We Determine Eligibility for Low-Income Families
Parents receiving TANF or Food Stamps are generally eligible when they participate in the Choices or Food Stamp Employment and Training programs. Other parents with low incomes and those who are teen parents may be eligible for child care assistance based on the following criteria:
ELIGIBILITY QUICK LINKS |
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Eligibility Checklist for Low-Income Families (back to top)
- Generally, to be eligible a parent or caretaker must be able to answer “yes” to each question below.
- Do you need child care for a child under 13 years of age or is your child disabled and under 19 years of age?
Does that child reside with you?Is your total family household income less than the locally established limits for a family of the same size?
- Do you require child care in order to participate in training, education or employment activities of at least 25 hours per week for a single parent or 50 hours per week for a two-parent family?
Calculating Family Income (back to top)
The tables below show which income is included in eligibility calculation and income that is specifically exempt.
Income that must be included in family income:
- Gross wages, salaries, etc.
- Net income from self-employment.
- Pensions, annuities, insurance and retirement income.
- Taxable capital gains, dividends and interest.
- Rental income.
- Public assistance payments.
- Income from estates and trust funds.
- Unemployment compensation.
- Workers’ compensation income.
- Spousal maintenance or alimony.
- Child Support.
- Court settlements or judgments.
Income that is not included in family income:
- Food Stamps.
- Educational scholarships, grants and loans.
- Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
- Individual Development Account (IDA) withdrawals.
- Tax refunds.
- VISTA and AmeriCorps living allowances.
- Noncash or in-kind benefits received in.
- Foster care payments.
- Special military pay or allowances.
Income Limits (back to top)
The following table lists income limits for determining eligibility of families applying for child care assistance. Income limits are set at 85% of the State Median Index (SMI) for the Workforce Solutions Panhandle Development Area. Family income that must be counted towards these limits is shown in the section Calculating Family Income.
New Workforce Solutions Panhandle
Income Eligibility Guidelines
for Child Care Assistance
effective October 1st, 2009 - September 30th, 2010
GROSS INCOME 85% SMI |
|
Family Size |
Monthly Income |
2 |
$3,004 |
3 |
$3,710 |
4 |
$4,417 |
5 |
$5,124 |
6 |
$5,830 |
7 |
$5,963 |
8 |
$6,095 |
9 |
$6,228 |
10 |
$6,361 |
11 |
$6,493 |
12 |
$6,626 |
Parent Responsibilities (back to top)
In order to receive child care assistance, eligible parents must also agree to:
- Cooperate with the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) to establish paternity of the parent's children and to enforce child support on an ongoing basis. Texas Administrative Code allows only certain exceptions to this requirement. Please contact a CCS representative to discuss your situation.
- Not use, sell, or possess marijuana or other controlled substances in violation of Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 481, and abstain from alcohol abuse.
- Ensure that each family member younger than 18 years of age attends school regularly, unless the child has a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) credential, or is specifically exempted from school attendance by the Texas Education Code.
- Report any changes in family income, household members, training participation or employment within 10 days of those changes.
- Pay a parent’s share of costs for child care based on gross income, number of children in care and family size.
Low-income parents pay the child care provider an amount equal to 9% (1 child) or 11% (2 or more children) of their monthly gross income. Families with seven or more people in the household pay a reduced rate of 65% of the 9% or 11%. Workforce Solutions Panhandle pays the balance of the child care costs.
Apply (for child care assistance) (back to top)
If you think you meet the eligibility requirements for child care assistance, you may complete the application forms or contact a Child Care Services representative by telephone at (806) 372-2836 or (800) 658-2662 for further information.
CAUTION (back to top)
Parents will be required to pay back amounts paid on their behalf for child care assistance if those amounts were paid based on inaccurate, misleading or false information. This includes assistance received because changes were not reported within the time limits. In addition, parents may be subject to legal action for suspicion of fraud.
Next (back to top)
- The parent will be asked to select the provider of their choice. The parent may choose the regulated (licensed) provider that best meets the needs of their family and child(ren) on a space available basis.
- Parents may choose to have a qualified relative care for their child(ren).
- Please see the Consumer's Guide to Quality Child Care for assistance in choosing a provider.
After the parent has chosen a provider, Workforce Solutions Panhandle will communicate directly with that provider to authorize care.
