CalWORKs Stage 3 Alternative Payment (C3AP)

The C3AP program subsidizes child care for low income families that meet the state required eligibility conditions described immediately below (see “Family Eligibility for C3AP”) and also meet the need criteria.

 

Access to C3AP

The C3AP program can be accessed ONLY:

• Through a transfer from Stage 2 (C2AP) OR
• From another child care agency’s Stage 3 program

 

Family Eligibility for C3AP (CCR Title 5 18421)

Families are eligible for C3AP child care funding if ALL of the following criteria are met:

• The family is and remains income eligible
• The family meets the need criteria
• The parent or minor teen is responsible for the care of the children needing child care services and is:
• • A former CalWORKs cash aid recipient and is in the 24th month of eligibility for CalWORKs Stage 1 and/or 2 after leaving CalWORKs cash aid OR
  • A diversion services recipient and is in the 24th month of eligibility for CalWORKs Stage 1 and/or Stage 2 child care services

 

Children’s Eligibility for C3AP (CCR Title 5 18422)

Children living in the household of the eligible family may receive C3AP child care services if the children are:

• A son or daughter of the eligible family
• Under the age of 13, or under the age of 21 if they have exceptional needs
• Receiving foster care benefits, federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI), State Supplemental Program (SSP) benefits OR
• The responsibility of the adult to support and the lack of child care services for the children would result in the adult not being able to work or to participate in an approved welfare-to-work activity.

 

Duration of Eligibility for C3AP (CCR Title 5 18423)

Families on the C3AP program have no time limits for receiving child care services as long as:

• Funding is available AND
• The family continues to meet eligibility and need criteria OR
• As long as funding is available and Crystal Stairs receives a referral from someone licensed in the State of California to perform legal, medical, health, or social services for the general public certifying that the eligible children in the family are eligible for Child Protective Services.