The applicant or recipient is required to provide the necessary verification to establish eligibility for a child care allowance. Information that has already been verified in the case record need not be verified again unless the information is subject to change.
Before referring the case to the ELRC as eligible for a child care allowance, the CAO will verify:
Whether the child care is necessary to participate in an approved work-related activity;
NOTE: Work Study is a paid work-related activity, and is subject to a co-payment.
The begin date of child care service.
The following must also be verified, if applicable:
Incapacity of a Child Age 13 or Older but Under Age 19 – The client must provide a written statement from a physician or licensed psychologist that the child is physically or mentally unable to care for himself.
Developmental Disability of a Child Under Age 19 – The client must provide a written statement from a physician or licensed psychologist that the child has a developmental age of under age 13.
Age-Appropriate Immunizations – The client must sign the AMR, at every application and reapplication, self-certifying that the child has age-appropriate immunizations, or indicating the child is not immunized due to religious or medical grounds.
Disability of a Parent/Caretaker – The client must provide a written statement from a physician or licensed psychologist which verifies that a parent/caretaker not participating in a work-related activity has a physical or mental disability that prevents her from caring for the child. (Refer to Section 183.24 for additional information for a two parent/caretaker household.)
When the parent/caretaker provides verification to the CAO that indicates a change in eligibility, the CAO will notify the client with appropriate notice. See Section 183.22.
eCIS transmits updates overnight to PELICAN keeping the ELRC informed of changes and child care eligibility. It is vital that CAOs update eCIS to accurately reflect the activities supported by child care allowances. Household changes that affect eligibility for child care must be entered in eCIS. The ELRC uses this information to ensure that child care allowances are paid correctly.
Eligibility reporting requirements and time frames for reporting changes apply to child care allowances. See Chapter 170, Reporting Changes and Chapter 171, Semiannual Reporting.
As the eligibility agent, the CAO will maintain subsidized child care eligibility documentation for a period of at least 6 years.
Suspected child abuse
The CAO will accept the statement of the client, the caseworker or any other professional. CAOs are not mandatory reporters under 23 Pa. C.S. § 6311(a). The CAO does not fit any required category of a mandated reporter.
Reissued November 6, 2020, replacing November 24, 2014