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Child Care Subsidy Policy October 1, 2024 4 on a residential basis for children who are in the legal custody of the State of West Virginia. Kinship/Relative parent(s) provide caretaker services to a child in the legal custody of the State of West Virginia and are related to the child by blood or marriage, including cousins and in-laws, or by a person(s) recognized by the child as a relative. West Virginia child welfare services or certified placement agency will assess the eligibility of the home at the time. 1.1.23. Income Eligibility: A method of determining eligibility that is based on establishing that the monthly gross income of the applicant/recipient’s family is no more than the maximum income level allowable for the service requested or delivered. 1.1.24. Informal Family Child Care: An informal family child care home provides care for three (3) or fewer children. At least one (1) child is not related to the provider. Informal child care providers are exempt from regulatory requirements but may volunteer to register to receive federal child care or food program funding. 1.1.25. In-Home Care: In-home child care is provided by specific relatives, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and siblings of legal age, for a child or children in the child’s own home.. 1.1.26. In Loco Parentis: A Latin term meaning, “In place of the parent” and refers to an individual who assumes parental status and responsibilities for a minor, without formally adopting the minor. 1.1.27. Livelihood: A means of support or survival in which an individual engages to meet daily living expenses. 1.1.28. Minimum Wage: The prevailing minimum wage mandated by state law in the state of West Virginia. In-home child-care provider reimbursements must equal West Virginia’s minimum wage requirement unless special exceptions are granted. Self-employed individuals must meet West Virginia minimum wage requirements to be eligible for child care assistance. 1.1.29. Monthly Gross Income: Monthly gross income is the total amount of money, prior to deductions, received or earned monthly by members of a family. 1.1.30. Non-Traditional Work Hours: Non-traditional work hours are defined as: 1.1.30.1. Approved care for at least four (4) hours provided either before 6:00 am or after 7:00 pm Monday through Friday.