Income-eligible child care is subsidized child care for low-income non-TAFDC families who are working or looking for work, or in an education or job training program. Families with a disabled parent or child also qualify. Child care is provided for children under 13 (or older with special needs). … Families may choose a contracted slot with a specific child care provider, or a voucher that allows them to select from a variety of child care providers.
ELIGIBILITY
General Requirements
- Resident of Massachusetts
- Parent or caretaker of a child under 12 or an older child with special needs
- Show a need for childcare because of qualifing activities
- Meet financial guidelines
NOTE: Individuals who are receiving TAFDC (or have within the last 12 months) are not eligible for income-eligible childcare, but may be eligible for DTA child care.
Immigration status is not used to determine eligibility. Applicants will be asked for a social security number, but those who do not provide one will not be denied services.
Non-immigrants on student visas are not eligible for childcare based on their student-status
Qualifying Activites
Childcare is only subsidized for certain activities, these are:
- Looking for a job (8 weeks maximum)
- Working (full or part time)
- Maternity leave (12 weeks maximum)
- Education or training program
- Parent/caretaker or child has special needs (certified by a doctor or clinic)
| NOTE: As of Nov. 2006, a parent enrolled in 12 credit hours or more of college classes is eligible for FULL-TIME childcare |
If a two parent family, both must show childcare need due to qualifying activities.
Income guidelines
NOTE: Families headed by caretakers are exempt from income limits
Income guidelines are different for families in which parents or children have disabilities and families in which parents/children do no have disabilities.
The first threshold is gross family income at time of application – this determines whether or not a family may apply. The second is an income cap for families in the program. Family income may increase above the application threshold while a family is receiving assistance, but once it reaches another threshold, they lose eligibility for childcare assistance.
Gross Monthly Income Limits – Time of Application
| Family Members |
|
2 |
|
3 |
|
4 |
|
5 |
|
6 |
| Without Disability |
|
$1954 |
|
$2414 |
|
$2874 |
|
$3333 |
|
$3793 |
| With Disability |
|
$3322 |
|
$4104 |
|
$4885 |
|
$5667 |
|
$6433 |
Gross Monthly Income Limits – Lose eligibility at:
| Family Members |
|
2 |
|
3 |
|
4 |
|
5 |
|
6 |
| Without Disability |
|
$3322 |
|
$4104 |
|
$4885 |
|
$5667 |
|
$6433 |
| With Disability |
|
$3908 |
|
$4828 |
|
$5745 |
|
$6666 |
|
$7586 |
Counted Income
- Wages or salary
- Self-employment income
- Social Security benefits
- Interest and dividends
- Rental Income
- Pensions and annuities
- Unemployment compensation
- Alimony and child support
- Public assistance payments
Non-counted Income
- Money from the sale of property
- Tax refunds
- Gifts
- Cash value of food stamps
- Loans or grants that cannot be used for living expenses
- Income from children under 18
Eligibility is determined by Child Resource and Referral Agency at which you apply, if you apply for a voucher.
If you apply for a contracted spot, the eligibility will be determined by the child care provider
All providers and agencies use the eligibility rules set by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care.
Eligibility must be reviewed annually. You will need to provide documentation of continued eligibility at that time.
Any change in income, service need, residence or family size must be reported to the Child Resource and Referral Agency or contracted provider within two weeks
APPLICATION
Apply at local Child Care Resource & Referral Agency
Franklin County Child Care Outlook
393 Main St.
Greenfield
413.774.2318
www.fcac.net
Hampden County Preschool Enrichment Team
Stearns Building
293 Bridge Street, Suite 322
Springfield
413.736.3900
Preschoolenrichmentteam.org
New England Farmworkers Council
Child Care Voucher Management Agency
205 High Street
Holyoke, MA
413.322.0200
Hampshire County Child Care Outlook
The Vernon Street School
56 Vernon St.
Northampton
1.877.366.9096
New England Farmworkers Council
1628-1640 Main St.
Springfield
413.272.2207
Partnersforcommunity.org
Complete list at: http://www.eec.state.ma.us/kr_resource.aspx
These agencies may also be able to provide information on contracted spots at local providers.
Your childcare counselor may do a preliminary eligibility check, but not a complete application, before adding your name to the waiting list. When your name reaches the top of the list the complete, documented application must be submitted.
DOCUMENTATION
Applicants will need to show some or all of the following:
- Personal Identification(Photo ID required, plus one more form of ID)
- Proof of Relationship to Child
- Proof of Address
- Proof of Disability (if applicable)
- Proof of Guardianship (if applicable)
- Proof of Income
- Proof of service need
- Proof of priority status (if applicable)
BENEFITS
Childcare assistance is provided as a voucher or a contracted spot.
A voucher can be used at many childcare facilities, including in-home care: the state pays the difference between the sliding scale fee and the actual cost. The voucher program is administered by Child Resource and Referral agencies.
A contracted spot is reserved by a childcare provider for families receiving state assistance, a Child Resource and Referral agency can provide information of which providers have contracted spots, but eligibility, fees etc. are administered directly by the provider.
Parents determine the type of childcare. It may be:
- Group Childcare: Includes daycare centers, nursery schools and pre-schools. Licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education , they must meet state standards for health, safety and education.
- School-age child care: For children age 5-12. Open before and/or afterschool and during school vacations or holidays. Licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education , they must meet state standards for health, safety and education.
- Family child care: Childcare provided in the care-givers home, for up to 6 children (or 10 with an assistant) at one time. Some providers are more likely to have flexible hours including evening and weekends. Licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education , they must meet state standards for health, safety and education.
- Informal child care: Provided in the child’s home, or by a relative in the relative’s home. Caregivers must be at least 18 years old and provide identification, a Social Security number and proof of address. Relatives must show proof of relationship to the child.Non-relatives must undergo a CORI (criminal background check) There must be no more that 6 children in the home. These providers must register with the state, but they ARE NOT licensed.
Your Childcare Resource and Referral agency can provide information on childcare providers in you area.
The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care provides a childcare search at its website: http://www.eec.state.ma.us/index.aspx
Waiting List
There is frequently a waiting list for child care vouchers. It may be up to two years.
Some families may get priority on the waiting list.
First Priority: Families already receiving assistance, as long as the parent continues to work and meets income guidelines.
Other Priority Groups:
- Former TAFDC families who received but not longer qualify for DTA childcare
- Families who have recently moved to the area and received subsidized childcare in previous community
- Families with children who left childcare within the last 3 months and want to re-enroll.
- Families who have been receiving subsidized childcare for one child, and now have another child who needs care.
Each childcare provider with contracted spots maintains their own waiting list.
- Full time care is provided only if the parent(s) can demonstrate a need for childcare more that 30 hours/week. In other cases part-time care will be provided.
- Childcare more than 10 hours per day or 50 hours per week will not be provided without special approval from the Department of Early Education and Care
FEES
Fees are based on a sliding scale
Family Gross Monthly Income
--FEE--Family of 2Family of 3Family of 4Family of 5
| $00.00 |
|
$0.00-$971 |
|
$0.00-$1180 |
|
$0.00-$1421 |
|
$0.00-$1663 |
| $10.00 |
|
$972-1095 |
|
$1181-$1260 |
|
$1422-$1499 |
|
$1662-$1739 |
| $15.00 |
|
$1096-$1219 |
|
$1261-$1340 |
|
$1500-$1575 |
|
$1740-$1825 |
| $22.50 |
|
$1220-$1380 |
|
$1341-$1420 |
|
$1576-$1675 |
|
$1826-$1900 |
| $27.50 |
|
$1381-$1457 |
|
$1421-$1529 |
|
$1676-$1799 |
|
$1901-$2087 |
| $32.50 |
|
$1458-$1540 |
|
$1530-$1675 |
|
$1800-$1900 |
|
$2088-$2150 |
| $37.50 |
|
$1541-$1634 |
|
$1676-$1760 |
|
$1901-$2000 |
|
$2151-$2260 |
| $40.00 |
|
$1635-$1725 |
|
$1761-$1850 |
|
$2001-$2175 |
|
$2261-$2435 |
| $42.50 |
|
$1726-$1843 |
|
$1851-$1931 |
|
$2176-$2250 |
|
$2436-$2550 |
| $45.00 |
|
$1844-$1986 |
|
$1932-$2414 |
|
$2251-$2874 |
|
$2551-$3333 |
| $62.50 |
|
$1987-$2186 |
|
$2415-$2476 |
|
$2875-$3130 |
|
$3334-$3550 |
| $75.00 |
|
$2187-$2286 |
|
$2477-$2676 |
|
$3131-$3340 |
|
$3551-$3800 |
| $82.50 |
|
$2287-$2429 |
|
$2677-$2876 |
|
$3341-$3550 |
|
$3801-$4100 |
| $87.50 |
|
$2430-$2573 |
|
$2877-$3076 |
|
$3551-$3760 |
|
$4101-$4363 |
| $95.00 |
|
$2574-$2717 |
|
$3077-$3277 |
|
$3761-$3970 |
|
$4364-$4607 |
| $102.50 |
|
$2718-$2860 |
|
$3278-$3477 |
|
$3971-$4180 |
|
$4608-$4851 |
| $110.00 |
|
$2861-$3004 |
|
$3478-$3677 |
|
$4181-$4490 |
|
$4852-$5095 |
| $115.00 |
|
$3005-$3132 |
|
$3678-$3869 |
|
$4491-$4606 |
|
$5096-$5342 |
| $120.00 |
|
$3133-$3322 |
|
$3870-$4104 |
|
$4607-$4885 |
|
$5343-$5667 |
| $125.00 |
|
$3323-$3410 |
|
$4105-$4210 |
|
$4886-$5012 |
|
$5668-$5812 |
| $130.00 |
|
$3411-$3549 |
|
$4211-$4380 |
|
$5013-$5214 |
|
$5813-$6047 |
| $135.00 |
|
$3550-$3685 |
|
$4381-$4551 |
|
$5215-$5418 |
|
$6048-$6285 |
| $140.00 |
|
$3686-$3908 |
|
$4552-$4828 |
|
$5419-$5747 |
|
$6286-$6666 |
$145.00$3909-$4884$4829-$6034$5748-$7183$6667-$8332
| $150.00 |
|
$4885and up |
|
$6035and up |
|
$7184and up |
|
$8333and up |
|Reading this table:
Start with the number of family members, read down the column until you find the correct income bracket (gross monthly income). The fee for that income bracket/family size is left-most column.
So: A family with three members with a gross income of $1950 would has a full-time fee of $45. So does a family of two making $1850 or a family of four making $2350)|
Part-time fees are calculated as a percent of full-time fees.
Multiple children:
1st child Full fee
2nd child ½ of fee
Each additional child ¼ of fee each
USING BENEFITS
VOUCHERS
If you have not already done so, you will be required to complete an application and submit appropriate documents when your name reaches the top of the waiting list. They will make an official determination of eligibility at this time.
The parent or caretaker is responsible for locating childcare. A counselor at the Child Care Resource and Referral Agency can explain the different types of childcare, and give you a list of childcare providers in the area.
Once you have located a provider who accepts vouchers and has space, the Child Care Resource and Referral Agency will issue the voucher. The parent/caretaker is responsible for taking it to the childcare provider to start the program.
The parental portion of the fees must be paid, on-time, to the provider.
CONRACTED SLOTS
Parents/Caretakers must contact the provider directly to enroll your child
The provider will give you applicable rules and determine the fee you must pay. This fee is due directly to them.
ATTENDENCE
To maintain your voucher, your child must meet state attendance guidelines.
If your child is absent 11 or more times (for any reason) within a 30-day period, the parent/guardian will be contacted by your provider or Child Care Resource and Referral Agency to determine if you still need child care.
The parent or guardian will be contacted by the provider or Child Care Resource and Referral Agency if a child has more than 3 unexplained absences in a row.
Children may be absent for illness, emergency and up to two weeks vacation per year as “explained absences”
Assistance can be terminated if the contracted provider or Child Care Resource and Referral Agency determines that a family does not need, or is misusing childcare subsidy.
RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES
Parents have the right to:
- Know all of their childcare options
- Counseling and referral from their Child Care Resource and Referral Agency
- Chose the type of child care their child will receive
- Change childcare providers
- Maintain a childcare subsidy until the child turns 12 (unless they have disabilities) or they no longer meet the eligibility criteria
- Keep a child in childcare while taking up to 8 weeks maternity leave
Parents are responsible for:
- Providing accurate information, and reporting any changes in income, family size, employment or other factors that could effect eligibility
- Following all rules set by child care provider
- Meeting attendance policies
- Paying their portion of the fees on time
- Giving two-weeks notice before changing providers
APPEALS
You can challenge:
- Denial of benefits
- Reduction or cessation of benefits
- Incorrect fees
You may not challenge the content (reasonableness, fairness, legality etc.) of laws or regulations through this procedure, only whether they were incorrectly applied to you.
You must file a Request for Review, in writing, within 30 days.
http://1.1.1.1/442770860/396591112T061221092410.txt.binXMysM0dapplication/pdfXsysM0dhttp://www.eec.state.ma.us/docs/IERequestReview.pdf
You can also obtain this form from a Child Care Resource and Referral Agency or contracted provider.
The Request for Review form must be returned to
Review Officer
Department of Early Education & Care
51 Sleeper Street – 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02210
A copy should also be sent to the appropriate Child Care Resource and Referral Agency or contracted provider
If you continue to receive subsidized child care while your case is under review, and you are found to have been ineligible for that care, you may be held financially responsible for the costs.
If you do not agree with the decision of the Review Officer, you can request an appeals hearing.
Call the Department of Early Education & Care Review Office for information on filing an appeal.
Useful Links:
http://www.massresources.org/area_assistance.cfm?pageID=8&MainPage='yes'
Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC)
http://www.eec.state.ma.us/
Childcare Resource and Referral Network http://www.masschildcare.org/local_ccrr.html
CHILDCARE.doc
Flyer with information on ELIGIBILITY for childcare vouchers as a word document (Last updated Oct. 2006) .
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