---
kind: "section"
citation: "45 C.F.R. § 261.15"
title: "45"
number: "261.15"
heading: "Can a family be penalized if a parent refuses to work because he or she cannot find child care?"
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/45/261.15"
---

# §261.15. Can a family be penalized if a parent refuses to work because he or she cannot find child care?

- (a) No, the State may not reduce or terminate assistance based on an individual's refusal to engage in required work if the individual is a single custodial parent caring for a child under age six who has a demonstrated inability to obtain needed child care, as specified at [§ 261.56](/cfr/45/261.56.md).
- (b) A State that fails to comply with the penalty exception at section 407(e)(2) of the Act and the requirements at [§ 261.56](/cfr/45/261.56.md) may be subject to the State penalty specified at [§ 261.57](/cfr/45/261.57.md).

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 601, 602, 607, and 609; Pub. L. 109-171.

### Source

Source: 64 FR 17884, Apr. 12, 1999, unless otherwise noted.