As many families struggle to pay bills and make enough money to “keep their heads above water”, one necessity that cannot be overlooked is child care. Eligibility guidelines for child care assistance are pretty high, but depending on your State and your total amount of income, your family may be eligible.
I consider myself very lucky to stay home with my children…and one of the reasons why I do, is simply because the cost of childcare is extremely expensive. Here are some steps for getting financial assistance for child care and allowing the government to pick up some or all of the cost. Please note: This post is not intended to insult or ridicule anyone who does pay full price for childcare, as many families must do. This post is for families that are struggling to from day to day, and could really NEED help.
- Believe it or not, child care assistance IS out there for low to moderate income families. Many families that contain single parent incomes are sure to receive financial help with child care. The first step is to contact your local child care subsidy facility. You can do this by calling 1-800-424-2246 or go online to the Child Care Aware website and locate your county’s child care assistance institution.
- When you contact Child Care Aware, either online or by phone, be sure to ask any questions you may have about qualifying for child care financial assistance. Request brochures and an application as well. If doing this online, you may be able to fill out an application and submit online, depending on your State. Others will find a link to email your local child care information service.
- You will want to consider who your child care provider will be. Usually, you can choose your own…be it family, a friend, or a day care. If you are uncertain about the child care provider you want, the Child Care Aware site or a representative can help you decide. Be sure to navigate the site and see what exists for helpful information. You’ll find just about anything you need to know.
- Be sure to have all your financial information ready for the child care assistance application. They will need at least one month of pay stubs, driver’s license, child support information, child care provider information, and any other income you may be receiving including cash assistance if applicable. You’ll also need to know what hours you work and your employer may have to sign a form stating how much you make and how often you are paid.
Post published by Melissa Roach, our Product Review & Giveaway Specialist.
Melissa is a Full Time Mom & Blogger HERE (please check out her blog!)
Thanks to eHow.com for your assistance with this post!
Leave a Reply