Eligibility Criteria 401-01-20-10

(Revised 4/1/12 ML #3322)

View Archives

  

 

The Crossroads Program is designed to assist with child care and transportation costs for individuals who are:

• Parents up to 21 years of age (prior to the month the parent turns 21 years of age)

• Parents who are male or female

• Parents who are married or unmarried

• Parents who have the primary responsibility for the care of their child

• Parents who are pursuing high school, GED, or alternative high school

• Eligibility under Crossroads begins the first day of the month in which the Crossroads Program Application is received in the local county social service agency.

Parents must apply for or be in receipt of assistance through the Child Care Assistance Program in order to be eligible for the Crossroads Program.

 

The child care provider must be licensed, registered, self-declared or an approved relative with the state of North Dakota.

 

The Crossroads Program does not consider assets or income when determining eligibility.

 

Eligibility for assistance with payment of child care expenses must be determined using the eligibility criteria defined in the Child Care Assistance Policy manual at 400-28-40, Crossroads Families Eligibility.

 

A copy of the Crossroads approval letter must be received by the county, which will verify the parent(s) is eligible for Crossroads. The approval letter shows the period of time the parent is eligible for Crossroads.

 

The only allowable costs that can be paid for individuals eligible for Crossroads are the costs associated with class attendance, employment, and attendance at parenting classes.

NOTE: Costs associated with participation in extracurricular activities cannot be paid.

 

A child in receipt of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) may be eligible for Crossroads provided the parent meets the Crossroads eligibility criteria.

 

When an individual eligible for Crossroads is married or resides with the parent of the child, the individual may be eligible for Crossroads without regard to the activities or income of the spouse or second parent.

 

A parent, who participated in Crossroads in the previous school period and who intends to participate in Crossroads for the next school period remains eligible for Crossroads during the break if the break is less than a full calendar month. If the break is more than a full calendar month, the individual will remain eligible for Crossroads coverage during the break if the parent is working or attending parenting classes during the school break. At the time it is learned that the individual will not be returning to school, eligibility for Crossroads ends.

 

Example #1: Mom age 17 has 1 child. Mom is attending high school in December; mom has a three week break from school due to the holidays. Mom will resume attendance in January after the break. If during the break mom incurs child care due to employment and parenting classes, mom remains Crossroads eligible and the child care costs can be paid by the Child Care Assistance Program as the mom is considered Crossroads eligible throughout the break.

 

Example #2: Mom age 16 has 1 child. She attends grade 11 in high school and is employed part time. School term ends in May and mom will return to school in August. Since mom will return to school in August, she will remain eligible for Crossroads and her child care costs, while employed can be paid under the Child Care Assistance Program as Crossroads.

 

Example #3: Mom is age 16 and has 1 child. She attends high school and is in the 11th grade. School ends May and she is not employed and not seeking employment. She plans on returning to school in August. Since mom will not have a child care need during the summer, her Crossroads case must be closed at the end of May.

 

In July, mom reports she obtained employment and needs assistance with her child care costs. Mom will need to complete a new Crossroads Program Application (and the Child Care Assistance Program Application if the case was closed). Her child care costs can be paid by the Child Care Assistance Program as Crossroads since she will be returning to school in August.

NOTE: If she will not return to school in August, she is not eligible for Crossroads; however, she may continue to be eligible for the Child Care Assistance Program if all other eligibility criteria for the Child Care Assistance Program are met.