Two child care eligibility rules that were recently filed as emergency changes have been permanently amended through the regular rule-filing process. Several of these changes are a result of the passage of Ohio's biennial budget, Am. Sub. H.B.153 of the 129thGeneral Assembly. The following changes will be effective on September 29, 2011:

Implementation of the 2011 federal poverty levels (FPL) for the monthly income standards for child care eligibility.

Decrease in the initial monthly income eligibility limit from 150% FPL to 125% FPL. Families will remain eligible for child care benefits with monthly incomes up to 200% FPL.

Implementation of a sixty-day reinstatement period following termination of benefits, under certain conditions.

Adjustment of monthly copayment amounts due to the increase in the monthly income standards and addition of a weekly copayment calendar due to the ongoing implementation of the electronic child care system (Ohio ECC).

Effective September 29, 2011, the income standards in the appendix to rule 5101:2-16-30 shall be used to determine eligibility for child care benefits. Copayments shall be assigned according to the amounts shown in the appendix to rule 5101:2-16-39.

Following is a summary of the changes in each rule.

Rule 5101:2-16-30 entitled "Eligibility requirements for receipt of publicly funded child care benefits" is being amended to add the definitions of full time, part-time and hourly authorizations; to clarify eligibility for a child in a Head Start program; to change the eligibility income standards in the appendix; and to allow a sixty-day eligibility reinstatement period following termination under certain conditions.

Rule 5101:2-16-39 entitled "Copayment for publicly funded child care" is being amended to describe the effective date of a copayment change at the time of a redetermination; to describe the distribution of the family copayment among all children receiving care in a week; to delete language regarding fees; to clarify existing language; and to change the monthly copayment chart and add the weekly copayment chart in the appendix.

The electronic versions of the Child Care Manuals are located at: http://emanuals.jfs.ohio.gov. The manuals contain all child care rules, transmittal letters and procedure letters.

Please contact the Help Desk for the Office of Families and Children at 1-866-886-3537, option 4 if you have any questions.

INSTRUCTIONS: The following chart identifies the material that needs to be removed from and inserted into the Child Care Manual.