The Department of Social Services in Connecticut provides financial assistance to low-income parents or families for child care costs using state and federal government funds. You may be able to get free vouchers to help pay for most or all of your daycare costs. How to apply: To apply, please follow the instructions below. The main program that helps with childcare costs is called Care 4 Kids.
Government financial assistance is typically given to low-income or poverty-stricken families. The parents needs to have a job, be in school, or some other form of education to be able to provide for their children. The child needs to be younger than 13, or 19 if they have a disability. The minimum number of hours the applicant must have attended class will need to be met. This means that the state will not provide financial assistance for caregiving when the parent is able to do it themselves.
There is a process in place where you can apply for grants or free vouchers. There will be a screening process to see if you qualify. This means that if there are more people interested in a certain class than there are spots available, those interested can sign up for the class and be placed on a waiting list. If someone registered for the class later cancels their spot, the first person on the waiting list will be contacted and offered the chance to register for the class. Connecticut social workers are required to maintain full documentation of their work and the terms of their programs. You should be ready to show your pay stubs, school records, or proof that you are enrolled in a job training program. A PPA is an agreement between you and the provider you have chosen that outlines the terms and conditions of the provider’s services. The state will let you know if your application has been accepted or not.
Care 4 Kids is a program that helps low-income families pay for child care. This means that it is likely that the parent will need to pay part of the expense themselves. This will be determined when your “Child Care Certificate” is approved. However, in some cases, daycare may be offered for free.
The Connecticut Department of Social Services will decide the amount of financial aid by looking at many factors. The factors that determine how much child care a family receives are the parents’ work or training schedule, if the child has special needs, the children’s age, and the total household income. A family fee or co-payment is usually required. The parent is responsible for paying the provider for the part of the Family Fee that the program does not cover, as well as any other child care charges or fees.
The amount the state will need to pay is the difference between what the copay is and the maximum rate. This means that if the family would need to pay more than the maximum subsidy for the copay, then the resident is not qualified for assistance. This means that the family can afford to pay the entire bill themselves.
The family has the freedom to choose which day care provider they want to go with, as long as that provider falls within the guidelines that have been set. This means that it can be adapted to different situations and doesn’t have to be done in a specific way. All Connecticut families can choose the type of family care they want to use, as long as they have been screened and approved by the CT Department of Public Health. This can be done by establishing a formal business or day care center. This will help to ensure that the children are supervised and cared for in a professional setting. Some other options for childcare include a private or public school-based program, a relative, or a recreational program run by a library, boys’ and girls’ club, or maybe even a local church.
It’s important to choose a provider that’s licensed and approved by the state and your case manager. This means that they must be willing to accept government money or vouchers as payment. If you are not using a licensed childcare provider, then the Care 4 Kids program may not reimburse you.
The state has resources to help you find and choose a provider. I need help finding a safe place for my child to grow and develop. If you need help finding a list of service providers or need help with this process, please call 1-800-505-1000.
Applying for free daycare programs in Connecticut
To get more information on free or low cost child care programs, call the Care 4 Kids program at 1-888-214-5437. If you need help finding resources in your area, you can contact a social worker at a local government office. We have customer service representatives who are available to answer any questions you might have.