Many mothers, whether single or married, need someone to watch their children while they are away at work. This can get expensive, and paying for child care can be a struggle. If you are having problems affording babysitting or day care for your little one, you may be eligible for aid. Read on to learn how to apply for the child care assistance program.
Help with child care is available through a number of different programs, and there are a several helpful Internet sources that can lead you to local assistance. This page will show you where to find information, and what you will need to do to apply for a child care program near you.
Step 1: Research Your State
Your state's website will most likely have information regarding available child care help. A Google search for your state followed by "child care assistance" should bring up the page. There may be multiple programs to choose from. For example, the state of California has three programs that subsidize child care: Alternative Payment, CalWORKs and Child Protective Services. The type of program you choose may depend on your specific situation, such as welfare status, or "at-risk" designation of the child. http://www.chs-ca.org/cca.html
Step 2: Determine Eligibility
Not everyone who needs child care will be eligible for financial assistance. Before applying, you will need to know if you qualify. Different programs will have different requirements, but there is generally a maximum income that is allowed. Check with your state to find out what the cap is. Parents must have a legitimate reason for needing child care, such as a minimum number of hours dedicated work or school. In addition, children must usually be under the age of 13. http://www.childcaregroup.org/Parents/CCA_Eligible.html
Step 3: Find a Child Care Provider
Once you have found a program in your state that is right for you, and you have established your eligibility, it is time to find a quality child care provider. If you aren't sure where to look, try the ChildCareAware.org website. This organization promotes safe child care, and you may enter your zip code on the site to find out about local providers, as well as agencies in your area that will assist with costs. http://www.childcareaware.org/en/The National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies, or NACCRA, also has a website (naccrra.org) with information on quality child care services, as well as assistance information. http://www.naccrra.org/about/
