Families receiving MFIP are eligible for child care assistance through the MFIP child care assistance sub-program, if they are participating in authorized activities and meet eligibility requirements.

· This includes participants in Family Stabilization Services and participants who have opted out of cash assistance but still receive MFIP food support.

For more information on basic eligibility requirements, see 16.9 (Policies & Requirements).

When eligibility for child care assistance begins:

Participant’s situation.	Eligibility for child care begins on 1 of following dates, whichever is later:
For participants working or doing job search outside of an employment plan.	· The start date of employment or job search. · The start date of MFIP eligibility.
For participants in employment services.	· The start date of employment services. · The start date of MFIP eligibility.
Retroactive eligibility.	Eligibility for child care assistance cannot go back further than 3 months prior to the child care assistance application date.

For more information, see Child Care Assistance Program Policy Manual 4.18 (Date of Eligibility).

The activities and hours that can be covered by MFIP child care assistance differ depending on whether the participant has an employment plan or not.

Activity	MFIP child care assistance: With an Employment Plan	MFIP Child Care Assistance: Outside an Employment Plan
Job Search.	As defined in the employment plan.	Up to 20 hours a week, for a maximum of 240 hours in a calendar year. Only allowed at application and redetermination for child care assistance eligibility. Families must receive at least 12 weeks of eligibility.
Employment.	As defined in the employment plan.	Must work an average of: · 20 hours per week, at applicable minimum wage for all hours worked. · 10 hours per week, at applicable minimum wage for all hours worked, if a full-time student.
High school, GED, Adult Basic Education, English Language Learning.	As defined in the employment plan.	Not covered.
Post-Secondary Education.	As defined in the employment plan.	Not covered.
MFIP financial assistance orientations and employment services overviews.	Covered.	Covered.
Assessments.	Covered.	Covered.
Appeals and hearings.	Covered.	Covered.
Social Services and other activities.	As defined in the employment plan.	Not covered.
Any other activity included in an employment plan.	Covered.	Not covered.

Activities that cannot be authorized:

· Paid or unpaid work done for political purposes. This means any work done to directly or indirectly influence voting in public elections.