification period. • For Categorical ERDC and Expanded Child Welfare (EXP-CW): Overlapping hours are not required, and additional hours can be authorized without verification. AWS automated notices Two system generated notices will be sent to the caretaker. A notice is sent when AWS is added to the case explaining the copay waiver period. REF This does not apply to the REF program. MSP This does not apply to MSP.