(a) A child meeting all of the applicable eligibility requirements for child care services in this subchapter on the date of the most recent eligibility determination or redetermination, the child shall be considered to be eligible and will receive services during the 12-month eligibility period described in §809.42 of this subchapter, regardless of any:
  (1) change in family income, if that family income does not exceed 85 percent of SMI for a family of the same size; or
  (2) temporary change in the ongoing status of the child's parent as working or attending a job training or education program. A temporary change shall include, at a minimum, any:
    (A) time-limited absence from work for an employed parent for periods of family leave (including parental leave) or sick leave;
    (B) interruption in work for a seasonal worker who is not working between regular industry work seasons;
    (C) student holiday or breaks within a semester, between the fall and spring semesters, or between the spring and fall semesters, for a parent participating in training or education;
    (D) reduction in work, training, or education hours, as long as the parent is still working or attending a training or education program;
    (E) other cessation of work or attendance in a training or education program that does not exceed three months;
    (F) change in age, including turning 13 years old or a child with disabilities turning 19 years old during the eligibility period; and
    (G) change in residency within the state.
(b) During the period of time between eligibility redeterminations, a Board shall discontinue child care services due to a parent's loss of work or cessation of attendance at a job training or educational program that does not constitute a temporary change in accordance with subsection (a)(2) of this section. However, Boards must ensure that care continues at the same level for a period of not less than three months after such loss of work or cessation of attendance at a job training or educational program.
(c) If a parent resumes work or attendance at a job training or education program at any level and at any time during the period described in subsection (b) of this section, then the Board shall ensure that:
  (1) care will continue to the end of the 12-month eligibility period at the same or greater level, depending upon any increase in the activity hours of the parent;
  (2) the parent share of cost will not be increased during the remainder of the 12-month eligibility period, including for parents who are exempt from the parent share of cost pursuant to §809.19 of this chapter; and
  (3) the Board's child care contractor verifies only:
    (A) that the family income does not exceed 85 percent of SMI; and
    (B) the resumption of work or attendance at a job training or education program.
(d) The Board may suspend child care services during interruptions in the parent's work, job training, or education status only at the concurrence of the parent.

Source Note: The provisions of this §809.51 adopted to be effective October 1, 2016, 41 TexReg 7529; amended to be effective October 3, 2022, 47 TexReg 6437; amended to be effective July 29, 2024, 49 TexReg 5540