In the following scenarios we will determine if the household meets an allowable need factor and qualifies for child care benefits.

Remember! Clients must be working at least 20 hours per week or an average of 80 hours a month to meet the employment need factor for child care.

Example 1

Joey and Rachel visited the DHS office to apply for child care benefits for their two school-age children, Angel and Caleb. Rachel is employed at the local library and Joey is self-employed as a contractor. They both earn more than minimum wage and work from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Joey and Rachel meet the need factor for child care benefits because they are both employed over 20 hours a week and meet the minimum wage rule. Coding for both school-age children will be Blended 23.

Example 2

Samantha and Derrick applied for child care services for their 2 year old, Billy.  Samantha works part time in the evening from 6 pm to 9 pm Monday through Friday. Billy works full time Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm.

Billy is not eligible for child care services. Samantha and Derrick do not meet a need factor at the same time because Samantha does not work at least 20 hours a week and also, they do not work during the same hours.

Example 3

Chandler requests child care benefits for his 2 year old son, Tate. He works full time on the overnight shift at a shipping company. Tate’s grandmother watches him at night until Chandler picks him up after he gets off work at 7 a.m. Tate needs child care during the day while Chandler sleeps.

Chandler may be eligible for up to 8 hours of sleep time child care because his work hours fall between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. and has an alternative caregiver for the child during the night hours. Chandler meets the work hours requirement

Example 4A

Betty and Ben apply for child care for their 2 year-old twins, Chuck and Jennifer. Betty and Ben both work the same schedule at Sunshine Breakfast, Monday through Saturday from 8 am to 2 pm.  Ben cooks and makes $9.00 an hour.  Betty waits tables.  She earns tips that average with her pay to $10 an hour.

Chuck and Jennifer are eligible for child care services. Betty and Ben meet the need factor of work because they work more than 20 hours a week. Chuck and Jennifer would be approved for services Monday through Saturday from 8 am to 2 pm plus travel time. Coding for each would be Full-Time 27.

Example 4B

The child care center that Betty and Ben choose is not open on Saturday. Betty’s mother will volunteer to care for the children on Saturday.

Approved care will now be Monday through Friday 8 am to 2 pm plus travel time. Coding for each would be Weekly 5.

Example 5

Wriley requests child care for his two children Jesse and Janelle for the days and hours that he will be working. Jesse and Janelle attend school during the day from 8a-2:30p. Wriley works Mon-Thurs from 7 am to 6 pm. With 30 mins travel time each way.

Approved care will be for the Monday through Thursday. The children require before and after school care that equals more than 4 hours each day. Coding would be weekly 5.

Example 6

Jessica is due for her renewal. She is out on maternity leave as she just had her newborn Bella. She is expected to return to work in 2 weeks. Her oldest Rowan is 3 years old and currently in childcare. Jessica’s normal work schedule is Mon-Fri 9 am – 4 pm.

She is eligible for approved care M-F 9-4 + travel time, coding would be weekly 5. When reviewing her childcare, we would be sure to use the unfinished issuance process “New income at renewal process” found in the article Unfinished issuance examples coding.

Example 7

Petra applied for child care for her 3 year old niece that lives with her. Petra provided weekly pay stubs that indicate the following hours: week 1=25 hours, week 2 = 17 hours, week 3 = 20 hours, week 4 = 10 hours. Petra states that her schedule varies from week to week based on the company’s needs.

Petra does not meet the employment need factor. Petra’s weekly average of hours worked = 18 and her monthly average of hours worked = 77.4. Clients must be working at least 20 hours a week or an average of 80 hours per month to meet the employment need factor for child care.

Example 8

Lisa is a contracted 8^th grade school teacher. She opts to be paid over a 12-month period. Her earnings equal more than minimum wage for her 40-hour work week during the school year. It is time for Lisa’s July renewal. Lisa is not working since it is summer and will not return to work until mid-August. Is Lisa eligible for renewal?

The worker will need to obtain Lisa’s new contract showing that she is still employed as a teacher returning to work in August. Once that is obtained, child care may be renewed. The worker will need to make sure that the ongoing income is included when renewing the child care.

Example 9

Luke is working 16 hours a week making at least minimum wage.  He is also a freshman at OU enrolled in 4, in-person credit hours.  Is Luke eligible for child care for his children?

Luke is not eligible for child care.  We do not combine the need factors to meet the minimum requirements.  Luke would need to work an average of 20 hours/week to be eligible for child care for his employment hours.  Luke would have to be enrolled in at least 6, in-person credit hours to qualify for child care for the time he attends school.

Example 10

Carrie is working 12 hours/week making at least minimum wage.  She is also a sophomore at UCO enrolled in 6, in-person credit hours.  Is Carrie eligible for child care for her children?
Care is eligible for child care. However, she is only eligible for child care during the hours that she is attending her in-person classes.  She is not eligible for the hours that she is working part-time because she is not working at least 20 hours/week.