To be eligible for a child care payment, the TANF budget group must include an individual participating in an approved work-related activity and a TANF dependent child or a child who would qualify as a TANF dependent child except for receipt of SSI or Foster Care benefits.
NOTE: In order to receive child care allowances, the parent/caretaker must be participating in an allowable employment and training activity. It is important for the Project Enrollment Activity Screen to reflect accurate and current information.
55 Pa. Code § 168.17(1) 55 Pa. Code § 168.17(2) 55 Pa. Code § 168.18(a)
Example 1: TANF - ES parent/caretaker and EC child would be potentially eligible for child care allowances.
Example 2: TANF - ES parent/caretaker with a C/EC and C2/EC - both children would be potentially eligible for child care allowances.
Example 3: TANF - NA or NS parent/caretaker with an EC child would be ineligible for child care allowances.
Example 4: SSI - J/ES parent/caretaker with an EC child would be ineligible for child care allowances.
Example 5: SSI - C/ES parent/caretaker and J/EC child would be eligible for child care allowances.
Example 6: E-TANF - ES parent/caretaker enrolled in an appropriate track and EC child would be eligible for child care allowances.
Example 7: Disqualified Individuals – DF parent/caretaker with an EC child would be ineligible for child care allowances.
Employed TANF recipients are eligible for child care allowances beginning with the first day of employment.
To maintain eligibility for child care allowances, the budget group participating in a paid work-related activity must pay the required co-payment determined by the CCIS agency.
NOTE: Vocation-Specific Work Experience (VWE) is considered the same as Paid Work Experience (PWE) and counts towards the TANF grant. Gross monthly countable income, including VWE is used to calculate the child care co-payment.
TANF applicants who must complete a job search as part of eligibility requirements are not eligible for child care allowances as they are not yet TANF recipients (See Chapter 135: Employment and Training Requirements).
NOTE: While TANF applicants are required to participate in an applicant job search as a condition of eligibility for cash benefits, the CAO must consider granting good cause for not completing the job search due to lack of child care. Applicants can meet the requirement of applying for three jobs in a number of different ways that may not require that they travel or require child care for their children, but if these are not practical, the parent must be granted good cause from the applicant job search requirement.
Applicants may scan the classifieds, make phone calls to inquire if companies are hiring, and send resumes and applications by mail. Those with access to the internet may apply for jobs online. They should be encouraged to register with Job Gateway at www.JobGateWay.state.pa.us to conduct their job searches. Online job searches can also be conducted at the CAO, the CareerLink or the public library.
The CAO will inform applicants and recipients of the availability of child care allowances at application, renewal and whenever the Agreement of Mutual Responsibility (AMR) is developed or revised and reflects a need for child care. The CAO will inform the individual that:
The parent/caretaker must need child care in order to participate in a CAO-approved work-related activity.
The child(ren) for whom subsidized child care is requested must be under 13 years of age or 13 years of age or older but under 19 years of age and not physically or mentally capable of caring for himself as verified by a physician or licensed psychologist.
55 Pa. Code § 168.17(2)(i) and (ii)
The child(ren) for whom subsidized child care is requested must meet immunization requirements unless the parent/caretaker objects to immunizations based on religious grounds or the child’s medical condition contraindicates immunizations as verified by a physician.
55 Pa. Code § 168.17(3)(i) and (ii)
The family/budget group must participate in a face-to-face interview with the CCIS agency within 30 days from the date the parent/caretaker requested care. If care is not secured within 30 days, the parent/caretaker should contact the CCIS agency.
The family/budget group must select a provider that is participating in the subsidized child care program and that has a signed Provider Agreement with the CCIS agency.
Any delinquent co-payments must be satisfied prior to enrollment with a provider.The CAO will promptly refer eligible child care requests to CCIS and issue a potential eligibility notice which will allow CCIS to issue a child care payment based on required time frames for authorization of special allowances for supportive services.
The client has a right to appeal a child care eligibility decision made by the CAO.
The Department will provide child care allowance information to applicants and recipients either through automated notices or written letters.
55 Pa. Code § 168.101 55 Pa. Code § 133.4(a) 55 Pa. Code § 133.4(b)
The CCIS agency will send alerts to eCIS on a weekly basis to notify the CAO when child care payment stops or a child’s enrollment terminates.
See Appendix F for notice and alert text.
An eligible child must meet the following criteria:
A TANF dependent child or a child who would qualify as a TANF dependent child except for receipt of SSI or foster care benefits. See Chapter 105, Category;
Under 13 years of age;
13 years of age or older but under 19 years of age and not physically or mentally capable of caring for himself as verified by a physician or licensed psychologist;
NOTE: If documentation is available for a child 13 years of age or older but less than 19 years with a developmental age of less than 13 years as verified by a physician or licensed psychologist, enter this information into the case comments and on the eCIS Disability screen. This process will prevent unnecessary child care delays and allow payment at a higher rate through the CCIS agency.
Age-appropriately immunized unless the parent/caretaker objects to immunizations based on religious grounds or the child’s medical condition contraindicates immunizations as verified by a physician. (See Section 183.4):
If any child in the budget passes child care eligibility, then eCIS will transfer the case to the CCIS agency through the Pennsylvania’s Enterprise to Link Information for Children across Networks (PELICAN).
NOTE: In order to receive child care allowances, the parent/caretaker must be participating in an allowable employment and training activity. It is important to for the Project Enrollment Activity Screen to reflect accurate and current information.
The CAO will determine whether child care is needed to enable a budget group member to participate in an approved work-related activity and if the budget group is eligible for a child care allowance .
55 Pa. Code § 168.1 55 Pa. Code § 168.18
The CAO will inform recipients who are in need of child care about the following:
The availability of child care allowances through the CCIS agency to enable the parent/caretaker to participate in an approved work-related activity;
That the CCIS agency provides help in finding and selecting a child care provider, and referring the client when such help is needed;
55 Pa. Code § 168.1(b)(2) 55 Pa. Code § 168.1(g)
The requirement, as a condition of eligibility, to cooperate in providing necessary information and verification to establish eligibility for child care allowances ;
The client responsibility to pay the child care provider and pay any charges above the maximum allowance as determined by the CCIS agency;
The need to make alternate child care arrangements in advance for illness or emergencies;
That a Short-Term Child Care for TANF Families is available due to illness, emergencies or when the child care provider that normally provides care is closed; (See Section 183.24)
Time frames for notification of eligibility for child care payments; (See Section 183.21).
55 Pa. Code § 168.1(e) 55 Pa. Code § 165.45
Child care is not needed when a parent/caretaker who is not participating in an approved work-related activity is living in the home, unless one of the following exists:
The custodial parent is participating in a Department of Human Services or a Department of Education Pregnant and Parenting Youth Program.
The child is at risk because of suspected child abuse.
The parent/caretaker is physically or mentally incapable of providing child care, as verified by a physician or licensed psychologist;
NOTE: The CAO worker must document in the eCIS case narrative that child care is needed because one parent/caretaker has been verified to be physically or mentally unable to provide child care while the other parent/caretaker is participating in work or a work-related activity. The CAO must continue to record this information in the eCIS case comments at application, renewal and when an AMR is completed or updated.
The biological or adoptive parent, specified relative or legal guardian of the child is the owner/operator of a child care business where care is available for the child.
After the CAO has determined that child care is needed and the budget group is eligible, the CCIS agency determines enrollment and makes payment for child care. The CCIS agency can pay a child care allowance:
For the hours the parent/caretaker is participating in a CAO-approved work-related activity.
As needed for travel time to and from the work-related activity and the child care provider.
For up to 5 consecutive days of absence due to illness or vacation.
For up to 25 days of absence in a State Fiscal Year (July 1st of one year through June 30th of the following year). The parent/caretaker is responsible to pay to the provider the provider’s verified published daily rate for each day of absence starting with the 26th day of absence.
For up to 30 days, as appropriate, during a break in the CAO-approved work-related activity. The CCIS agency will not end or suspend child care during the 30-day break unless the CAO directs the CCIS agency to do so.
For sleep time (care provided for a child when the parent’s/caretaker’s work shift ends between the hours of 12 a.m. and 9 a.m. to allow the parent/caretaker time to sleep).
For documented study time, as approved by the CAO.
For the hours one parent/caretaker in a two-parent/caretaker family is participating in a CAO-approved work-related activity when the other parent has a disability. The parent/caretaker is physically or mentally incapable of providing child care, as verified by a physician or licensed psychologist.
Short-Term Child Care for TANF Families is available to qualified TANF families who are enrolled in the subsidized child care program and in the need of alternate care when the child’s normal provider is unavailable. Situations include, but are not limited to the following:
Scheduled school closings;
Sick days;
Weather-related closings.
TANF families that are child care eligible and not receiving child care services because the children are in school while the parent/caretaker is attending an employment and training activity or working may require child care on an intermittent basis as follows:
Drop-in Care - An occasional need for one or two days due to school holiday or teacher in-service days.
Extended School Breaks - Longer period of closing due, but not limited to holidays, spring breaks or strikes.
Emergency Care - Immediate and unplanned school closings (i.e. snow days) or sick care.
The CAO or contractor assists the parent in completing a Short-Term Care Referral Form when a parent receiving TANF expresses a possible need for short-term child care. The completed form is faxed to the CCIS agency. TANF child care enrollment regulations and requirement rules apply for short term care, as follows:
An individual is required to complete a face-to-face or telephone interview.
Relative/neighbor child care providers must complete the required forms and establish provider agreements.
Individuals may be responsible for a co-payment to receive this care.
NOTE: Short-Term Child Care is not available to individuals receiving child care under former TANF, individuals in employment retention with a contractor, SSI or SNAP-only families.
To qualify for a child care allowance, the minor parent who has care and control of his/her child and is participating in an approved educational program must reside in the home of the parent of the minor parent or caretaker unless otherwise exempt from the minor parent rule as discussed in Section 110.6. The minor parent must:
Be a member of the TANF budget group.
Volunteer for RESET.
Be participating in an educational program through ETP.
Have an approved Agreement of Mutual Responsibility (AMR) stating the minor parent will continue to attend and complete high school.
Have a separate AMR completed and signed by the adult who is the TANF payment name.
The AMR must also address the need for child care and the location of the child care provider for the minor parent’s child during school attendance.
See Appendix A for examples of households that include a minor parent.
Reissued November 24, 2014 replacing November 22, 2013