Minnesota Minnesota

MFIP Employment Services Manual

MFIP Employment Services Manual


16.27 Two-Parent Families

ISSUE DATE: 09/2020

How much child care assistance is authorized depends on the activities of both parents.


Even if only 1 parent is receiving MFIP assistance, child care assistance takes into account both parents.

The following are examples of what child care assistance will cover for various family situations at application and redetermination. If the parents change their activities during the 12-month eligibility child care assistance eligibility period, what happens to the family’s child care authorization will depend on the type of change and whether the family is a 12-Month Reporter or not, see 16.18 (Eligibility Periods & Required Reporting).

Examples of Family Situations

Child Care Assistance Will Cover

Both parents are in an authorized activity.

The time periods when both parents are participating simultaneously in authorized activities – including travel times and meals or breaks.

One parent:
Complying with an employment plan.

Other parent:
Unable to care for the children as determined by a licensed physician, licensed psychologist, or the local social services agency.

The time periods when the parent with an employment plan is scheduled for activities.

One parent:
Participating in authorized activities.

Other parent:
Not participating in authorized activities.

No time – because the other parent is available to care for the child.

One parent:
Self-employed.

Other parent:
Participating in employment plan activities.

The time periods when both parents are participating simultaneously in authorized activities – including travel times and meals or breaks.

One parent:
Receiving MFIP benefits with an employment plan.

Other parent:
Not receiving MFIP benefits and not working or in an education activity.

No time – because the other parent is available to care for the child.

One parent:
Receiving MFIP benefits and has an employment plan.

Other parent:
Not receiving MFIP benefits and is working or in education or training.

The time periods when both parents are participating simultaneously in authorized activities – including travel times and meals or breaks

The child care assistance worker is responsible to verify the situation of parents not working with employment services.

If the employment counselor has any verified information about the activity schedule for the parent not working with employment services, share it with the child care assistance worker.

For parents working with employment services, the child care worker is only responsible for obtaining verification of the activity schedule for activities included in the Employment Plan if the job counselors has not already indicated the activity schedule (days and times of the activities) or the days and times that child care is needed.

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