Each CCAP agency receives an annual capped allocation for Basic Sliding Fee (BSF) child care assistance. CCAP agencies must establish a waiting list when funds are not available. Add families to the waiting list at the highest priority level (see below) the family qualifies for based on a preliminary eligibility determination. Sort the list by the priorities provided below.

1st priority

Applicants without a high school or general equivalency diploma or who need remedial and basic skill courses to pursue employment or education leading to employment are considered 1st Priority. Students must be participating in an education program. Within this group, give priority to:

Families within this priority may be eligible for MFIP Child Care for Student Parents until funding becomes available, if the parent is under age 21, is pursuing a high school or general equivalency diploma, and is not an MFIP participant or eligible for Transition Year child care. Give families that appear eligible for MFIP Child Care for Student Parents an application. Families receiving MFIP Child Care for Student Parents must be reported on the waiting list as 1st Priority while they receive MFIP Child Care for Student Parents. See Chapter 4.3.15 (MFIP Child Care for Student Parents).

Families in the 1st Priority group are added to the wait list the date the family made an assistance request which is the date the family contacted the agency or the date the agency received an application.

2nd priority

Families in which an applicant is a veteran are considered 2nd Priority. A veteran is a United States citizen or resident non-citizen separated under honorable conditions from any branch of the United States armed forces after:

OR

OR

OR

Families in the 2nd Priority group are added to the wait list the date the family made an assistance request which is the date the family contacted the agency or the date the agency received an application.

3rd priority

All families who are not eligible for other priorities are considered 3rd Priority. Agencies may set priorities within this category. Check your county and tribal child care fund plan to see if sub-priorities have been established by your agency. For the definition of county and tribal child care fund plan, see Chapter 2 (Glossary). Families in the 3rd Priority group are added to the waiting list effective the date the family made an assistance request is the date the family contacted the agency or the date the agency received an application.

4th priority

Families who are eligible for Portability Pool are considered 4th Priority. See Chapter 4.3.12.15 (BSF Portability Pool). Report families in this priority starting with the month they become eligible for Portability Pool funding. The family’s effective date on the waiting list should be the date of the family’s move.

5th priority

Families who have completed their Transition Year (TY) are served under Transition Year Extension (TYE) until Basic Sliding Fee funds are available and are considered 5th Priority. Families are placed on the waiting list effective the date their Transition Year period ends; however, their effective date for the waiting list is the date they first became eligible to apply for Transition Year. If the family moves, their waiting list date transfers with them. If their name reaches the top of the waiting list before Transition Year ends, the family remains eligible for Transition Year through the remaining Transition Year period. Encumber Basic Sliding Fee funds for the months remaining and approve a subprogram switch to Basic Sliding Fee when the Transition Year period ends.

The length of time on the waiting list reported to the department should NOT include time spent in Transition Year. Do not include families who are still in their transition year of child care on the waiting list reported to the department.

Move Transition Year families into Basic Sliding Fee child care as soon as possible after completion of Transition Year. If the family’s name doesn’t reach the top of the waiting list by the end of Transition Year, transfer the family to Transition Year Extension until Basic Sliding Fee funding becomes available. The family retains their Transition Year waiting list date after moving to Transition Year Extension.

Legal authority

Minnesota Statutes 142E.01
Minnesota Statutes142E.04
Minnesota Rules 3400.0060