If your application for childcare financial assistance is denied, you have rights. This page explains why denials happen and what you can do about it.

Common Reasons for Denial

Your childcare authorization may be denied for any of the following reasons:

Reason	What it means
Lack of service need	You don't currently have a qualifying activity (employment, education, protective services)
Lack of financial eligibility	Your income or assets exceed the limits
Outstanding unpaid parent fee balance	You owe fees from a previous authorization (fees incurred between March 2019 and February 2021 cannot be grounds for denial)
Failure to submit required documentation	You didn't provide the necessary paperwork within the required timeframe
Non-approved break in care	Your previous placement was inactive for more than 30 consecutive days without a request for an Approved Break in Care. If you need to pause care, request an Approved Break in Care (up to 90 days) before the pause starts — this prevents the break from being treated as non-approved
Substantiated fraud	False or misleading information was submitted
Disqualification	You are currently serving a disqualification period from a prior sanction
Residency outside Massachusetts	You don't live in MA

What You Will Receive

When your application is denied, you must receive a written notice immediately. This notice must include:

• A clear statement of what action is being taken
• The effective date
• The reason for the denial
• The legal authority for the decision
• Contact information for more details
• An explanation of your right to request a review
• A copy of the Request for Review form
• Your right to be represented

Your Right to Appeal

You can request a review of a denial decision. See How to Appeal (1.20) for the full process.

Important distinction: If your application is denied at initial authorization (you were applying for the first time or for the first time after a gap), childcare services are not available while your appeal is pending. This is different from termination, where services can continue during appeal.

What You Cannot Be Denied For

You cannot be denied for:

• Failure to report a temporary change
• Parent fee balances incurred between March 2019 and February 2021

Special Cases

Denied at reauthorization: If you are denied at reauthorization (renewal) rather than initial authorization, different rules apply — see Your Voucher Was Terminated (1.19), because the practical effect is similar to a termination of existing services.

Denied for failure to submit documentation at reauthorization: If you were denied because you didn't submit reauthorization paperwork on time, you are not eligible for EEC's appeal process. However, if you provide documentation within 60 days of your last day of care, you may be reauthorized.

DTA or DCF referral denied: If DTA denied your childcare referral, you appeal through the DTA Fair Hearing Process. If DCF denied your referral, you appeal through the DCF Fair Hearing Process. These are separate from EEC's review process.

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Next Steps

• Received a denial notice? Read the reason carefully — some denials are fixable by providing missing documentation
• Want to appeal? See How to Appeal (1.20) — you have 30 days from the notice to file
• Missing documentation? See What Documents Do I Need? (1.4)
• Owe a fee balance? You may be able to set up a repayment plan — see Parent Fees (1.8)
• Need legal help? Contact Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) or your local legal aid
• Contact your CCR&R to understand your specific denial and what options you have