Section 2060.230 Child Care Eligibility

Section 50

TITLE 23: EDUCATION AND CULTURAL RESOURCES

SUBTITLE A: EDUCATION

CHAPTER XI: DEPARTMENT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD

PART 2060 CHILD CARE

SECTION 2060.230 CHILD CARE ELIGIBILITY

Section 2060.230  Child Care

Eligibility

a)         To the extent resources permit, it is the intent of the

Department to provide child care services to all applicants that meet the

eligibility requirements set forth in this Section.  If it is necessary to

limit participation to stay within the amounts appropriated or resources

available to the Department for child care services, participation will be

limited to the priority service groups specified in subsection (c)(12) and that

limitation in participation shall remain until such time as sufficient resources

are available to serve all eligible applicants.

b)         To be

eligible for child care services, a child shall at the time of eligibility

determination or redetermination:

1)         be

under 13 years of age (if a child turns 13 years old during the eligibility

period, that child shall remain eligible for CCAP for the remainder of the

eligibility period); or

2)         be under age 19 and under court supervision or have physical,

developmental, or intellectual disabilities as documented by a statement from a

local health provider or other health professional.

c)         Parents and other relatives eligible to receive child care

services include:

1)         Clients who receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

(TANF) under Article IV of the Public Aid Code participating in work and/or

training‑related activities as specified in their Responsibility and

Service Plan (RSP) (see 89 Ill. Adm. Code 112.74) as approved by the Department

of Human Service's TANF case worker.

2)         Subject to appropriation, parents or other relatives who

request a 3-month period to establish an eligible employment or education

activity (allowed once every 12 months)

articipating in work and/or

training‑related activities as specified in their Responsibility and

Service Plan (RSP) (see 89 Ill. Adm. Code 112.74) as approved by the Department

of Human Service's TANF case worker.

2)         Subject to appropriation, parents or other relatives who

request a 3-month period to establish an eligible employment or education

activity (allowed once every 12 months).

3)         Parenting youth in care, as defined in Section 4d of the

Children and Family Services Act [20 ILCS 505], who are parents, regardless of

income or whether they are working or participating in Department-approved

employment or education or training programs.  Any family that receives child

care assistance in accordance with this subsection (c)(3) shall receive one additional

12-month child care eligibility period after the parenting youth in care's case

with the Department of Children and Family Services is closed, regardless of

income or whether the parenting youth in care is working or participating in

Department-approved employment or education or training programs.

4)         Families receiving Extended Family Support Program services

from the Department of Children and Family Services, regardless of income or

whether they are working or participating in Department-approved employment or

education or training programs.

5)         Working families, including teen parents enrolled full-time in

elementary or high school or high school equivalency classes to obtain a high

school diploma or its equivalent, whose monthly incomes do not exceed the

following amounts by family size at the time of initial program application:

Family

Size

Gross Monthly Base Income

2

$3,966

3

$4,997

4

$6,028

5

$7,059

6

$8,091

7

$9,122

8

$10,153

9

$11,184

10

$12,216

The above

income guidelines will be indexed annually so that the thresholds are no less

than 185% of the most current Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for each family size

hly incomes do not exceed the

following amounts by family size at the time of initial program application:

Family

Size

Gross Monthly Base Income

2

$3,966

3

$4,997

4

$6,028

5

$7,059

6

$8,091

7

$9,122

8

$10,153

9

$11,184

10

$12,216

The above

income guidelines will be indexed annually so that the thresholds are no less

than 185% of the most current Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for each family size.

6)         At

the end of each eligibility period, families must fall into the following income

guidelines to remain eligible for another 12-month eligibility period:

Family Size

Gross

Monthly Base Income

2

$4,487

3

$6,107

4

$7,368

5

$8,628

6

$9,889

7

$11,149

8

$11,939

9

$12,198

10

$12,458

These income guidelines will be

indexed annually so that the thresholds are no less than 185% of the most

current FPL for each family size.

7)         Any

time a family's countable income exceeds 85% of the State Median Income (SMI),

the case will be canceled 10 calendar days after the date the termination

notice was sent to the family and providers.

Family Size

Gross

Monthly Base Income

2

$5,883

3

$7,267

4

$8,651

5

$10,036

6

$11,420

7

$11,679

8

$11,939

9

$12,198

10

$12,458

These income guidelines will be

indexed annually so that the thresholds are no less and no more than 85% of the

most current SMI level for each family size.

8)         If

the countable income for a family is between 275% FPL and 85% SMI at the end of

an eligibility period, and all other eligibility factors are met, the family

will be eligible for a 90-day graduated phase-out period that begins the first

day of the new eligibility period.  If the family requests child care

assistance at any time after the graduated phase-out period, the request must

be treated as a new application and the family must have family income below 225%

of FPL to qualify

bility period, and all other eligibility factors are met, the family

will be eligible for a 90-day graduated phase-out period that begins the first

day of the new eligibility period.  If the family requests child care

assistance at any time after the graduated phase-out period, the request must

be treated as a new application and the family must have family income below 225%

of FPL to qualify.

9)         Families

who do not receive TANF and need child care services in order to attend school

or training (up to and including the acquisition of the first Bachelor's

Degree), including web-based courses or correspondence learning from an

accredited university, whose monthly income does not exceed the monthly income

ceilings in subsection (c)(2).  Clients can be approved for education/training

activities that will lead to multiple certificates within a designated career

path (e.g., from Certified Nursing Assistant to Licensed Practical Nurse) or

Associate Degrees, but only the first Bachelor's Degree.  Clients may also be

approved for additional vocational certificate programs if they are beginning a

new career path in a new field or if classes are required to remain certified

in their current employment.  Child care services approved under this Part must

be reasonably related to the education or training activity, including class

hours and research, study, laboratory, library and transportation time, and

unpaid educationally required work activities such as student teaching, an

internship, a clinical, a practicum or an apprenticeship.  Teen parents

enrolled full-time in elementary or high school or high school equivalency

classes will be eligible for full-time, full-year child care, including

summers, when using a licensed child care provider, up to and including a

three-month period after graduation, in order to secure employment or to prepare

for higher education

internship, a clinical, a practicum or an apprenticeship.  Teen parents

enrolled full-time in elementary or high school or high school equivalency

classes will be eligible for full-time, full-year child care, including

summers, when using a licensed child care provider, up to and including a

three-month period after graduation, in order to secure employment or to prepare

for higher education.  If a parent is claimed as a dependent by another person

for federal income tax purposes, that parent is only eligible if his or her

income, when added to the income of the other person, does not exceed the

monthly income ceiling in subsection (c)(2) for that family size.  All

education programs under this Part must be administered by an educational

institution accredited under requirements of State law, including, but not

limited to, the Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding, and Nail

Technology Act of 1985 [225 ILCS 410], the Real Estate Act of 2000 [225 ILCS 454],

the Public Community College Act [110 ILCS 805], the University of Illinois Act

[110 ILCS 305], the Chicago State University Law [110 ILCS 660], the Eastern

Illinois University Law [110 ILCS 665], the Governors State University Law [110

ILCS 670], the Illinois State University Law [110 ILCS 675], the Northeastern

Illinois University Law [110 ILCS 680], the Northern Illinois University Law

[110 ILCS 685], the Western Illinois University Law [110 ILCS 690], or the Department

of Financial and Professional Regulation.  Social service agencies that provide

recognized English as a Second Language (ESL) and other adult education courses

and programs are not required to hold or maintain any separate type of

accreditation, as long as the program they offer is supported by an accredited

institution

5], the Western Illinois University Law [110 ILCS 690], or the Department

of Financial and Professional Regulation.  Social service agencies that provide

recognized English as a Second Language (ESL) and other adult education courses

and programs are not required to hold or maintain any separate type of

accreditation, as long as the program they offer is supported by an accredited

institution.

A)        Below

Post-Secondary Education Eligibility and Participation Requirements

This

category of education includes literacy and other adult basic education,

English as a Second Language, and high school equivalency examination

preparation programs.  Clients/applicants who have already earned a vocational

certificate are still eligible for below post-secondary education activities if

they have not already earned a high school diploma or high school equivalency

certificate.

i)         There

is no work requirement for the first 24 non-consecutive months the client

participates.  Families eligible to receive child care services while they

attend an education or training program under this Section must not already

possess a Bachelor's, Master's or Doctorate Degree.

ii)        From

the 25

th

month on, the client must work at least 20 hours per week.

Child care provided to a teen parent to obtain a high school diploma or its

equivalent does not count against this 24-month limit.  Individuals enrolled in

below post-secondary education must maintain a "C" average if this

measurement is used by the institution to determine satisfactory progress.  The

client will be allowed one eligibility period below a "C" average to

bring the grades up to a "C" average.  When grades are not used,

progress will be determined by the written policy of the institution to

establish a comparable grade level upon completion of the academic term.  The

determination of satisfactory progress must be reported upon completion of each

eligibility period

gress.  The

client will be allowed one eligibility period below a "C" average to

bring the grades up to a "C" average.  When grades are not used,

progress will be determined by the written policy of the institution to

establish a comparable grade level upon completion of the academic term.  The

determination of satisfactory progress must be reported upon completion of each

eligibility period.

B)        Vocational Education

Eligibility and Participation Requirements

Programs in this category of

education may be offered by a public community college, public or private

university, or private business/technical school.

i)         The

program usually results in the receipt of a Certificate of Achievement or

Completion and/or prepares the client for a specific job or to obtain a license

required by some occupations.  Families eligible to receive child care services

while they attend an education or training program under this Section must not

already possess a Bachelor's, Master's or Doctorate Degree.  Clients/applicants

may be approved for multiple vocational certificate programs if they are within

a designated career path (e.g., from Certified Nursing Assistant to Licensed

Practical Nurse) or are beginning a new career path in a new field, or if

classes are required to remain certified in their current employment.

ii)        There

is no work requirement for the first 24 non-consecutive months the client

participates.  From the 25

th

month on, the client must work at least

20 hours per week.  Individuals enrolled in vocational education must maintain

a "C" average if this measurement is used by the institution to

determine satisfactory progress.  The client will be allowed one eligibility period

below a "C" average to bring the grades up to a "C"

average.  When grades are not used, progress will be determined by the written

policy of the institution to establish a comparable grade level upon completion

of the academic term

must maintain

a "C" average if this measurement is used by the institution to

determine satisfactory progress.  The client will be allowed one eligibility period

below a "C" average to bring the grades up to a "C"

average.  When grades are not used, progress will be determined by the written

policy of the institution to establish a comparable grade level upon completion

of the academic term.  The determination of satisfactory progress must be

reported upon completion of each eligibility period.

C)        Post-Secondary

Education

i)         This

category of education includes all undergraduate college level courses that could

result in an Associate or the client's first Bachelor's Degree.  Families

eligible to receive child care services while they attend an education or

training program under this Section must:

•           be

enrolled in a program accredited under requirements of State law as stated in

subsection (c)(3).

•           not

already have a Bachelor's, Master's or Doctorate Degree, if requesting child

care to earn an Associate Degree.  Child care will not be approved for

attainment of a second Associate Degree.

•           not

be in an, or have completed an, advanced degree program (beyond a Bachelor's

Degree).  Child care will not be approved for education beyond the attainment

of a Bachelor's Degree.

ii)        There

is no work requirement for the first 48 non-consecutive months the client

participates.  From the 49

th

month on, the client must work at least

20 hours per week.  Clients who do not work and who need child care to attend

college must maintain a 2.5 grade point average (GPA) (on a 4.0 scale) if this

measurement is used by the institution to determine satisfactory progress.  Clients

who work 20 hours or more per week in paid employment while they attend college

must maintain a 2.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale).  In the absence of a GPA,

satisfactory progress will be determined by the written policy of the

institution

d

college must maintain a 2.5 grade point average (GPA) (on a 4.0 scale) if this

measurement is used by the institution to determine satisfactory progress.  Clients

who work 20 hours or more per week in paid employment while they attend college

must maintain a 2.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale).  In the absence of a GPA,

satisfactory progress will be determined by the written policy of the

institution.  The determination of satisfactory progress, including test/retest

results or GPA, must be reported upon completion of each eligibility period.

If the client's GPA falls below 2.5 or 2.0 for those students who work or at

any time the client does not maintain satisfactory progress, the client may

continue to go to school for another eligibility period.  If the GPA is below

2.5 or 2.0 two eligibility periods in a row, the client will be ineligible for

child care until his or her GPA is at or above 2.5 or 2.0.

D)        Study Time

Child care

services may be granted for up to one hour of study time per week for each classroom

hour or course credit.  When possible, study periods should be arranged around

regularly scheduled classes in order to provide a consistent and uninterrupted

routine for children in care.  Study time granted to add an extra day of care must

be approved first by the Department's Bureau of Child Care and Development

Policy Unit.

10)       Relatives (other than parents) who receive child-only TANF

benefits as a Representative Payee for children in need of care while they

work.

11)       Families

with active CCAP cases in which a parent in the household is called into active

military duty

me granted to add an extra day of care must

be approved first by the Department's Bureau of Child Care and Development

Policy Unit.

10)       Relatives (other than parents) who receive child-only TANF

benefits as a Representative Payee for children in need of care while they

work.

11)       Families

with active CCAP cases in which a parent in the household is called into active

military duty.

12)       In the

event the Department must limit participation due to insufficient

appropriations or available resources, applicants included in the priority

service groups are:

A)        Recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families as

described in subsection (c)(1);

B)        Teen parents enrolled full-time in elementary school, high

school or high school equivalency classes to obtain a high school degree or its

equivalent;

C)        Families engaged in an eligible employment and/or educational

activity with a special needs child and family income that does not exceed 185%

of FPL for their family size;

D)        Working families whose monthly incomes do not exceed 185% of

the most current FPL for their family size;

E)        Families that are not recipients of TANF whose monthly incomes

do not exceed 185% of the most current FPL for their family size that need

child care assistance to participate in education and training.

d)         All families must reside in Illinois.

e)         Payment for child care services to eligible parents may begin:

1)         if care was provided at the time and all eligibility factors

are met, on either:

A)        the date of the parent's signature on the Child Care Assistance

Program (CCAP) application (Form 444-3455); or

B)        one week (seven calendar days) prior to the stamped date of

receipt of the CCAP application (Form 444-3455) by the Department or its

agents, whichever is later; or

2)         on the date the child care provider actually begins providing

child care services, if the application is received in advance of services

being provided and all e

e

Program (CCAP) application (Form 444-3455); or

B)        one week (seven calendar days) prior to the stamped date of

receipt of the CCAP application (Form 444-3455) by the Department or its

agents, whichever is later; or

2)         on the date the child care provider actually begins providing

child care services, if the application is received in advance of services

being provided and all eligibility factors are met.

f)         Approval of payments will cease no less than 10 calendar days after

the date of the termination notice sent to the parent by the Department or its

agents following a determination of ineligibility.  Care will be terminated

immediately if it is determined the child is no longer enrolled with the

approved provider or the family requests that its case be terminated.