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Child Care Scholarship Policy Manual 54

NOTE: The IRS has started using tax transcripts in order to protect PII. If only the tax transcripts are available and it clearly identifies the profit loss for the applicant, then we may accept the tax transcripts as verification. NOTE: Exceptions to these acceptable forms of documentation may be made on a case-by-case bases by the Program Manager or Program Director. Wage forms are not accepted as proof of employment.

2.2.3 VERIFICATION OF AN ABSENT PARENT

If an applicant is married but separated during the time of the application, verification will be required in order to prove separation. Legal papers verifying marital separation, or a maintenance order is preferred. However, in the event that court documentation is not available, the applicant may submit proof of separate residences via a lease agreement, utility bill (light, gas, water, cable, cell phone bill), etc.

For applicants with newborn babies, under 10 months of age, that do not have the other parent listed on the application, proof of separate residences will be requested. Lease agreements, utility bills (light, gas, water, cable, cell phone bill), etc will be used for verifying separate addresses for those applicants who are not married but have recent child in common and indicate they are not in the same home. The burden of proof is on the client to provide the necessary information for verification of the absent parent. If the parent is unable to provide proof of separate residences, the application will be denied.

The following are some common scenarios, in addition to the above situations, and the acceptable documentation:

Scenario Acceptable Documentation Absent parent is incarcerated Incarceration documents or mug shot proving current incarceration Absent parent is deceased Copy of death certificate or obituary Child’s father is unknown Birth certificate showing no father named

Child care staff should attempt to obtain proof of a different address for the absent parent. If staff cannot obtain proof of separate addresses via the methods indicated above, the parent may be sent an Absent Parent form. The Absent Parent form allows the parent to sign a declaratory statement, under the penalty of perjury, to document the status of the absent parent. The Absent Parent form should always be the last resort to obtain information about the absent parent and should not be sent until all other options have been exhausted.