Citizenship and immigration status of parents is not required for child care assistance. Do not request verification of citizenship or immigrations status for anyone in the family other than the child for whom child care assistance is requested.

Only citizenship and immigration status of the children for whom child care assistance is requested is relevant for authorizing care for child care assistance.

Do not require verification of citizenship or immigration status when child care is provided in a setting subject to public education standards (an education program that meets the state’s expectations for student learning in K-12 public schools, such as Head Start programs and prekindergarten or school-age care programs).

When child care is or will be provided in a setting that is not subject to public educational standards:

· Require verification that at least one child for whom assistance is requested meets citizenship or immigration status requirements before approving eligibility.

· Require verification that each child for whom assistance is requested meets citizenship or immigration status requirements before authorizing care for that child.

NOTE: An expired immigration document is NOT acceptable verification of current status. Do not assume that an expired document is an indication that the immigration status has changed or that the person is undocumented. If documentation has an expiration date, track and request verification of renewed documentation prior to the expiration date.

Case action

Deny a family’s application or at redetermination terminate child care assistance when:

· The setting where child care will be or is being provided is not subject to public educational standards.

AND

· None of the child(ren) for whom assistance is requested meets citizenship or immigration status requirements for child care assistance.

Approve an application when:

· The setting where child care will be or is being provided is subject to public educational standards.

OR

· At least one of the children for whom assistance is requested meets citizenship or immigration status requirements for child care assistance.

Legal authority

Minnesota Statutes 119B.025
Minnesota Rules 3400.0040