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4. Non-Financial Eligibility Requirements

4.1 Applicant and Child Identity Applicant and child identity are self-declared at the time of initial application and verified through access to other Department of Social Services programs such as SNAP, TANF, Medicaid and the Division of Child Support. If no information is available, the applicant is required to provide additional verifications such as a birth certificate, Social Security card, driver’s license or identification card. Copies of immigration documents for all resident alien children are required.

4.2 Applicant Relationship to Child Applicant’s relationship to the child is self-attested at the time of initial application and if questioned is verified through access to other Department of Social Services programs such as SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, and the Division of Child Support. If no information is available or the information is questionable, the applicant is required to provide additional verifications such as a birth certificate or court document.

For TANF recipients, relationship of the head of household to the child is verified during the TANF intake process and it is not necessary for the benefits specialist to reverify this information.

4.3 Age of Child Applicants must have a child or children that meet the following requirements: • The child is under age 13 o Children who turn 13 during the eligibility period are allowed care through the end of their current eligibility period or until they turn 14, whichever occurs first. • The child is under age 18 and physically or mentally incapable of self-care; • This child is under age 19, if enrolled in school and expected to graduate, and is physically or mentally incapable of self-care; or • The child is under age 18, or under age 19 if enrolled in school and expected to graduate and is under court supervision.

If the child is over age 13 and falls within the categories mentioned above, documentation must be provided by the applicant prior to granting assistance. The documentation must be from a medical professional and must specify the child’s physical or mental limitations. For children under court supervision, copies of court documents will be required by the department and used as verification.

Once a child turns 13 and there is no documentation of physical or mental limitations, they will no longer be eligible for child care at their next renewal.

4.4 State Residency Applicants and recipients must be residents of the state of South Dakota to be eligible for Child Care Assistance. Children in the custody of South Dakota Child Protective Services are automatically considered residents for CCA.

4.4.1 Residency Verification Self-attestation is accepted for this requirement, unless records through DSS programs or electronic data sources indicate a discrepancy in information provided by or on behalf of the individual. If there is a discrepancy, always attempt to verify residency through electronic matches or documents already provided before requesting the individual provide additional documentation.