OEC20-02 TEMPORARY CHANGES IN ELIGIBILITY FOR CHILD CARE

Department of Social Services
Family Support Division
PO Box 88
Jefferson City, Missouri

TO: ALL REGIONAL AND COUNTY CD AND FSD STAFF 

FROM:  REGINALD MCELHANNON, DIRECTOR CHILDREN’S DIVISION
                 KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR, FAMILY SUPPORT DIVISION

SUBJECT:  TEMPORARY CHANGES IN ELIGIBILITY FOR CHILD CARE

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Child Care Plan allows for temporary changes in eligibility for Child Care Subsidy.  Effective May 1, 2020, the following temporary changes will be in effect:

Low-income Missouri families who are unemployed due to COVID-19 are eligible to receive a temporary Child Care Subsidy benefit for 90 days of job search.  The benefit is available for application through August 31, 2020.  Families that apply must indicate they are unemployed due to COVID-19 and must agree that they are searching for work.  These criteria will be verified by client statement and will be documented in FAMIS notes.

In FAMIS, the Child Care Need (FMAC/CCNEED) screen requires each parent in the eligibility unit to have the COVID-19 Job Search (CJS) code entered as the reason for need.  Client statement will be accepted as verification.

Effective May 1, 2020, parents who have a valid need for care, meet all other eligibility requirements, and have an income from 139% to 215% of the federal poverty level (FPL) will be eligible for transitional child care until August 31, 2020, without the requirement of having a current active Child Care Subsidy case.

Households who applied and were denied during May due to invalid need or excessive income will be re-evaluated for eligibility.