The early years of a child’s life are crucial and require continuous care and attention. However, providing childcare can be quite costly, to the extent that it can consume a significant portion of a family’s income. If you need government assistance to help with the costs, consider the following options.
4 Child Care Assistance Options To Help Ease Finances
Here are 4 childcare assistance options you can apply for.
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Head Start and Early Start
The federal government funds Head Start and Early Start programs for pregnant women and children aged 0 to 5. These programs help prepare toddlers, infants, and preschoolers to “succeed in school.” Early Start is open to pregnant women and infants between 3 years, while the Head Start program is designed for children between 3 to 5 years.
These programs are free for children from low-income families. Children from families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and Supplemental Security Income are also eligible. The program also caters to children with identified needs, children in foster care, and children experiencing homelessness are also eligible for the program.
Though government-funded, Head Start and Early Start are run by school districts, nonprofit organizations, and community action agencies.
To apply for Head Start, you’ll have to contact the center closest to you. You can use the Head Start Center Locator for this. You can also visit the Office of The Head Start web page for more information on the services available to you in your territory.
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State Funded Pre-Kindergarten
Some states offer state-funded pre-kindergarten services to eligible families at low or no costs. These programs are designed to prepare children from 3 to 5 years for kindergarten and are usually run during the school year, part-day or full-day.
Application for this program varies per state. You can find out if your state runs this program by selecting your state or territory on the “See Your States Resources Page.”
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Childcare Financial Assistance
Childcare financial assistance (sometimes called vouchers, certificates, or subsidies) is available to eligible families. Although the federal government funds childcare financial assistance, the state government handles the application process, eligibility requirements, and disbursement of funds. Some states distribute these funds via health agencies and social departments, while others run public/private partnerships.
Thanks to these interventions, low-income families can receive funding for childcare services while they work or attend school.
The eligibility for this program varies widely. Select your state in the “See Your States Resources Page” and then click “Financial assistance for Families” to learn about the assistance programs available in your state.
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Military Child Care Assistance Programs
If you’re a military personnel, you can take advantage of the numerous programs specifically designed to help you care for your child where you’re stationed. The federal government also provides financial assistance alternatives if the programs have long waitlists.
You can explore the options available by accessing the official website MilitaryChildCare.Com.
This program allows you to find and apply for the military-operated childcare center nearest to you. It also provides comprehensive information on the available child care services, including eligibility, the application process, and scope.
Military families also have the option of neighborhood fee assistance. This helps military personnel offset a part of the child care fees in cases where there’s a waitlist or the military-operated Child Care centers are too far.
Take Advantage of Other Options
Apart from these government assistance Programs, you can apply for tax subsidies like the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit.
Other assistance options include Dependent Care Accounts, school-sponsored childcare subsidies, and sibling discounts.