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Child Care Scholarship Policy Manual 72

PROCESSING OF TANF/CO CHILD CARE CASES Due to TANF/CO cases not having a TANF CM in the DSS county offices, child care eligibility staff will be responsible for obtaining an Child Care Scholarship Program Application from the parent/caretaker relative. The following process will be followed: 1. Review the TANF/SNAP database to ensure that the child is receiving a TANF benefit in a Child-Only case (use the child’s SSN to inquire on a specific child). This review will serve as the child care referral. 2. If the child is receiving a TANF benefit and the parent/caretaker relative meets the specific TANF/CO eligibility criteria as outlined in TANF-Child Only (TANF/CO) (See Section 2.6.3), then the child care eligibility worker can mail, email, or fax the Child Care Scholarship Program Application to the parent/caretaker relative and request income verification or training verification if the parent/caretaker relative is on SSI, according to policy. An individual who meets qualifications will be eligible to receive 12 months of services and may re-apply for an additional 12 months as funding permits and as long as the child continues to receive TANF benefits. The application must be filed in the name of the parent/caretaker relative and entered into the Child Care Scholarship Program database using the FI/CO eligibility category. A parent/caretaker relative whose TANF/CO case closes due to income exceeding the limit is eligible to apply for transitional child care services.

2.5.4 TANF - CHILD ONLY – PROTECTIVE SERVICES (TANF/CO-PS) Caretaker/Relatives (aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc.) receiving a TANF benefit for a dependent child may be eligible for child care assistance. Child care may be provided for child(ren) who have experienced emotional, physical, or other trauma. • Child must be a TANF recipient. • The family will receive 12 months (52 weeks) of child care. T h e f amily can re-apply for services at the end of the twelve months if child remains eligible and funding is available. • The parent/caretaker is the applicant, and all the information on the application relates to the family. • Parent/caretaker relative must be employed at least part-time (15 –24 hours) at the time of application and remain employed to continue receiving services. Employment may be in conjunction with training or