Navigating the world of child care can be complex, especially when it comes to finances. For parents seeking assistance, understanding eligibility requirements and what income is considered is crucial. A common question arises: do you have to report child income for a care program? When it comes to Washington State’s Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) program, the focus is primarily on the family’s income, not the child’s income. This guide will clarify the income considerations for the WCCC program, helping you understand if your family might qualify for child care subsidy benefits.
Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) is designed to support eligible families in Washington State by helping to pay for child care costs. This program recognizes that access to affordable child care is essential for parents to participate in the workforce or pursue education, contributing to the overall economic well-being of families and the state. When a family meets the eligibility criteria and chooses a qualified child care provider, the state provides a subsidy, covering a significant portion of the child care expenses. Parents may then be responsible for a monthly copayment to the child care provider, making quality care more accessible. Notably, families facing homelessness may receive extended support for up to 12 months to help stabilize their situation.
Basic Eligibility Requirements for Child Care Subsidy Benefits
To be eligible for child care subsidy benefits under the WCCC program in Washington State, families must meet several basic requirements:
- Child Residency: The child needing care must live within Washington state.
- Family Residency: The family the child lives with must also reside in Washington state.
- Income Limits: The family’s income must be at or below 60% of the State Median Income (SMI) when initially applying for the program. Upon reapplication, the income threshold increases slightly to 65% of SMI. This income limit is based on the family’s income, not specifically the child’s income.
- Resource Limits: The family’s total resources must be valued at under $1 million.
- Approved Activity Participation: The child care subsidy is intended to enable parents to participate in approved activities. These activities ensure that parents are actively engaged in endeavors that contribute to their self-sufficiency and the state’s economy. Approved activities include:
- Employment: This includes both traditional employment and self-employment in legal, income-generating, and taxable activities.
- Education Activities: Recognizing the importance of education for long-term success, various educational pursuits are also considered approved activities:
- High school or GED programs for parents aged 21 and younger.
- Full-time enrollment at a community, technical, or tribal college seeking an associate’s or vocational degree.
- Part-time enrollment at a community, technical, or tribal college for an associate’s or vocational degree, combined with working at least 20 hours per week.
- Activities approved under the state’s WorkFirst or BFET (Basic Food Employment and Training) plans, which are designed to help families achieve self-sufficiency.
Income Eligibility: Understanding State Median Income (SMI) and Copayments
The WCCC program utilizes the State Median Income (SMI) to determine income eligibility and copayment amounts. The income thresholds have been updated to better reflect the needs of Washington families, moving from 200% of the U.S. federal poverty level (FPL) to a percentage of the SMI. This change generally allows more families to qualify for assistance.
The following chart outlines the maximum monthly household income limits based on family size and corresponding copayment amounts. It’s important to note that these income limits refer to the countable monthly income of the family unit, not the child’s individual income. Therefore, you generally do not have to report child income for the purposes of WCCC eligibility. The focus is on the financial resources available to the parents or guardians to support the family.
| $0 Copay 0%-20% SMI | $65 Copay 20%-36% SMI | $90 Copay 36%-50% SMI | $165 Copay 50%-60% SMI | $215 Copay 60%-65% SMI | 75% SMI | Income Limit 85% SMI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Size | Countable Monthly Income | ||||||
| 1 | $0 to $1,135 | $1,136 to $2,044 | $2,045 to $2,839 | $2,840 to $3,407 | $3,408 to $3,691 | $4,259 | $4,827 |
| 2 | $0 to $1,485 | $1,486 to $2,673 | $2,674 to $3,713 | $3,714 to $4,455 | $4,456 to $4,827 | $5,569 | $6,312 |
| 3 | $0 to $1,834 | $1,835 to $3,302 | $3,303 to $4,586 | $4,587 to $5,504 | $5,505 to $5,962 | $6,880 | $7,797 |
| 4 | $0 to $2,184 | $2,185 to $3,931 | $3,932 to $5,460 | $5,461 to $6,552 | $6,553 to $7,098 | $8,190 | $9,282 |
| 5 | $0 to $2,533 | $2,534 to $4,560 | $4,561 to $6,334 | $6,335 to $7,601 | $7,602 to $8,234 | $9,501 | $10,768 |
| 6 | $0 to $2,883 | $2,884 to $5,189 | $5,190 to $7,207 | $7,208 to $8,649 | $8,650 to $9,370 | $10,811 | $12,253 |
| 7 | $0 to $2,948 | $2,949 to $5,307 | $5,308 to $7,371 | $7,372 to $8,846 | $8,847 to $9,583 | $11,057 | $12,532 |
| 8 | $0 to $3,014 | $3,015 to $5,425 | $5,426 to $7,535 | $7,536 to $9,042 | $9,043 to $9,796 | $11,303 | $12,810 |
| 9 | $0 to $3,079 | $3,080 to $5,543 | $5,544 to $7,699 | $7,700 to $9,239 | $9,240 to $10,009 | $11,549 | $13,089 |
| 10 | $0 to $3,145 | $3,146 to $5,661 | $5,662 to $7,863 | $7,864 to $9,435 | $9,436 to $10,222 | $11,794 | $13,367 |
| 11 | $0 to $3,210 | $3,211 to $5,779 | $5,780 to $8,027 | $8,028 to $9,632 | $9,633 to $10,435 | $12,040 | $13,645 |
| 12 | $0 to $3,276 | $3,277 to $5,897 | $5,898 to $8,191 | $8,191 to $9,829 | $9,830 to $10,648 | $12,286 | $13,924 |
| 13 | $0 to $3,341 | $3,342 to $6,015 | $6,016 to $8,354 | $8,355 to $10,025 | $10,026 to $10,861 | $12,532 | $14,202 |
| 14 | $0 to $3,407 | $3,408 to $6,133 | $6,134 to $8,518 | $8,519 to $10,222 | $10,223 to $11,074 | $12,777 | $14,481 |
| 15 | $0 to $3,472 | $3,473 to $6,251 | $6,252 to $8,682 | $8,683 to $10,418 | $10,419 to $11,287 | $13,023 | $14,759 |
| 16 | $0 to $3,538 | $3,539 to $6,369 | $6,370 to $8,846 | $8,847 to $10,615 | $10,616 to $11,499 | $13,269 | $15,038 |
| 17 | $0 to $3,603 | $3,604 to $6,487 | $6,488 to $9,009 | $9,010 to $10,811 | $10,812 to $11,712 | $13,514 | $15,316 |
| 18 | $0 to $3,669 | $3,670 to $6,605 | $6,606 to $9,173 | $9,174 to $11,008 | $11,009 to $11,925 | $13,760 | $15,595 |
| 19 | $0 to $3,735 | $3,736 to $6,723 | $6,724 to $9,337 | $9,338 to $11,205 | $11,206 to $12,138 | $14,006 | $15,873 |
| 20 | $0 to $3,800 | $3,801 to $6,841 | $6,842 to $9,501 | $9,502 to $11,401 | $11,402 to $12,351 | $14,252 | $16,152 |
To use this chart: Find your family size in the left column. Then, locate your countable monthly income. The chart will indicate the potential copayment amount associated with your income bracket. For example, a family of four with a monthly income of $4,100 would fall into the “$90 Copay 36%-50% SMI” bracket, resulting in a $90 monthly copayment.
Application Process for WCCC
Applying for the Working Connections Child Care subsidy is a straightforward process:
- Contact the Child Care Subsidy Contact Center: Families can begin their application by contacting the Contact Center at 1-844-626-8687.
- Apply Online: Alternatively, you can apply online through the Washington Connection website: www.WashingtonConnection.org. This online portal allows you to manage various state benefits and services.
- DCYF Review: The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) will gather and review your application information to determine your family’s eligibility.
- Provider Information: You will need to provide the name and phone number of your chosen child care provider to DCYF. It’s important to note that you do not need to have a provider selected before you begin the application process. You can apply and then find a provider afterward.
View the instructions on creating an online account with Washington Connection.
Child Care Subsidy Program – You May Qualify
Read the printable flyer (available in English, Spanish, and Somali)
Verification Process: Ensuring Program Integrity
To ensure the integrity of the WCCC program and responsible use of public funds, DCYF conducts a verification process. They will need to verify certain information as applicable to your family’s situation. This verification may be done through existing state systems, or DCYF may request documentation directly from families. It’s important to note that any statements provided must include a name, address, phone number, date, and signature.
| What may need to be verified? (if applicable) | What may be provided? Verification may include:
