Policy Effective: April 1, 2026

Homeless Families may be single or two parent families. Often they require child care for a short period, once they become homeless, which does not meet the definition of need for child care listed in policy 330-2 . We may provide Child Care assistance to help these families when the family meets the following criteria:

Referral by a recognized homeless agency. The family must present a referral for Child Care assistance from an agency known by the local office to be an agency that works with homeless families, including shelters for abused women and children verifying that the family needs child care to resolve an emergency crisis. This referral will serve as proof of their homeless state. Local offices will define recognized homeless agencies in their area.

A family does not need to be residing in a homeless shelter to qualify for homeless services.

The family must meet all other relationship, and income criteria for Employment Support Child Care (ESCC).

Homeless families at determination with income at or less than 100% of the poverty level are not subject to the co-payment requirement. See policy 620-3 for more information on the co-payment.

Qualifying families may use Child Care assistance for activities including, but not limited to, employment, job search, training, shelter search or working through a crisis.

If the homeless family is eligible to receive another type of Child Care assistance, they will be approved for that type of Child Care assistance rather than Child Care for Homeless Customers.

Child Care for homeless households may be continued through the end of the 12-month certification period at the same level or higher for parents experiencing allowable temporary changes in their employment or education activities. Policy 210-10 .

Homeless families are exempt from the minimum work requirement 330-2.

If "homelessness" is indicated on the application, program requirements must be considered before denial can be processed. See procedure Homeless Child Care