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16. 5.13 Updated retention to 5 years plus current year 17. 5.13.2 Updated retention to 5 years plus current year 18. 6.10 Situational Changes Within the Eligibility Period – clarified language 19. 6.13.1 Removed a provider has a right to stop serving a client or child if either is disruptive to the program or does not comply with the provider’s established policies. (per anti-expulsion regs) 20. Appendix 1 – Replaced with new income guidelines. 21. Appendix 2 – Replaced with new fee scale. 22. Appendix 3 – Updated dates

Vol 036-Revisions 07/22/2024

1. Updated volume number and revision date. 2. Updated email address for policy related questions from SC Policy 3. **Strong Start – 85% Child Care was effective 10/01/2023. This category is the only category with a co-pay at this time. Note: There was a system glitch for the dates of 10/01/2023- 11/07/2023 where co-pays were not being assessed by the system. Our IT staff resolved this issue on 11/07/2023. 4. Added effective 06/18/2024, all eligibility for all child care categories will be based on 85% State Median Income 5. 1.8 Accessing the Child Care Scholarship Program - Added Interested families may also apply through the Child Care Scholarship Program Benefits Portal. 6. 2.1.3 Citizenship/Alien Status changed to Citizenship/ Qualified Non-Citizen. Language was condensed non-citizen groups and acceptable forms of verification added. 7. 2.1.10 Graduated Phase Out - The Child Care Scholarship Program sets the initial eligibility threshold at 85% of SMI and therefore not required to provide a graduated phase out. 8. 2.1.11 Child Support – Language updated. Child Support Written verification of child support is not required. However, the applicant should disclose all applicable sources of income. The amount is listed on the application will be used to calculate the child support amount. If the applicant indicates that they are not receiving the child support on a regular basis, you may not count the CS income. Eligibility workers will use only what is listed on the application for counting child support. Since the TANF/SNAP database is not always current, we will not include any child support listed in an open case if it is not included on the application submitted by the client. Note: Child support is calculated the same way as gross income. If paid weekly, multiply the amount by 4.33, bi-weekly by 2.16, etc. 9. All references to CHIP have been replaced with TANF/SNAP. 10. 2.1.15 Income Inclusions – Added Armed forces pay, BASE pay and any Special Duty Pay