SR 23-22 Dated 07/23 |
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES – DIVISION OF ECONOMIC STABILITY
Bureau of family assistance (bfa)
INTER-DEPARTMENT COMMUNICATION
FROM THE OFFICE OF: |
Administrator IV of Bureau of Family Assistance Debra E. Sorli |
BFA SIGNATURE DATE: |
June 27, 2023 |
FROM THE OFFICE OF: |
Bureau Chief of Child Development & Head Start Collaboration, (BCDHSC) Debra Nelson |
SIGNATURE DATE: |
June 27, 2023 |
AT (OFFICE): |
Bureau of Family Assistance
|
TO: |
All BFA Staff All BCDHSC Staff |
SUBJECT: |
Changes to the Gross Income Eligibility Levels and Step Thresholds based on the 2022 Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG). Changes to the 85% State Median Income (SMI) by Family Size based on federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program’s (LIHEAP) Estimated State Median Income by Household Size and State FFY2022 data for the NH Child Care Scholarship Program. |
EFFECTIVE DATE: |
July 1, 2023 |
SUMMARY
This SR releases updated income eligibility levels and State Median Income (SMI) thresholds and updates the Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration (BCDHSC) Form 2532, Child Care Scholarship Income Eligibility Levels.
POLICY
A family cannot receive NH Child Care Scholarship if the household income exceeds 85% of the SMI. The SMI effective July 1, 2023 is:
State Median Income (SMI)
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Family Size |
85% SMI MONTHLY |
85% SMI YEARLY |
1 |
$4,601 |
$55,207 |
2 |
$6,016 |
$72,193 |
3 |
$7,432 |
$89,180 |
4 |
$8,847 |
$106,167 |
5 |
$10,263 |
$123,153 |
6 |
$11,678 |
$140,140 |
7 |
$11,944 |
$143,325 |
8 |
$12,209 |
$146,510 |
A family with income over 85% of the State Median Income (SMI) is not eligible for NH Child Care Scholarship |
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Effective July 1, 2023 income eligibility for each step of NH Child Care Scholarship eligibility is:
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NEW HEIGHTS & NH EASY SYSTEMS PROCEDURES AND IMPLEMENTATION
New HEIGHTS will update with the new SMI and Step tables effective July 1, 2023.
DESCRIPTION OF REVISIONS MADE TO FORMS
The updated 85% of SMI and income eligibility level for each step have been updated on BCDHSC Form 2532 Child Care Scholarship Income Eligibility Levels. Form 2532 will also be posted on the BCDHSC forms page of the DHHS website.
POLICY MANUAL REVISIONS
Revised Family Assistance Manual Topics
Section 933.05 State Median Income
PART 935 GROSS MONTHLY INCOME LIMITS
IMPLEMENTATION
The 85% of SMI and income eligibility levels for each step are effective July 1, 2023.
CLIENT NOTIFICATION
Clients who experience a change in their cost share will receive a New HEIGHTS-generated AE0024 - Client Version containing the updated information for their step level and cost share. Family cap amounts will not change for any client who is within their 12-month certification period. Clients will be advised of the new child care gross income limits and SMI thresholds at application or at redetermination and on the Notice of Decision (NOD) on or after July 1, 2023. Clients will receive the following text in their letter:
On July 1, 2023, the child care income limits used to determine child care step and cost share will increase. Your step level or cost share may change as of that date. The provider(s) listed below are authorized to bill the Department of Health and Human Services for reimbursement of allowable child care costs for the following children according to the information listed below, unless there is a change in circumstances.
Child Care Providers will receive a New HEIGHTS-generated letter AE0024 - Provider Version for any family that experiences a scholarship change with the updated information regarding the family’s step level and cost share. Form 2532 Child Care Scholarship Income Eligibility Levels, containing the income eligibility guidelines will be available to any child care provider as needed or upon request. Child Care Providers will receive the following text in their letter:
On July 1, 2023, the child care income limits used to determine child care step and cost share may increase. The family’s step level or cost share will change as of that date. You
are authorized to bill the Department of Health and Human Services for reimbursement of allowable child care costs for the following children according to the information listed below, unless there is a change in the family’s circumstances
All new and re-enrolling providers receive Form 2532 in the enrollment packet. The Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency will distribute the updated Form 2532 to all child care providers in their database via email. Providers may also access Form 2532 on the BCDHSC forms page of the DHHS website.
TRAINING
No special training is planned or needed.
DISPOSITION
This SR may be destroyed or deleted after its contents have been noted and the revised manual topics released by this SR have been posted to the On-line manuals.
DISTRIBUTION
This SR will be distributed according to the electronic distribution list for BFA policy releases. This SR, and revised On-Line Manuals, will be available for agency staff in the On-Line Manual Library, and for public access on the Internet at www.dhhs.nh.gov/dfa/publications.htm, effective July 1, 2023.
BCDHSC/BH