Income Eligibility & Assessed Daily Parent Fee Changes (ADPF)

Changes to income eligibility and the assessed daily parent fees are an initial step in our multi-year initiative that will review and improve how the department delivers subsidized child care to Nova Scotian families.

Following is a summary of the key enhancements:

Income Eligibility:

• Effective April 1, 2008 the maximum allowable income levels are as follows:

Income eligibility will be based on net income as defined by line 236 of the T1 general income tax form. For example, an applicant who reports net income up to $62,731 with 1 child could be eligible for subsidy. The daily subsidy rate will vary depending on the income of the family.

• Families applying or re-applying for subsidy will be required to provide a copy of their Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Notice of Assessment. In situations where the applicant does not have a Notice of Assessment or if their family income has changed by more than 20%, from the previous year, the applicant will need to meet with a Subsidy Caseworker.

• Families will be allowed up to $50,000 in liquid assets.

Assessed Daily Parent Fee (ADPF):

• In Nova Scotia, all families receiving child care subsidy are required to contribute to the cost of child care through the ADPF. As of April 1, 2008 the minimum ADPF will be lowered from $2.25 per day per family to $1.00 per day per family.

The maximum approved government per diem rates will not change.

Revised Subsidy Application:

Effective April 1, 2008 parents will be able to obtain an application for child care subsidy in the following ways –

• Online Child Care Subsidy Forms
• Department of Community Services offices
• Nova Scotia Licensed Child Care Centres
• Family Home Day Care agencies or homes

Next Steps

Please contact your Subsidy caseworker or regional office if you have any questions or require further information.

Please provide feedback and/or comments to ELCC@gov.ns.ca.