Minimum work requirements

At application, redetermination and the end of job search, for employment outside of an Employment Plan to be an authorized activity, the parent must work an average of 20 hours or more per week and must receive at least the applicable minimum wage for all hours worked. Work with the parent to determine a length of time, not to exceed the most recent six months, over which the number of hours worked weekly can be averaged to determine if the parent meets the requirement to work an average of 20 hours per week at the applicable minimum wage. If the compensation is other than an hourly wage, divide the earned income by the number of hours worked to determine if this requirement is met. See Chapter 4.6.6.15 (Applicable Minimum Wage).

Other non-employment activities cannot be combined with employment to meet the minimum employment activity requirement. See Chapter 4.6.6.12 (Combination of Activities Examples).

There is no minimum work requirement for a caregiver that receives an MFIP Child Only grant and has a verified mental health diagnosis. See Chapter 4.3.3.5 (Mental Health Support for MFIP Child Only Families).

For information about how to determine if self-employment outside of an Employment Plan meets minimum work requirements, see Chapter 9.1.1.1 (Authorizing Care – Self-Employment).

Students who are employed

If a full-time student requests child care assistance for employment hours at application or redetermination, require employment of at least an average of 10 hours per week and receipt of at least the applicable minimum wage for all hours worked for the employment to be an authorized activity. The training or education does not need to be approved by the CCAP agency for the full-time student minimum employment level to apply. However, the full-time student status is determined by the institution and needs to be verified. A full-time student retains full time status during school breaks, including summers, if the student is expected to return to school full-time after the break.

If a part-time student requests child care assistance for employment hours at application or redetermination, require employment of at least an average of 20 hours per week and receipt of at least the applicable minimum wage for all hours worked for the employment to be considered an authorized activity.

If a student is not working or does not want child care assistance for the hours they are working, there is no minimum work requirement to receive child care for education.

Changes during the 12-month eligibility period

After a parent meets minimum work requirements at application, redetermination or the end of job search, minimum work requirements do not apply during the 12-month eligibility period. If work hours decrease below 20 hours per week (or 10 hours per week if they are a full-time student) and/or if a parent’s wage drops below the applicable minimum wage, eligibility continues until redetermination.

If a student is approved for child care assistance for education only and starts working during the 12-month eligibility period, the student does not need to meet the minimum work requirements that apply to students until redetermination. The education and employment are authorized activities during the 12-month period.

Families who are moving to another CCAP subprogram during their 12-month eligibility period are not subject to minimum work requirements.

Legal authority

Minnesota Statutes 142E.12, subd. 1
Minnesota Rule 3400.0040