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Child Care Scholarship Policy Manual 105

Chapter 3 APPLICATION PROCESS 3.1 INTAKE AND APPLICATION Since the passage of the South Carolina Family Independence (FI) Act, the majority of child care applications come through the county offices of the South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS) which is the focal point for TANF/Welfare Reform. However, when funds are available for other non-welfare low-income clients, an individual may apply for services through the Child Care Scholarship Benefit’s portal, through specific categories of care or other entities that may be identified by SCDSS.

3.2 CHILD CARE APPLICATION The Child Care Scholarship Program Application, DSS Form 3791 and/or Child Care Scholarship Program Benefit’s portal is the primary document used for determining eligibility. Other information such as pay stubs, tax forms, agency databases (including the TANF/SNAP database CAPSS, documentation in SCOSA, On-base etc.) may be used to determine eligibility but must be used in conjunction with the application. Every effort must be made to ensure that child care eligibility is processed into the Child Care Scholarship Program database as soon as verification is received. Processing time should be within 3-5 working days of the completed information being received. Processing times may be longer depending on the volume of work. If the applicant meets eligibility criteria for funding under which they are applying, a determination is made that the family is eligible. When the family is eligible, all children under age 13 within the family are eligible. However, all children may not need child care services, or they may not meet the age requirements for funding sources. Additionally, a family may meet all eligibility requirements, but it does not ensure a family will receive child care under the Child Care Scholarship Program as there may be limited funding.