If you receive TAFDC (Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children) or SNAP benefits and participate in a DTA-approved employment or education activity, you may be eligible for a childcare subsidy through a DTA referral. This is a separate pathway from the income-eligible waitlist — DTA determines eligibility and issues the referral, and your CCR&R processes the voucher.

How DTA Referrals Work

1. DTA issues a referral based on your participation in an approved activity (employment services, education, job search)
2. You bring or send the referral to your CCR&R within 90 days (referrals expire after 90 days)
3. Your CCR&R verifies your identity and helps you find a provider
4. Your CCR&R issues the voucher — no additional documentation is needed beyond the referral itself

The DTA referral serves as sufficient documentation of your income, service need, residence, and family relationships. You do not need to submit separate proof of these.

Your CCR&R is required to reach out to you within 3 business days of receiving your DTA referral. If you have not heard from them in that window, call them directly.

Three Types of DTA-Related Child Care

1. Active TAFDC or SNAP Families

• You currently receive TAFDC cash assistance or SNAP and participate in DTA's employment services program
• DTA refers you for a 12-month authorization (or a 12-week Seeking Approved Activity referral if you don't yet have an approved activity)
• No parent fee during this period
• Asset requirements waived

2. Transitional Families

• Your TAFDC case has closed within the last 12 months and you are moving from a DTA Approved Activity authorization
• DTA issues a transitional referral and confirms that you are participating in an allowable service need activity
• Your CCR&R will verify your service need activity as part of the eligibility process. In two-parent households, both parents must meet the eligibility rules. If the household has countable income, it must be entered.
• If you do not have an activity at the time of your transitional assessment, you may be eligible for a provisional authorization
• Authorization is for 12 months
• No parent fee during the initial 12-month transitional period

3. Post-Transitional Families

• After your transitional authorization ends, you may receive one additional 12-month period of priority access
• Must meet full EEC eligibility requirements
• Authorization cannot exceed 24 months from the date your TAFDC case closed
• A parent fee is assessed based on your income

Continuity of Care — Moving to Income-Eligible

When your DTA-related authorization ends, you can continue receiving childcare assistance through the income-eligible program if you meet the requirements (income, service need, residency, documentation). This is your pathway to keep your voucher long-term.

Reauthorization

Active TAFDC Families

• DTA must issue a new referral for you to reauthorize
• You must complete the reauthorization with your CCR&R before your current authorization ends
• No extensions will be granted if you miss this deadline

Transitional and Post-Transitional Families

• You must submit documentation and meet full eligibility requirements at reauthorization
• Must be completed before your authorization end date
• If you cannot document attempted outreach to your CCR&R before the end date, care will end
• If you provide full documentation within 60 days of the last day of care, you may be reauthorized

Reporting Changes

• While your TAFDC case is active, DTA is responsible for reporting changes to your CCR&R (particularly custody and contact info changes). This will typically be done by issuing an updated referral for your family.
• After your TAFDC case closes (transitional/post-transitional), you are responsible for reporting all changes to your CCR&R — DTA is no longer involved

Appeal Rights

If DTA denies or terminates your referral, you appeal through the DTA Fair Hearing Process — not through EEC's review process. Your CCR&R can provide information about how to request a DTA fair hearing.

If your CCR&R denies or terminates your childcare authorization (separate from the DTA referral itself), you appeal through EEC's process. See How to Appeal (1.20).

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Next Steps

• Have a DTA referral? Contact your CCR&R to get started
• TAFDC case closing soon? Ask DTA about a transitional referral before your case closes
• Transitional period ending? See Reassessment (1.11) for what you need to reauthorize
• Need to understand income eligibility? See Income Eligibility (1.2)
• Questions about the DTA process? Contact your local DTA office