In Nebraska, parents who have low incomes can get help from the government to pay for their child care. This help comes in the form of subsidies and grants. The resources for this program come from federal government funds, and it is administered by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
The government only offers financial assistance to those who meet certain income requirements and other conditions. You must have a job, be in school, or in a job training program to be eligible for this. Those activities need to be done for more than 20 hours each week. Both parents should be involved if possible.
The person’s job must have the potential to help the family become financially stable within a short period of time. This program is not designed for families where the cost of child care is more than their income, as this is not a sustainable solution.
Reimbursement may be offered for those that are enrolled in a program that will provide them with the skills needed for a particular job. If parents are trying to earn a high school diploma or GED, they can get help. Some people choose to attend school to earn an undergraduate degree or certificate in a specific area, such as English as a second language. The goal of any training or education should be to help the parent become employed and self-sufficient over time. You cannot pursue a second undergraduate degree or any post-graduate degree if you are providing child care in Nebraska. You cannot get child care assistance for independent study or correspondence courses.
If you are a social worker in Nebraska and you are working with a parent who is seeking employment, you may ask the parent to provide a record of the dates and places that they looked for a job. Make sure to keep track of your documentation. This will ensure that you have a record of your work and can access it when needed. Any assistance provided is typically for a shorter duration as well.
This means that Nebraska may give out money to help people in some other situations as well. This means that if you are a parent and you have to go to a medical or counseling appointment, you can bring your child with you. – If the parent is unable to take care of the child due to some form of disability or medical condition (incapacitated), they can explore this subsidy program.
Your income will need to be considered. This means the amount of money you make before taxes, insurance, and any other deductions are subtracted. Applicants need to prove all sources of income, including earned income (e.g., wages) and unearned income, such as Unemployment Insurance, child support, or Social Security payments.
There may be help for working poor families who are no longer eligible for benefits such as Aid to Dependent Children (ADC) because they now have earnings. Which is also based on family sizeEven if a Nebraska family has not recently received ADC, they may still qualify if their income is at or below the monthly limit. The monthly limit is based on the size of the family.
The Child Care Subsidy Program can help pay for child care costs for children who are 12 or younger. There may be opportunities for children who require additional care due to mental conditions, disabilities or physical issues to continue receiving care up to the age of 19, depending on funding availability. They may be able to meet the requirements.
Some families who are enrolled in the child care program will be required to pay a portion of their child care bills. This is called a fee, and it will need to be paid. If the parent does not make arrangements for payment, the case will be closed. This means that the state of Nebraska will only pay for part of your bill. This means that even if you are receiving government assistance for your children, you may still have to pay a monthly fee for each child.
All parents who are enrolled in the Nebraska Child Care Subsidy program will be able to choose the provider they want, as long as they stay within the limits and regulations. The provider must be licensed or approved by the state in order for the Department of Health and Human Services to cover a portion of the child care costs. They need to be registered with DHHS and have a Provider Agreement in place.
A few examples of different types of child care providers are businesses, family homes, in-home care, and exempt providers.
To stay in the program, people need to follow a number of other rules and conditions. The parent is responsible for updating the school about any changes in their status. If you have a change in your living situation, income, or job, you need to tell your child’s care provider. There are also many other conditions.
If you need more information, you can call Nebraska DHHS at (402) 471-9325.