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1. General Information

1.1 Purpose of this Manual The Child Care Assistance (CCA) Policy Manual provides internal guidance for use by Economic Assistance Benefits Specialist (EABS) in determining and reviewing CCA eligibility.

This manual is broadly written within the limits imposed by federal and state statutes and regulations; therefore, it is not exhaustive of law. This manual is not intended to, does not, and may not be relied upon to create any rights enforceable by law by any party in any civil, criminal, or administrative action.

While all information in this document is believed to be correct at the time of publishing, this document is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal advice. Sections within this manual must not be read alone but must be read in conjunction with other sections as referred. Sections may not stand alone.

Every attempt has been made to accurately represent the policies. If there is a conflict between the information presented in this manual and the information contained in the State Plan, State rule or statute, or Federal laws and regulations, then the State plan, State rule and statue, and Federal laws and regulations are the controlling documents.

The date of publishing is not the effective date of the policy. If there is a discrepancy between the policy effective date and legal mandates and regulatory requirements, the requirements of law and regulation shall govern.

The policies do not constitute authorization or guarantee of eligibility.

1.2 Maintenance of This Manual The information contained in this manual is periodically updated to comply with any changes in the law or procedure. The South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS) is not responsible for ensuring that copies of the manual disseminated outside DSS are updated.

This manual will be revised and updated as regulations and policies change. Updates are made by the Division of Economic Assistance CCA Program Staff. When policy and procedure revisions are made to the manual, a memo will be distributed.

1.3 Nondiscrimination It is required that applications for program benefits and services are made available to everyone and that program benefits are granted to all who meet eligibility standards. DSS staff, programs and policies must not discriminate against customers or applicants for services because of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, political beliefs or disability. DSS must also provide fair and equal access to all of its programs and services for people with disabilities; this includes both physical access to buildings and access to programs and services.

It is a violation of the DSS Nondiscrimination Policy when inequitable practices, based on the abovementioned factors, occur in the delivery of services. Some of these practices are: • Denying services or benefits; • Failing to provide appropriate interpreter services; • Limiting access to services because of inaccessible facilities; Failing to make reasonable accommodations to allow full participation of people with disabilities in all programs, activities, and services.