When processing childcare applications the need factor of the parent or caretaker must be established. Need factor is the reason a household is requesting child care. The following is a guide to help you determine if a need factor is being met.

Explanation of Allowable Child Care Need Factors

Employment / Self-employment

Employed and self-employed individuals are eligible to receive child care benefits as long as they are earning wages equal to the federal minimum wage. However, individuals that are newly self-employed (less than a year) who are not initially meeting the minimum wage requirement can be given until their next renewal to increase their earnings.

Sleep Time

Child care can be approved during the day for parent or caretaker to sleep, if his or her work hours fall between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. when the parent or caretaker has alternate child care arrangements during his or her work hours. The maximum time allowed is eight hours plus travel time to and from the child care facility. In two parent or caretaker households, sleep time is only approved when both are employed.

Training

Individuals enrolled in a program that leads to certification, licensure, or accreditation can be approved for child care. The training program must qualify to receive federal financial aid from the U.S. Department of Education. The training program must require actual classroom attendance with an instructor present to qualify.

**Prior to initial approval for child care and at renewal, the client must provide proof of enrollment, the days and hours the client will be attending, and when he or she is expected to complete the program.**

Education Program

Clients attending high school, a General Education Development (GED), Adult Basic Education (ABE) or English as a Second Language (ESL) can be approved for child care. Formal education programs that lead to associates and bachelor degrees are also considered approved need factors for child care. Child care can only be approved for the hours that the individual is attending class on-site or involved in activities that are required to keep a scholarship. Online education programs are only allowed when they are scheduled and instructor led. Self-paced online education programs are not allowable need factors.

**Students must provide proof of enrollment and school schedule.**

**Child care remains open during the eligibility period in between school semesters and during breaks.**

**Child care is not closed in the middle of an eligibility period when the client stops attending or completes their education program. Client must be meeting a need factor at renewal or no further care is approved.**

SNAP E&T

Child care may be approved for SNAP E&T program-related assigned activities. The SNAP E&T staff confirms with the contracted service provider that the activity is part of the SNAP E&T, assigned start date, and the scheduled days and hours of the activity.**(The SNAP E&T staff approves the child care for this need factor.)**

TANF

Child care can be approved for any TANF Work activity outlined on a client’s TANF Work / Personal Responsibility Agreement TW-2 form.

JOB SEARCH

Three months of subsidized child care is available to those who are searching for a job. Job search is only available for child care applicants not those completing a renewal. The client may only receive job search child care once every 12 months.

Explanation of Non-Allowable Need Factors

Post Graduate Education

Post-graduate education to attend a Master’s or doctoral program is not an allowable need factor for child care.

Online internet courses

Self-paces, online education programs are not allowable need factors. Online education programs are only allowed when they are scheduled and instructor led.

Volunteer Hours & Jury Duty

Volunteer hours, or jury duty is not an allowable need factor for child care. These types of activities may be approved only if TANF related and outlined on a client’s TW-2 form.

Non-Degree College Courses

College classes or training courses that are not a part of a degree or certificate program are not allowable child care need factors.

Homeschool Student

Parents who homeschool their children cannot be approved for child care during regular school hours.

Transportation Only

Child care is never approved to transport a child to school when the parent or caretaker is not meeting a need factor during that time period.

Child Care Need Factors that require referral to Child Care Subsidy Unit

Protective/Preventive Child Care

Child care that is used as an early intervention to prevent neglect, abuse, or exploitation of a child may be approved at the county level for an initial 30 days. If the care is needed past 30 days, a request must be submitted to the Child Care Subsidy Unit for approval.

Enrichment

Child care can be approved to assist children who receive SSI to develop socialization skills to transition into a group setting such as a classroom. This type of child care is based solely on the needs of the child’s condition of disability rather than activities of parents or caretakers. Child care is limited to 2 days a week and requires Child Care Subsidy Unit approval.