Date of Application and Benefit Start Date 400-28-20-10

(Revised 5/31/2023)

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NDAC 75-02-01.3-02

Households can apply for the Child Care Assistance Program in person, by mail, fax or electronically using one of the following:

• SFN 405 Application for Assistance
• SPACES self-service portal (SSP)

 

Applications may be received, filed and maintained at any Human Service Zone (HSZ) office within the state, based on what is most convenient for the applicant or recipient.

 

CCAP does not require an interview to determine eligibility. Households are not required to identify a provider at the time of application.

 

Date of Application and Benefit Start Date

 

The date of the application is the date the signed application is received in the HSZ office.

 

The HSZ office must document on the application the date the application was received in the HSZ office.

Note: Applications received after business hours, on weekends or holidays are considered received on the next business day.

The application is considered signed as long as the signature is found anywhere on the application, other than in answer to a question.

 

If an unsigned application is received, the unsigned application must be returned to the applicant for signature. The HSZ must document the date the signed application is received in the office. This date will become the application date.

 

Benefits will begin on the first day of the month in which the signed application is considered received in the HSZ office.

 

Prior Month

Applicants may request assistance for the month prior to the application month (prior month). Households may request the prior month up to the last day of the month following the month of application. Requests for prior months made after the time of application must be submitted in writing to the HSZ office.

Example:

A household applies for CCAP on April 3rd and is approved on April 15th. The household’s benefit start date is April 1st. The household has until May 31st to request the prior month.

 

If eligible, the system will determine eligibility and make payment for the prior month based on actuals.

If eligibility already exists for the requested prior month, a new eligibility determination is not made and payment for that month is based on the previous determination.