Help Paying for Child Care
We are now accepting online applications! Current information on options for applying can be found on CDD’s website.
In Chittenden County, Child Care Resource partners with the State of Vermont to help families pay for child care expenses through the Child Care Financial Assistance program. Families qualify for this program based upon their family size and gross monthly income. Visit the State Child Development Division web site for the most current CCFAP income guidelines.. Payments are made directly to the child care provider by the state. Click the following link to download and print the Child Care Financial Assistance Application.
In addition to meeting certain income guidelines, families must have a reason to need child care in order to qualify for assistance. This is called a “service need”. Along with the application, you will need to provide additional forms or information to show that you have a qualified service need. You can request these forms from us or print them out from under your service need below. Here is a list of eligible service needs:
Self-employment
Any business activity approved that nets a monthly income of at least $100. Complete a Self-Employment Business Plan form. If you have been self-employed for more than one year, enclose a complete copy of your most recent tax return. If you have been self-employed for less than one year, our new Profit & Loss form will be required with the Business Plan.
In School or Training
Is any activity that is likely to lead to employment within 1 year of completion of the activity. Reach-Up activities are included. Volunteer work and Post-Baccalaureate education are not eligible activities. Complete a Training Plan Form, along with your course schedule including days and hours attending. If study time is needed, it may be granted at the rate of one hour per hour of class time. Upon completion of your classes, you will need to provide documentation of successfully completed coursework. (If you have a Bachelor’s Degree, you are ineligible for financial assistance under this service need.)
Employment
Any activity for which a primary caregiver receives compensation of at least minimum wage. To verify employment, 2 consecutive current paystubs from the last 30 days for each job you have must be submitted with applications. If employment has just begun or will be starting soon, your employer will need to fill out this Verification of Employment form and you can send it in with the financial assistance application. You will still need to send in 2 consecutive paystubs as soon as you receive them. Weekly paystubs or bi-weekly paystubs are fine, but if you only get paid once a month, please contact us so we can request an extension for you. If your employer does not withhold taxes for you and you will pay those taxes yourself at the end of the year, follow the instructions for self-employment below.
Seeking Employment
Special Health Need (Adult)
Reach Up
Children’s Integrated Services (CIS) Service Needs:
Special Health Need (Child)
This Child With Special Health Needs form is for a child’s significant health or specialized developmental need as documented by a licensed physician and/or licensed psychologist or by the assessment determining eligibility for Special Education or Early Intervention Services that includes child care as part of the child’s development plan (IEP or IFSP). Request a Special Health Needs Supplemental Documentation form from the CIS Child Care Coordinator.
Family Support
Protective Services
Additional Required Documentation:
Adoption
Household Income
Child Support Verification
Provider Reimbursement Rates
Statewide Reimbursement Rates for Child Care Financial Assistance are established by Vermont Department of Children and Families and are based upon the setting in which child care is provided, the age of the child, and the number of hours the child is in childcare daily. A pre-screening tool for eligibility and financial assistance rates is found on this State of Vermont Building Bright Futures page. Eligibility is based on your family’s gross monthly income and family size. You can learn more about the application process here. For the reimbursement rates for Approved Relative Child Care (ARCC) Providers click here. Providers must be relatives of the children and families that are qualified to receive child care financial assistance. Relatives are defined as: An individual who provides child care services that is 18 years of age or older; AND is the grandparent, great grandparents, sibling (if sibling lives in a separate residence), aunt, or uncle of the qualifying child.
Contact us if you would like us to send you an application for Child Care Financial Assistance (and live in Chittenden County, Vermont), or print out the application here Child Care Financial Assistance Application. If you have a question for one of our specialists, call 802-863-3367.
Eligible Child Care Settings
In order to care for children eligible for child care financial assistance, child care providers must be either licensed, registered, or as an Approved Relative Child Care (ARCC) provider by the State of Vermont. For information on becoming an eligible child care provider, contact the Child Development Division, Licensing Unit toll-free (in Vermont) at 1-800-649-2642. If you are a family found eligible for child care financial assistance and would like an unregistered close family member (an individual who provides child care services that is 18 years of age or older; AND is the grandparent, great grandparent, sibling (if sibling lives in a separate residence), aunt, or uncle of the qualifying child) to care for your child, you may request an Approved Relative Child Care Provider (ARCC) Application from your case manager at Child Care Resource.
Frequently Asked Financial Assistance Questions
Q. What is child care financial assistance?
A. Child care financial assistance is a payment that assists eligible Vermont families with the cost of child care. The financial assistance is available to parents who meet eligibility criteria to help cover the fee for eligible child care. The child care financial assistance is paid directly to the child care provider.
Q. Who is eligible to receive child care financial assistance?
A. If you are the parent or primary caretaker of a child and meet the eligibility guidelines, you may be eligible to receive child care financial assistance. Child Care Resource processes applications for eligibility for families that reside in Chittenden County.
Q. Do I qualify for the child care financial assistance program?
A. To qualify for the child care financial assistance program, a family has to have a need for child care and meet income guidelines, or have a Reach Up Authorization.
Q. What if my provider charges more than the financial assistance program pays?
A. If the child care provider charges more than the financial assistance, the parent is typically responsible for paying the difference between the financial assistance amount and the fee. You may be eligible for a scholarship through the City of Burlington. Contact Rebecca Reese at the City of Burlington for more information. rreese@burlingtonvt.gov 802.865.7533