Parentally responsible individuals (PRIs) must participate in authorized activities at application and redetermination to be eligible for child care assistance. Families may be involved in a combination of authorized activities.

In families with two PRIs, at least one PRI must participate in authorized activities and the other must participate in authorized activities or be determined unable to care for their child(ren). See Chapter 4.6.1 (Activity requirements based on family composition).

During the 12-month eligibility period, there are limited circumstances when a PRI is not participating in an authorized activity in which the family remains eligible for child care assistance. See Chapter 8.1.9 (Changes in activity), Chapter 9.15.3 (Care during temporary breaks from authorized activities) and Chapter 9.15.6 (Extended eligibility).

Approved authorized activities

There are different authorized activities within an MFIP or DWP Employment Plan and outside of an MFIP or DWP Employment Plan.

· For information about authorized activities within an MFIP or DWP Employment Plan, see Chapter 4.6.3 (Authorized activities within an Employment Plan).

· For information about authorized activities outside of an MFIP or DWP Employment Plan, see Chapter 4.6.6 (Authorized activities outside an Employment Plan). The following are authorized activities outside of an Employment Plan:

- Job search at application or redetermination. See Chapter 4.6.6.3 (Job search at application or redetermination).

- Employment. See Chapter 4.6.6.6 (Employment outside an Employment Plan).

- Education. See Chapter 4.6.6.9 (Education outside an Employment Plan).

- Combinations of activities examples. See Chapter 4.6.6.12 (Combinations of activities examples).

See Chapter 8.1.9 (Changes in activity) for how to process changes to employment, education and training during a family’s 12-month eligibility period.

Expedited child care for families experiencing homelessness

Families experiencing homelessness are exempt from activity requirements at application and during the three month period that follows the date the application is received. See Chapter 4.6.9 (Authorized activities for families experiencing homelessness).

Legal authority

Minnesota Statutes 119B.011
Minnesota Statutes 119B.095
Minnesota Statutes 119B.105
Minnesota Rules 3400.0040