If you are found to have committed an Intentional Program Violation (IPV) or Substantiated Fraud, you may face a disqualification period — time during which you are not eligible for childcare assistance. This page explains how the sanction system works and what triggers it.

Two Sanction Tracks

The system has two separate escalation paths depending on the type of violation:

Track 1: General IPVs (Not Fee-Related)

These are violations like failing to report a mandatory change, providing inaccurate information, or other program violations that are not about parent fees.

Offense	Consequence
First IPV	Warning notification — no disqualification, but you're on notice
Second IPV	12-month disqualification from the date of termination (or until any related debt is repaid, whichever is longer)
Third IPV	24-month disqualification (or until debt repaid, whichever is longer)
Fourth+ IPV or Substantiated Fraud	36-month disqualification (or until debt repaid, whichever is longer)

After your disqualification period ends, you are eligible to return to the waitlist or may return to care if eligible through a DTA or DCF referral.

Track 2: Fee Non-Payment

Fee-related violations follow a different process (detailed in Parent Fees (1.8)):

1. Provider issues a written warning that payment is due
2. If you pay before the next due date → no further action, no IPV
3. If you don't pay → the provider can offer a repayment plan OR issue a termination notice
4. If you agree to a repayment plan and follow it → no further action, no IPV
5. If no payment and no repayment plan → 14-day termination notice is issued
6. If you don't pay the balance within 14 days → services terminated, IPV issued

After termination for non-payment, you can return to care (or the waitlist) once the unpaid balance is paid in full.

How Sanctions Are Imposed

1. Your CCR&R flags the potential IPV to EEC's Financial Assistance Unit
2. EEC reviews the situation and determines whether a sanction applies
3. EEC issues a written notice of the sanction to you, copying your CCR&R
4. The notice informs you of your appeal rights

If you don't appeal, the sanction takes effect as stated in the notice.

Exemptions

The following families are exempt from sanctions while their case is active:

Situation	Exemption details
Active TAFDC case with DTA referral	Sanction exemption lasts until TAFDC case closes or DTA-related authorization ends, whichever is later. Time under DTA care does NOT count toward the sanction period. Any sanction must be completed before transitional or income-eligible care can begin.
Active DCF referral	Sanction exemption lasts until DCF case closes or DCF-related authorization (including transitional) ends, whichever is later. Time under DCF care does NOT count toward the sanction period.

Custody changes: Sanctions stay with the parent who received them — they do not follow the child to a new custodial parent.

Your Right to Appeal

You can appeal any sanction through EEC's review process. See How to Appeal (1.20).

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Next Steps

• Received an IPV warning? Take it seriously — the next one triggers disqualification
• Facing a fee-related termination? Ask your provider about a repayment plan before the termination notice is issued — see Parent Fees (1.8)
• Want to appeal a sanction? See How to Appeal (1.20) — you have the right to challenge it
• Serving a disqualification? Contact your CCR&R to understand when you become eligible again
• Need legal help? Contact Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) or your local legal aid