Implement Rhode Island CCAP by hua7450 · Pull Request #7739 · PolicyEngine/policyengine-us

hua7450 · 2026-03-09T14:33:14Z

Summary

Implements Rhode Island's Starting RIght Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) in PolicyEngine, covering eligibility determination, income testing, co-payment calculation, provider rate caps, and subsidy computation.

Closes #7738

Regulatory Authority

218-RICR-20-00-4 -- CCAP Rules and Regulations (primary regulation, all sections)
2026 Family Income Co-Pay Chart -- FPL bracket thresholds and co-share percentages (effective 02/15/2026)
Licensed Center Weekly Rates -- Center provider rates (effective 07/01/2025)
Licensed Family Weekly Rates -- Family provider rates (effective 07/01/2024)
Licensed Exempt Weekly Rates -- Exempt provider rates (effective 01/01/2022)
R.I. Gen. Laws Ch. 40-6.2 -- Authorizing statute

Income Eligibility Tests

Initial Eligibility: <= 261% FPL

New applicants must have gross countable income at or below 261% of the Federal Poverty Level.

Source: 218-RICR-20-00-4, Section 4.6.1.A

Transitional Eligibility: <= 300% FPL (enrolled families only)

Families already receiving CCAP whose income rises above 261% FPL may continue receiving benefits up to 300% FPL at recertification. Uses ri_ccap_enrolled input variable to distinguish applicants from recipients.

Source: 218-RICR-20-00-4, Section 4.6.1.A.1

Exit Threshold: > 300% FPL

Benefits terminate when income exceeds 300% FPL.

Source: 218-RICR-20-00-4, Section 4.6.1.A

Asset Test: <= $1,000,000

Family assets (vehicles excl. primary, real estate excl. primary residence, cash, bank accounts, investments) must not exceed $1,000,000.

Source: 218-RICR-20-00-4, Section 4.6.1.B

Child Age Eligibility

Under age 13 (base)
Under age 18 if disabled (exception for children with documented physical/mental disability incapable of self-care)
Source: 218-RICR-20-00-4, Section 4.3.1.A.1

Immigration Status (child only)

Child must be a US citizen or qualified immigrant. Parent citizenship is NOT required.

Source: 218-RICR-20-00-4, Section 4.3.1.A.4

RI Works (TANF) Categorical Eligibility

RI Works recipients are categorically eligible, bypassing income and asset tests, with $0 co-payment.

Source: 218-RICR-20-00-4, Section 4.5

Income Deductions & Exemptions

RI CCAP uses gross countable income with NO earned income disregards or deductions. The only adjustments are excluded income types (omitted from the countable income sources list).

Countable Income Sources

Gross wages/salary, self-employment AGI, Social Security (RSDI), SSI, dividends, interest, rental income, pensions/annuities, veterans benefits, military retirement, unemployment compensation, workers' compensation, alimony, and child support received.

Source: 218-RICR-20-00-4, Section 4.2, Definition 30

Excluded Income (omitted from sources list)

USDA foods, relocation assistance, student financial aid, tribal payments, foster grandparent payments, SNAP, housing subsidies, home energy assistance, college work study, dependent child earned income, WIOA payments, EITC refunds, SSA PASS/IRWE, Veterans Aid/Attendant Allowances, Americorps/VISTA, RI Works cash assistance, Veterans Disability Pension, and others.

Source: 218-RICR-20-00-4, Section 4.2, Definition 23

Co-Payment Schedule

One co-payment per family regardless of number of children enrolled.

Level	FPL Range	Co-Share Rate
0	<= 100% FPL	0% of gross income
1	> 100% to <= 125% FPL	2% of gross income
2	> 125% to <= 150% FPL	5% of gross income
3	> 150% to <= 261% FPL	7% of gross income
4 (Transitional)	> 261% to <= 300% FPL	7% of gross income

Special $0 co-payment for:

RI Works (TANF) recipients (Section 4.5.4.A.1)
Housing insecure families (Section 4.5.4.B)

Source: 218-RICR-20-00-4, Section 4.6.1.C; 2026 Co-Pay Chart

Benefit Calculation

CCAP Subsidy = min(max(childcare_expenses - copay, 0), max_weekly_rate * 52)

Where:

childcare_expenses = spm_unit_pre_subsidy_childcare_expenses (annual)
copay = co-share rate * ri_ccap_countable_income (annual, at SPM unit level)
max_weekly_rate = sum of per-child maximum weekly rates based on provider type, star/step rating, age category, and time authorization

Sources: 218-RICR-20-00-4, Section 4.12; Center Rates; Family Rates; Exempt Rates

Provider Rate Tables

Licensed Centers (July 2025) -- 80 rate cells

4 age categories (Infant/Toddler/Preschool/School Age) x 5 star ratings x 4 time authorizations

Source: Licensed Center Rates

Licensed Family (July 2024) -- 60 rate cells

3 age categories (Infant-Toddler/Preschool/School Age) x 5 star ratings x 4 time authorizations

Source: Licensed Family Rates

Licensed Exempt (January 2022) -- 48 rate cells

3 age categories (Infant-Toddler/Preschool/School Age) x 4 step ratings x 4 time authorizations

Source: Licensed Exempt Rates

Time Authorization Levels

Level	Hours/Week
Full Time (FT)	30+
Three Quarter Time (3QT)	20-29
Half Time (HT)	10-19
Quarter Time (QT)	0-9

Source: 218-RICR-20-00-4, Section 4.7.1.A.2

Requirements Coverage

REQ	Description	Parameter	Variable	Test
REQ-002	Child max age < 13	`age_threshold/child.yaml`	`ri_ccap_eligible_child.py`	`ri_ccap_eligible_child.yaml`
REQ-003	Disabled child age < 18	`age_threshold/disabled_child.yaml`	`ri_ccap_eligible_child.py`	`ri_ccap_eligible_child.yaml`
REQ-006	Child citizen/qualified immigrant	`qualified_immigration_statuses.yaml`	`ri_ccap_immigration_status_eligible_child.py`	`ri_ccap_immigration_status_eligible_child.yaml`
REQ-007	Parent citizenship not required	--	`ri_ccap_immigration_status_eligible_child.py` (child-only)	`ri_ccap_eligible_child.yaml`
REQ-008	Initial eligibility <= 261% FPL	`income/fpl_rate/initial_eligibility.yaml`	`ri_ccap_income_eligible.py`	`ri_ccap_income_eligible.yaml`
REQ-009	Transitional eligibility <= 300% FPL	`income/fpl_rate/transitional.yaml`	`ri_ccap_income_eligible.py`, `ri_ccap_enrolled.py`	`ri_ccap_income_eligible.yaml`
REQ-010	Exit threshold > 300% FPL	--	`ri_ccap_income_eligible.py`	`ri_ccap_income_eligible.yaml`
REQ-012	Countable income (gross sources)	`income/countable_income/sources.yaml`	`ri_ccap_countable_income.py`	`ri_ccap_income_eligible.yaml`
REQ-013	Excluded income types	`income/countable_income/sources.yaml` (comments)	`ri_ccap_countable_income.py` (omits excluded)	implicit
REQ-014	No deductions on gross income	--	`ri_ccap_countable_income.py` (adds only, no subtracts)	implicit
REQ-016	Asset test <= $1,000,000	`assets/limit.yaml`, `assets/sources.yaml`	`ri_ccap_asset_eligible.py`, `ri_ccap_assets.py`	`ri_ccap_asset_eligible.yaml`
REQ-022	RI Works categorical eligibility	--	`ri_ccap_eligible.py`	`ri_ccap_eligible.yaml`, `ri_ccap.yaml`
REQ-024	Co-share 0%/2%/5%/7% by FPL	`copay/rate.yaml`	`ri_ccap_fpl_copay_rate.py`	`ri_ccap_fpl_copay_rate.yaml`
REQ-025	One co-payment per family	--	`ri_ccap_copay.py` (SPMUnit-level)	`ri_ccap_copay.yaml`
REQ-027	RI Works $0 co-payment	--	`ri_ccap_copay.py`	`ri_ccap_copay.yaml`
REQ-028	Housing insecure $0 co-payment	--	`ri_ccap_copay.py`	`ri_ccap_copay.yaml`
REQ-029	Subsidy = expenses - copay, capped at rate	--	`ri_ccap.py`	`ri_ccap.yaml`, `integration.yaml`
REQ-030	Licensed center rates (80 cells)	`rates/center.yaml`	`ri_ccap_maximum_weekly_benefit.py`	`ri_ccap_maximum_weekly_benefit.yaml`
REQ-031	Licensed family rates (60 cells)	`rates/family.yaml`	`ri_ccap_maximum_weekly_benefit.py`	`ri_ccap_maximum_weekly_benefit.yaml`
REQ-032	Licensed exempt rates (48 cells)	`rates/exempt.yaml`	`ri_ccap_maximum_weekly_benefit.py`	`ri_ccap_maximum_weekly_benefit.yaml`
REQ-033	Time authorization FT/3QT/HT/QT	`time_authorization/thresholds.yaml`	`ri_ccap_time_category.py`	`ri_ccap_time_category.yaml`
REQ-040	2026 FPL via federal spm_unit_fpg	--	`ri_ccap_income_eligible.py`	`ri_ccap_income_eligible.yaml`

22/22 in-scope requirements covered.

Not Modeled

REQ	Description	Reason
REQ-001	Child min age >= 6 weeks	Too granular for microsimulation
REQ-004	Age 13 during certification period	Certification period timing not modeled
REQ-005	RI residency	Handled via `defined_for = StateCode.RI`
REQ-011	85% SMI reporting trigger	Administrative reporting requirement
REQ-015	Prospective budgeting (weekly x 4.3333)	PolicyEngine uses annual income
REQ-017	Activity req: employment 20 hrs/wk	Work hours not tracked in microsim
REQ-018	Activity req: education 20 hrs/wk	Education hours not tracked in microsim
REQ-019	Activity req: college 7 credits	Credit hours not tracked in microsim
REQ-020	Two-parent both meet 20 hrs	Work hours not tracked in microsim
REQ-021	Child support cooperation	Administrative requirement
REQ-023	RI Works two-parent employment plans	Administrative requirement
REQ-026	Co-share assigned to youngest child	Provider-level distribution; SPMUnit total is what matters
REQ-034	Travel time addition up to 1 hr/day	Administrative adjustment
REQ-035	Financial unit definition	SPM unit used as proxy
REQ-036	24-month certification period	Temporal/administrative
REQ-037	Job search 3-month temp authorization	Time-limited administrative provision
REQ-038	Change in status 3-month grace	Time-limited administrative provision
REQ-039	Health condition 6-month extension	Time-limited administrative provision

Files Added

Parameters (16 files)

policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/ri/dhs/ccap/
  age_threshold/
    child.yaml                          # Max age 13
    disabled_child.yaml                 # Max age 18 (disabled)
  age_group/
    center/
      infant_max.yaml                   # Center infant age boundary
      toddler_max.yaml                  # Center toddler age boundary
    family/
      infant_toddler_max.yaml           # Family infant/toddler age boundary
  assets/
    limit.yaml                          # $1,000,000
    sources.yaml                        # Asset variable list
  copay/
    rate.yaml                           # Scale: FPL ratio -> 0%/2%/5%/7%
  income/
    countable_income/
      sources.yaml                      # 14 income variable list
    fpl_rate/
      initial_eligibility.yaml          # 2.61
      transitional.yaml                 # 3.00
  rates/
    center.yaml                         # 80 cells (4 age x 5 star x 4 time)
    family.yaml                         # 60 cells (3 age x 5 star x 4 time)
    exempt.yaml                         # 48 cells (3 age x 4 step x 4 time)
  time_authorization/
    thresholds.yaml                     # FT/3QT/HT/QT hour thresholds
  qualified_immigration_statuses.yaml   # Qualified immigration status list

Variables (19 files)

policyengine_us/variables/gov/states/ri/dhs/ccap/
  ri_ccap.py                            # Main benefit (SPMUnit)
  ri_child_care_subsidies.py            # Aggregator for childcare_expenses.py
  ri_ccap_countable_income.py           # Gross income (adds pattern)
  ri_ccap_assets.py                     # Asset calculation
  ri_ccap_enrolled.py                   # Bare input: enrolled flag
  ri_ccap_provider_type.py              # Enum: center/family/exempt
  ri_ccap_star_rating.py                # Input: 1-5 star rating
  ri_ccap_step_rating.py                # Input: 1-4 step rating
  ri_ccap_time_category.py              # Derived: FT/3QT/HT/QT
  ri_ccap_center_age_group.py           # Center age category
  ri_ccap_family_age_group.py           # Family/exempt age category
  ri_ccap_maximum_weekly_benefit.py     # Per-child max rate lookup
  eligibility/
    ri_ccap_eligible.py                 # Overall eligibility (SPMUnit)
    ri_ccap_eligible_child.py           # Child eligibility (Person)
    ri_ccap_income_eligible.py          # Income test with entry/transitional
    ri_ccap_asset_eligible.py           # Asset test
    ri_ccap_immigration_status_eligible_child.py  # Child immigration check
  copay/
    ri_ccap_copay.py                    # Family copay (SPMUnit)
    ri_ccap_fpl_copay_rate.py           # Copay rate by FPL bracket

Tests (22 files)

policyengine_us/tests/policy/baseline/gov/states/ri/dhs/ccap/
  ri_ccap.yaml                          # 6 benefit cases
  ri_ccap_time_category.yaml            # 10 time authorization cases
  ri_ccap_center_age_group.yaml         # Center age group cases
  ri_ccap_family_age_group.yaml         # Family age group cases
  ri_ccap_maximum_weekly_benefit.yaml   # 12 rate lookup cases
  integration.yaml                      # 7 end-to-end scenarios
  eligibility/
    ri_ccap_eligible.yaml               # Overall eligibility cases
    ri_ccap_eligible_child.yaml         # Child age + disability cases
    ri_ccap_income_eligible.yaml        # FPL threshold cases
    ri_ccap_asset_eligible.yaml         # Asset test cases
    ri_ccap_immigration_status_eligible_child.yaml  # Immigration cases
  copay/
    ri_ccap_copay.yaml                  # Copay calculation cases
    ri_ccap_fpl_copay_rate.yaml         # FPL rate bracket cases
  edge_cases/
    ri_ccap.yaml                        # Benefit edge cases
    ri_ccap_eligible_child.yaml         # Child eligibility boundaries
    ri_ccap_time_category.yaml          # Time category boundaries
    ri_ccap_eligible.yaml               # Eligibility edge cases
    ri_ccap_copay.yaml                  # Copay edge cases
    ri_ccap_maximum_weekly_benefit.yaml # Rate lookup edge cases
    ri_ccap_asset_eligible.yaml         # Asset test boundaries
    ri_ccap_income_eligible.yaml        # Income threshold boundaries
    ri_ccap_fpl_copay_rate.yaml         # Copay rate boundaries

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

codecov · 2026-03-09T15:52:20Z

Codecov Report

✅ All modified and coverable lines are covered by tests.
✅ Project coverage is 100.00%. Comparing base (406df75) to head (0fc3a86).
⚠️ Report is 111 commits behind head on main.

Additional details and impacted files

@@            Coverage Diff             @@
##              main     #7739    +/-   ##
==========================================
  Coverage   100.00%   100.00%            
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  Files            1        20    +19     
  Lines           23       294   +271     
  Branches         1         0     -1     
==========================================
+ Hits            23       294   +271

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…SDI/survivors income - disabled_child.yaml: keep value at 18 (matches law), fix formula to use <= instead of < - sources.yaml: add social_security_disability and social_security_survivors (RSDI) - Update tests for corrected disabled child age boundary Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

…into ri-ccap

hua7450 and others added 3 commits March 9, 2026 10:33

Initialize RI CCAP implementation

a62d7d2

Implement Rhode Island CCAP (ref PolicyEngine#7738)

982d675

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

Add changelog fragment for RI CCAP

80b59a2

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

hua7450 and others added 3 commits March 9, 2026 12:05

Add lessons from Rhode Island CCAP implementation

f8a36c8

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

Merge branch 'main' of https://github.com/PolicyEngine/policyengine-us …

0fc3a86

…into ri-ccap

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Implement Rhode Island CCAP#7739

Implement Rhode Island CCAP#7739
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Summary

Regulatory Authority

Income Eligibility Tests

Initial Eligibility: <= 261% FPL

Transitional Eligibility: <= 300% FPL (enrolled families only)

Exit Threshold: > 300% FPL

Asset Test: <= $1,000,000

Child Age Eligibility

Immigration Status (child only)

RI Works (TANF) Categorical Eligibility

Income Deductions & Exemptions

Countable Income Sources

Excluded Income (omitted from sources list)

Co-Payment Schedule

Benefit Calculation

Provider Rate Tables

Licensed Centers (July 2025) -- 80 rate cells

Licensed Family (July 2024) -- 60 rate cells

Licensed Exempt (January 2022) -- 48 rate cells

Time Authorization Levels

Requirements Coverage

Not Modeled

Files Added

Parameters (16 files)

Variables (19 files)

Tests (22 files)

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hua7450 commented Mar 9, 2026 •

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