Childcare vouchers for recipients or recent recipients of TAFDC.
http://massresources.org/pages.cfm?contentID=25&pageID=8&Subpages=yes
- Parents who are recieving or have recieved assistance from TAFDC in the last year are eligible for childcare from the DTA, but NOT eligible for "regular" childcare vouchers INCOME ELIGIBLE CHILDCARE
- To apply, speak with a DTA caseworker
Holyoke:
71-100 Front Street
PO Box 1370
Holyoke, MA 01040
Ph: 413.552.5400
Fx: 413.784.1050
Hours: Mon-Fri. 7:45 am - 5:00 pm
Springfield:
310 State Street
Springfield, MA 01105
Ph. 413.858.1300
Fx. 413.784.1049
Hours: Mon-Fri. 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
95 Liberty Street
Springfield, MA 01103
Ph. 413.858.1000
Fx. 413.784.1044
Hours: Mon-Fri. 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
General Information
The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) provides low-cost or free childcare to familes on TAFDC and families who have recieved TAFDC within the last year. Like Income Eligible Childcare, this can take the form of either contract spots with local providers or vouchers which may be used with any childcare provider. There is no waiting period or waiting list.
This program is not the "regular" vouchers (Income Eligible Childcare), although it works similarly, they are funded and administered seperately.
Eligibility
General Requirements:
- Massachusetts residents
- U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Recieving TAFDC or recieved TAFDC in the last 12 months (or be a teen parent whose children recieve TAFDC but who do not recieve TAFDC themeselves because of SSI or foster-care eligibility)
- Employed, seeking work, or in an approved education/job training program
- Have a qualifying child in the home (below for which children qualify)
- Demonstrate a need for childcare
Citizenship:
Non-U.S. citizens may recieve DTA childcare only if they meet the TAFDC eligibility requirements. See: [TAFDC]
Eligibile Children
OR
- Older than 12 with special needs
AND meets one of the following:
- Is a dependent child who recieves TAFDC
- Is a child not eligible for TAFDC because of the family cap rule
- Is a child recieving SSI who would otherwise qualify for TAFDC
- Is a foster child
Financial Eligibility:
There are no seperate income limits for DTA childcare services.
Benefits
Childcare is provided as either a voucher or a contracted (reserved) spot at a local childcare provider.
Parents chose whether their children recieve:
- Center-based care
- Family care
- In-home care
- Care by a relative of the child
The number of hours of care provided will be determined by the DTA based on "service need"
If a parent shows a need for childcare more than 30 hours per week, they will be eligible for full-time care.
If a parent shows a need for less than 30 hours per week, they will recieve part-time care.
More than 50 hours of care per week or 10 hours per day will not be covered without special approval.
Costs
Free to families recieving TAFDC or with income below the federal poverty guideline
2007 Federal Poverty Guidelines
|
People in
Household
|
Income |
| 2 |
$13,690 |
|
3
|
$17,170 |
| 4 |
$20,650 |
| 5 |
$24,130 |
| 6 |
$27,610 |
| 7 |
$31,090 |
| 8 |
$34,570 |
|
Ea. additional
person
|
+ $3,480 |
Income from the following is counted:
wages/salary
self-employment income
Social Security benefits
interest and dividends
rental income
pensions and annuities
unemployment compensation
alimony and child support
public assistance payments
Income from the following is NOT counted:
- money from the sale of property
- tax refunds
- gifts
- cash value of food stamps
- loans and grants that cannot be used for living expenses
- income earned by children under 18
All other families pay fees based on income and family size. These fees are determined by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, for one child in full-time care.
Massachusetts Sliding Fee Scale for Child Care
(current as of 8/1/05)
Family Gross Monthly Income
| Income: Family of 2 |
Income: Family of 3 |
Income: Family of 4 |
Income: Family of 5 |
Weekly full-time fee |
| $0-$971 |
$0-$1180 |
$0-$1421 |
$0-$1663 |
$0.00 |
| $972-$1095 |
$1181-$1260 |
$1422-$1499 |
$1664-$1739 |
$10.00 |
| $1096-$1219 |
$1261-$1340 |
$1500-$1575 |
$1740-$1825 |
$15.00 |
| $1220-$1380 |
$1341-$1420 |
$1576-$1675 |
$1826-$1900 |
$22.50 |
| $1381-$1457 |
$1421-$1529 |
$1676-$1799 |
$1901-$2087 |
$27.50 |
| $1458-$1540 |
$1530-$1675 |
$1800-$1900 |
$2088-$2150 |
$32.50 |
| $1541-$1634 |
$1676-$1760 |
$1901-$2000 |
$2151-$2260 |
$37.50 |
| $1635-$1725 |
$1761-$1850 |
$2001-$2175 |
$2261-$2435 |
$40.00 |
| $1726-$1843 |
$1851-$1931 |
$2176-$2250 |
$2436-$2550 |
$42.50 |
| $1844-$1986 |
$1932-$2414 |
$2251-$2874 |
$2551-$3333 |
$45.00 |
| $1987-$2186 |
$2415-$2476 |
$2875-$3130 |
$3334-$3550 |
$62.50 |
| $2187-$2286 |
$2477-$2676 |
$3131-$3340 |
$3551-$3800 |
$75.00 |
| $2287-$2429 |
$2677-$2876 |
$3341-$3550 |
$3801-$4100 |
$82.50 |
| $2430-$2573 |
$2877-$3076 |
$3551-$3760 |
$4101-$4363 |
$87.50 |
| $2574-$2717 |
$3077-$3277 |
$3761-$3970 |
$4364-$4607 |
$95.00 |
| $2718-$2860 |
$3278-$3477 |
$3971-$4180 |
$4608-$4851 |
$102.50 |
| $2861-$3004 |
$3478-$3677 |
$4181-$4490 |
$4852-$5095 |
$110.00 |
| $3005-$3132 |
$3678-$3869 |
$4491-$4606 |
$5096-$5342 |
$115.00 |
| $3133-$3322 |
$3870-$4104 |
$4607-$4885 |
$5343-$5667 |
$120.00 |
| $3323-$3410 |
$4105-$4210 |
$4886-$5012 |
$5668-$5812 |
$125.00 |
| $3411-$3549 |
$4211-$4380 |
$5013-$5214 |
$5813-$6047 |
$130.00 |
| $3550-$3685 |
$4381-$4551 |
$5215-$5418 |
$6048-$6285 |
$135.00 |
| $3686-$3908 |
$4552-$4828 |
$5419-$5747 |
$6286-$6666 |
$140.00 |
| $3909-$4884 |
$4829-$6034 |
$5748-$7183 |
$6667-$8332 |
$145.00 |
| $4885 |
$6035 |
$7184 |
$8333 |
$150.00 |
The fee for part-time care is calculated as a fraction of full-time care.
So half-time care for one child from a family of two earning between $972-$1095 is 1/2 the full-time fee of $10 or $5 per week.
For families with multiple children recieving care:
First child = full fee
Second child = 1/2 fee
Each additional child = 1/4 fee.
So a family with three children in care pays a total of 1 3/4 of the fee.
Application
Speak to your DTA caseworker to apply. The DTA will determine your eligibility.
If you are eligible you will be given a written authorization for childcare showing the number of hours/days per week you will recieve vouchers for.
There is no waiting list for DTA childcare, your benefits will begin as soon as you are approved and locate a provider.
You will have to be re-approved every 6 months (in most cases)
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