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Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Policy Manual

Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Policy Manual


9.1.5.3 Authorizing Care - Sanctions

ISSUE DATE: 03/2026

Non-compliance with Employment Services

Agencies apply Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) sanctions when participants do not comply with Employment Services requirements. Eligibility for MFIP child care continues as long as the caregiver remains eligible for MFIP. See Chapter 4.3.3.9 (MFIP Sanctions) for information about how MFIP sanctions affect a family’s eligibility for child care assistance.

The effect of MFIP Employment Services sanctions on child care authorization depends on a variety of factors. Most Employment Services sanctions are related to participation in MFIP Employment Plan activities.

In general, do not approve an adverse action related to an Employment Services sanction until the participant has actually been sanctioned. This does not happen until after the Notice of Intent to Sanction (NOITS) phase. Notification that the participant has been sanctioned should come from the job counselor, not the financial worker.

Child Care Authorization Impacts

At application and redetermination

At application and redetermination, child care hours are authorized based on the authorized activity. If a participant is sanctioned due to non-compliance with activities in the Employment Plan, care can only be authorized for:

  • · Activities in the Employment Plan that the parent is participating in. Agency may need to work with the job counselor to determine which activities the parent is still participating in.
  • · Authorized activities outside of an Employment Plan. See Chapter 4.6.6 (Authorized Activities Outside an Employment Plan).

    • See Chapter 9.1.5 (Authorizing Care – Employment Plans) for more information about authorizing care for families with Employment Plans.

    During 12-month eligibility period

    In general, child care hours cannot be reduced during a family’s 12-month eligibility period.

    If sanctioned due to non-compliance with some but not all activities in the Employment Plan:

  • · Do not decrease authorization as long as the client is still participating in some part of their Employment Plan activities or employment outside of an Employment Plan.

    • If sanctioned due to non-compliance with all activities in the Employment Plan:

  • · If not participating for any number of hours in activities in the Employment Plan BUT participating in employment outside of an Employment Plan, continue to authorize care at the same level until redetermination.
  • · If not participating for any number of hours in activities in the Employment Plan AND not participating in employment outside of an Employment Plan, put the client into Extended Eligibility. Care should continue at the same level for up to three months or until next redetermination, whichever occurs first. See Chapter 9.15.6 (Extended Eligibility) for more information.

    • MFIP case closes due to seventh sanction

    If an MFIP case closes due to a seventh sanction occurrence, also referred to as 100 percent sanction or sanction disqualification, the family is no longer eligible for MFIP child care.

    See Chapter 4.3.3.9 (MFIP Sanctions) for information about assessing a family’s eligibility for other subprograms when an MFIP case closes due to a seventh sanction occurrence. See Chapter 8.1.18 (Changes in Subprogram) for information about how changes in subprogram impact authorization during the 12-month eligibility period, see Chapter 8.1.18 (Changes in Subprogram).

    Legal Authority

    Minnesota Statutes 142E.08
    Minnesota Statutes 142E.11, subd. 2
    Minnesota Statutes 142G.70

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