Page 52

45

at the time of renewal. This allows the applicant to receive pay increases or increased work hours during the eligibility period without incurring a higher co-payment or losing eligibility.

Only changes that will positively impact the case are acted on during the eligibility period. Copayments are not increased from what is determined at eligibility determination, and level of care will not decrease.

13.4.1 Adding Siblings and Certification Realignment When a new sibling is added to an existing CCA case the certificate of the existing children will be extended to align with the 13-month certification of the newly added sibling. In BEES when the new sibling is added as a member of the household and their CCA benefit is authorized all previously existing certifications will be reassessed by the certification realignment batch and systematically extended to align with the newly added sibling’s certification end date. This process ensures that each child receives their minimum certification and that families maintain a uniform renewal date.

13.5 CCA Graduated Phase Out A household that reapplies for child care assistance within one month immediately following the month of eligibility and whose income exceeds 209% Federal Poverty Level (FPL) but does not exceed 85% of the State Median Income (SMI) may receive up to an additional twelve months of child care assistance. • Phase Out is determined at the start of a certification upon the completion of an application or renewal. • An application/renewal received within 1 month of the end of a certification may result in phase out eligibility. • Families who receive a phase out eligibility period will be notified that they have received phase out and that they may be over income at the end of the phase out certificate period.

Cases receiving Advanced Special needs CCA will not receive a phase out since the income level in these cases already aligns with 85% SMI.

13.6 CCA Loss of Eligibility There are situations in which the recipient may lose eligibility when program requirements are no longer being met. Those reasons are:

• The household’s gross monthly household income exceeds 85% of State Median Income. • The primary applicant and/or primary partner has experienced a cessation work/school lasting longer than the 90-day job search period. • The household has moved out of the state of South Dakota. • Child care is no longer needed and the household requests the case be closed. • It is discovered and substantiated that the applicant reported fraudulent information on his/her application. • The applicant is found guilty of an Intentional Program Violation (IPV). • The child care provider is no longer eligible to receive payment from DSS, and the applicant continues to use that provider after being notified of their ineligibility for payment. • It is discovered that the applicant is receiving assistance for child care from another program. • The applicant has failed to maintain an open case with the Office of Child Support Enforcement and does not have good cause.