Parents Can Choose How to Pay Their Child Care Provider
Child care, particularly for infants and toddlers, can be expensive and difficult
for most families with low income to afford. Families on TANF/ASPIRE who are
participating in work activities get help paying for their child care. Parents
in Parents as Scholars also get help with child care while they are in school.
All families who leave TANF/ASPIRE for work are guaranteed help paying for child
care through the Transitional Child Care Program. Without this support, many
parents would be unable to keep their jobs.
Paying the Child Care Provider – Parents Have a Choice
Families receiving help paying for child care through the TANF program and Transitional
Child Care have a choice about the way in which their providers are paid.
They can ask the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to:
- pay the provider directly, or
- put the child care subsidy on their EBT card, and pay the provider
themselves.
If the parent chooses to have DHHS pay the provider directly, they
must request this option from DHHS. Otherwise, DHHS will put the amount
on the family’s EBT card.
The Parent Fee
When a family leaves TANF for work and gets Transitional Child Care, they are
expected to pay part of the cost of their child care. This parent fee is based
on the household income and size of the family. The Department of Health and
Human Services pays for the rest of the cost.
If the child care provider charges a parent more than the amount of the parent
fee and the subsidy from DHHS combined, the parent is not required to pay the
difference. If the child care provider will not provide care without the additional
payment, the parent has two options.
The parent can:
- change to a provider who does not charge this extra amount, or
- choose to pay the difference if they want to keep the child with the same
provider. In this case, the parent will have to pay the additional cost.
To find a new provider in their area, parents can call the local DHHS office
or call the local Resource Development Center. Find
an RDC in your area online,or call DHHS Child & Family Services at (800)
442-6003.
It is critically important that parents are able to access the help that they
need to pay for the cost of child care, so that they can work and know that
their children are well-cared for during these hours. If you have any questions
about child care subsidies through the TANF/ASPIRE program or the Transitional
Child Care Program, please call Crystal Bond at Maine Equal Justice toll free
1 (866) 626-7059, ext. 205.
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