When Temporary Ineligible (TI) status must be used

Agencies must reserve a family’s position in CCAP by placing them in Temporary Ineligible (TI) status in some situations.

Required situations include:

· When a parent is on an unverified temporary break from their activity at redetermination and their activity meets the minimum requirements that apply at redetermination. A parent must meet the minimum activity requirements that apply at redetermination when they return to their activity to move out of Temporary Ineligible status.

· If the activity is employment, Temporary Ineligible status cannot exceed 90 days. When the 90th day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the timeframe is extended to the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.

· If the activity is education, Temporary Ineligible status for this reason cannot exceed one academic quarter or semester as determined by the educational institution.

· Families whose increased income from active military service makes them ineligible. Continue Temporary Ineligible status until the person is deactivated from military service.

· When a family experiencing homelessness does not meet all the requirements at the end of the three-month period, the case must be put into Temporary Ineligible (TI) status with a 15-day notice. This allows the family additional time to meet program requirements. Note: For families experiencing homelessness the Temporary Ineligible status begins the biweekly period after the three-month period ends.

Example: PRI’s extended eligibility period is ending 8/4/2025. TI begins on 8/5/2025. Count 90 days starting with 8/5/2025 as day 1, to establish the TI period of 8/5/2025 – 11/2/2025 (Do NOT count TI period as three months using dates 8/5/2025 – 11/5/2025). Even though 11/2/2025 falls on a Sunday, MEC² will generate a closing notice that does not a fall on a weekend and/or a holiday. Note: This example is for Standard Temporary Ineligibility only as this is the most common situation. See User Manual Standard Temporary Ineligibility for guidance on how to code this in MEC2. See User Manual Temporary Ineligibility for guidance on how to code other situations.

When Temporary Ineligible (TI) status can be used at the agency’s option

When a family has been receiving child care assistance and a change makes them ineligible AND you believe the ineligibility to be temporary and do not know when the temporary ineligibility will end, agencies can reserve the family’s position in CCAP.

Optional situations include, but are not limited to:

· Participants who do not have an eligible activity following their Extended Eligibility period. Temporary Ineligible status cannot exceed 90 days. When the 90th day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the timeframe is extended to the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.

· Participants who do not have an eligible activity at the end of 240 hours of job search. Temporary Ineligible status cannot exceed 90 days. When the 90th day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the timeframe is extended to the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. If a new calendar year starts while a family is on Temporary Ineligible status after job search ends, the case should remain on Temporary Ineligible status until activity requirements at application or redetermination are met. See Chapter 4.6.6.3 (Job Search at Application or Redetermination).

· Families who reach the end of the one-year suspension period due to not having a child care provider. Temporary Ineligible status cannot exceed 90 days. When the 90th day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the timeframe is extended to the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.

· Families that exceed the income exit guidelines during the 12-month eligibility period or at redetermination. Temporary Ineligible status cannot exceed 90 days. When the 90th day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the timeframe is extended to the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. The case should remain on Temporary Ineligible status until income requirements are met. See Chapter 6.3 (Income Limits).

Family experiencing homelessness meets all requirements during Temporary Ineligible Period

· If the family was not participating in an authorized activity at the end of the three-month period but begins participating in an authorized activity during the Temporary Ineligible period, eligibility begins on the date the authorized activity began. Care can be authorized beginning the date the authorized activity began.

· If the family failed to provide all required verifications at the end of the three-month period but submitted all required verifications during the Temporary Ineligible period, eligibility goes back to the Temporary Ineligible begin date. Care can be authorized beginning the date Temporary Ineligible began.

· If the family was not cooperating with child support at the end of the three-month verification period, but began cooperating during the Temporary Ineligible period, eligibility goes back to the Temporary Ineligible begin date. Care can be authorized beginning the date Temporary Ineligible began.

Authorization changes when a family moves out of Temporary Ineligible

When a family moves out of Temporary Ineligible status because the family is eligible, there are different policies for authorizing care depending on when their redetermination occurs:

· If the family moves out of Temporary Ineligible status during the same 12-month eligibility period, the authorized hours should be the same as what was authorized prior to when the family went into Temporary Ineligible status (unless the family provides verification showing that more hours are needed).

· If the family moves out of Temporary Ineligible status when their redetermination is processed, the authorized hours should be based on the redetermination. The authorized hours can increase or decrease.

· If the family was placed into Temporary Ineligible at redetermination and they move out of Temporary Ineligible status later, the authorized hours should be based on the amount of care needed at the time the family moves out of the temporary ineligible status. The authorized hours can increase or decrease.

Families on the waiting list

In addition, your agency must reserve a family’s position in CCAP for up to 90 days if the family:

· Reaches the top of the Basic Sliding Fee (BSF) waiting list

AND

· Is Temporarily Ineligible.

Check your County and Tribal Child Care Fund Plan to determine whether your county or Tribe has chosen to reserve the family’s position for more than 90 days.

Temporary Ineligible status and change in subprogram

The family still has up to 90 days to become eligible while in Temporary Ineligible status even if a change in subprogram is scheduled. See Chapter 8.1.18 (Changes in Subprogram).

Legal authority

Minnesota Statutes 142E.10, subd. 4
Minnesota Statutes 645.15
Minnesota Rules 3400.0040, subps. 17 – 17b