218 R.I. Code R. 218-RICR-20-00-4.5

Current through November 7, 2024
Section 218-RICR-20-00-4.5 - Criteria for RI Works CCAP Eligibility
4.5.1General Requirements and Criteria
A. RI Works recipients who fulfill the general requirements stated in § 4.3 of this Part, shall meet the following criteria to be eligible for the CCAP:
1. The CCAP authorized services shall only be approved for RI Works recipients who have an acceptable need for services related to fulfilling program requirements.
a. The following shall constitute an acceptable need for services for RI Works eligible families:
(1) The parent(s) or caretaker relative shall have an approved, signed and current employment plan on file and shall need the CCAP authorized child care services during periods of time when engaged in one (1) or more of the component activities required to comply with that plan.
(2) RI Works families receiving the CCAP services shall meet the employment plan component activity requirements outlined in the Rhode Island Works Rules and Regulations, § 2.11 of this Subchapter. Such component activities include those specified therein, as well as any combination of education and work-related activities contained in an approved employment plan.
(3) In a two (2) parent home, both parents shall have a signed and approved current employment plan as specified in the Rhode Island Works Program Rules and Regulations, § 2.11 of this Subchapter.
b. To have an acceptable need for services, TFD participants who are RI Works cash assistance recipients shall meet the following program-specific criteria:
(1) TFD parents shall not yet be in possession of a high school diploma or equivalency.
(2) The parent shall be actively working with the TFD Visiting Program and participating in an approved education activity, as specified in a current RI Works Employment Plan. The applicant child must be living with the TFD participant and the need for child care services must be directly related to working, obtaining a high school education or otherwise participating in activities required by the TFD program.
(3) A teen parent who is under age sixteen (16) may not obtain authorized CCAP child care services on their own, unless documentation of emancipation exists or circumstances exist that the inclusion of the parent or legal guardian would present an obstacle to securing child care. The CCAP child care services extended to a teen parent under the age of sixteen (16) shall be authorized under a parent or legal guardian of the teen parent and may also include that teen parent as a child care recipient.
4.5.2Limitations
A. Child care services shall not be authorized for a RI Works CCAP eligible family under the following circumstances:
1. In a one (1) parent home, the parent has failed to complete or comply with an RI Works employment plan;
2. One (1) of the parents in a two (2) parent home does not have an approved employment plan;
3. One (1) of the parents in a two (2) parent home is statutorily barred from receiving RI Works and is not working;
4. A parent of the eligible child is providing the child care, irrespective of whether the parent lives in the same legal residence as the eligible child(ren);
5. A person living in the same legal residence of the eligible child(ren) is providing the child care; or
6. There is a full family sanction in place, refer to the RI Works Rules and Regulations, Part 2 of this Subchapter.
4.5.3Exceptions
A. The following exceptions apply to the general and program-specific criteria for RI Works CCAP eligibility:
1. RI Works recipients whose RI Works cash assistance is scheduled to close, and who are requesting child care assistance due to employment, will have their CCAP eligibility determined using income eligibility rules if the RI Works case closes prior to the application for child care assistance.
2. The CCAP services may be authorized if one (1) of the parents in a two (2) parent home does not have an approved employment plan when the family provides written verification from a licensed health care practitioner, program or facility, qualified to make such a determination, indicating that the parent without an approved employment plan cannot provide appropriate, routine care of the child due to a neurophysiological, psychological or emotional disorder, physical impairment, or serious health condition.
a. Requests for an exception shall be made on forms approved by the Department and submitted along with the required medical documentation.
b. Any health information requested or obtained for the purposes of this Section shall be subject to the privacy protections established in State law and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), Pub. Law 104-191.
4.5.4Co-payments
A. The CCAP co-payments are applied to recipients of RI Works as follows:
1. RI Works recipients who receive Child Care Assistance as a supportive service are provided assistance at a co-payment of zero ($0.00).
2.Loco-parentis applicants receiving RI Works cash assistance on behalf of the child, but who are not included in the RI Works payment, are assessed a co-payment amount based upon the Family Cost Sharing Requirement.
B. Housing insecure families applying for the CCAP shall have a co-payment of zero ($0.00).

218 R.I. Code R. 218-RICR-20-00-4.5

Amended effective 6/19/2019
Amended effective 9/2/2021
Amended effective 2/27/2022
Amended effective 4/1/2022
Amended effective 4/23/2022
Amended effective 7/5/2022
Amended effective 9/15/2022
Amended effective 2/9/2023
Amended effective 4/1/2023
Amended effective 2/24/2024
Amended effective 7/29/2024