Child Care Subsidy
The Child Care Subsidy Program enables eligible parents to enroll their children in licensed full day child care programs in a child care centre or Family Home Day Care providers home by providing subsidy to the child care facility on their behalf. The goal of the program is to assist families with their child care expenses to enable them to work, pursue employment, attend school, and cope with family crisis.
Eligibility
All subsidies are designated for children who are 12 years old and younger and apply to facilities which provide full-day child care. The family's eligibility for child care subsidy will be based on the family's social need, residency status, liquid assets and financial eligibility. An applicant family must establish eligibility in all four areas to qualify for receipt of child care subsidy.
When you contact the Child Care Subsidy Caseworker you will be informed of your eligibility for subsidy and how much government will pay towards your daily child care costs. Parents who meet the requirements for a child care subsidy are required to pay a minimum portion of the child care fee. The least the parent will be required to pay is $1.00 per day per family. This amount increases depending upon the family income, the number of children receiving subsidy and the child care centre fees.
Application for Child Care Subsidy
You must contact a Child Care Subsidy Caseworker who will provide you with the details of how you can apply for child care subsidy. Alternatively, you could print the Application for Child Care Subsidy from the Department of Community Services (DCS) website, pick the application up from a child care centre/family home day care agency or DCS office, and mail the application to DCS. You may then set up an interview to review eligibility. You will be expected to provide proof of your earnings/income (e.g. income tax Notice of Assessment) and Social Insurance Number.
Child Care Centre Fees
It will be your responsibility to locate a child care centre that is able to accept your child. Should the centre be able to accept your child, it is important that you determine what date your child can start and what the daily fee will be for the type of care you are seeking. Once this has been done, you will contact the Child Care Subsidy Caseworker who will instruct you on how to finalize the application process.
Payment of Child Care Fees
Once the application process is complete your Child Care Subsidy Caseworker will provide you with information on child care subsidy. The caseworker will also let you know how much subsidy you are entitled to. You will pay your portion of the child care centre fee directly to the centre based on their payment policies. Child care centres then bill the Department of Community Services for the difference. Be sure to keep copies of all forms related to your child care subsidy application process.
On-going Eligibility
Eligibility for Child Care Subsidy must be re-established by the applicant every 12 months, or more frequently as designated by the Child Care Subsidy Caseworker. Applicant/parents are required to notify the caseworker of any change in their social or financial circumstances within seven (7) days of the occurrence of the change. Failure to notify the Child Care Subsidy Caseworker of these changes may result in cancellation of the Child Care Subsidy and recovery of any overpayment.