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There is no single national document checklist used by every Head Start program.
The local program decides what records it needs to verify your child's age and your family's eligibility under federal Head Start rules.
Depending on your situation, you may be asked for documents related to your child's age, household income, public assistance, foster care, homelessness, family size, or pregnancy for applicable Early Head Start services.
Possible records may include a birth certificate, hospital record, passport, or another official document showing date of birth. Ask the program which documents it accepts.
If you are qualifying through household income, the program may request records such as:
The program may use different documentation for irregular, seasonal, self-employment, or difficult-to-document income.
If you qualify because your family receives public assistance, the program may ask for proof of participation in TANF, SSI, or SNAP.
Possible evidence may include a benefit letter, eligibility notice, current program record, or another official document.
For a child in foster care, the program may request documentation showing placement or foster-care status from a child welfare agency, court, caseworker, or other authorized source.
Families experiencing homelessness may not have a lease, utility bill, permanent mailing address, or complete income records.
Do not let that stop you from applying. Tell staff where you are currently staying, why the arrangement is temporary or unstable, and what documents you do have.
Some Early Head Start programs serve pregnant women or expectant families and may request documentation related to pregnancy and anticipated delivery date.
Health records are important for enrollment and ongoing Head Start health services, but they are different from the documents used to establish financial eligibility.
A program may ask for immunization records, health examination information, dental records, medication information, or developmental and disability-related records.
Ask what must be provided at application, what is needed before attendance, and what can be completed after enrollment.
Contact the program anyway. Explain what you have and ask what alternative records can establish your child's age.
Tell the program. Head Start staff must follow federal requirements for determining and documenting income and may use allowable alternative verification methods.
Possible records may include a tax return, business records, income statements, or other documentation requested by the program.
If you provide documents, keep copies or photographs for your records when appropriate. Protect sensitive information, especially Social Security numbers or financial records.
You do not need all of these in every case, but it can be useful to know what you already have:
Document requirements vary, and families should not assume a Social Security card is universally required. Ask the local program what it needs.
Programs may need information about where you live and whether you are in their service area, but families experiencing homelessness may not have traditional proof of address.
Contact the program. Health-document requirements and eligibility-document requirements are not identical.
Tell the program how you are paid and ask what alternative documentation it accepts.
Only use submission methods the official program tells you are secure and appropriate.