Child care costs can be a significant burden for families. Fortunately, South Dakota offers government assistance programs to help eligible families afford quality child care. This article will explore the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) in South Dakota, outlining who qualifies and what benefits are available.
Who is Eligible for CCAP in South Dakota?
The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) in South Dakota is designed to support families who need help paying for child care while they work or attend education or training programs. To qualify for CCAP, families must meet specific criteria:
Allowable Activities:
To be eligible for CCAP, parents or guardians must be participating in one of the following allowable activities:
- Employment: This includes both paid employment and self-employment. If you are working, you likely qualify for CCAP assistance.
- Education or Training Programs: Families participating in approved education or training programs are also eligible. This could include vocational training, college courses, or other programs designed to improve employability.
- Temporary Allowable Activities (for Homeless Situations): In specific situations, such as homelessness, the program recognizes the challenges families face. Activities like actively seeking employment, pursuing education or training, and looking for housing are temporarily considered allowable activities. This provides a safety net for families working to stabilize their situation.
Age Limits for Children:
CCAP provides assistance for children within specific age ranges:
- General Age Limit: Once a child is approved for CCAP, they can receive services until the end of the eligibility period in which they turn 13 years old.
- Children with Special Needs: Recognizing the extended care needs of children with special needs, CCAP eligibility can be extended up to age 19 for children with documented special needs. This ensures continued support for families with children requiring specialized care.
Asset Limits:
To ensure that assistance is directed to families with genuine financial need, CCAP has asset limits:
- Asset Ceiling: A family’s total assets cannot exceed $1,000,000. This limit is set to ensure the program supports families who do not have substantial financial resources.
Income Limits:
CCAP eligibility is also based on household income. Families must have a monthly income below specific limits, which are based on family size:
- Monthly Income Thresholds: Monthly income from all sources, including wages, child support, pensions, and veteran’s benefits, must be less than the CCAP income limits. These income limits are detailed in the table below and are updated periodically.
Co-payment Responsibilities:
While CCAP provides significant financial assistance, most families are required to contribute a portion of the child care cost through a co-payment:
- Sliding Fee Scale: The co-payment amount is not a fixed fee but is calculated based on a sliding fee scale. This scale takes into account family income and household size, ensuring that co-payments are affordable and proportionate to a family’s financial situation.
- Co-pay Worksheet: To help families understand their potential co-payment amount, South Dakota provides a Worksheet for Calculating Copay. This tool allows families to estimate their co-payment based on their specific circumstances.
Child Care Workforce Benefit for Employees of Licensed Child Care Providers in South Dakota
South Dakota also offers a unique benefit specifically for individuals working in licensed child care facilities. The Child Care Workforce Benefit is designed to support child care professionals by assisting with their own child care expenses.
Benefits of the Workforce Benefit:
- Payment for Child Care Costs: Eligible employees can receive payments for their child care costs, potentially covering up to the full-time state maximum rate. This can significantly reduce or eliminate child care expenses for child care workers.
- Co-payment Waiver: Participants in the Child Care Workforce Benefit program have their CCAP co-payment waived. This further reduces their out-of-pocket child care costs.
Eligibility Requirements for the Workforce Benefit:
To qualify for this specialized benefit, employees must meet specific criteria:
- Residency: Applicants must live in South Dakota.
- Employment in Licensed Child Care: Employment must be with a licensed child care provider within South Dakota. This ensures the benefit supports the regulated child care sector.
- Minimum Work Hours: Employees must work at least 25 hours per week at the licensed child care facility. This requirement ensures a significant commitment to the child care workforce.
- CCAP Eligibility (with Income Exception): Applicants generally need to meet the standard CCAP eligibility requirements. However, importantly, the income limits for standard CCAP are waived for this workforce benefit. This means that even if a child care employee’s household income would typically exceed CCAP limits, they may still be eligible for the Workforce Benefit.
It’s important to note that eligible employees can receive this benefit even if their children are enrolled in a different child care program than where the parent is employed. This provides flexibility for employees to choose the best child care arrangement for their families.
How to Sign Up for the Workforce Benefit:
While the Child Care Workforce Benefit is available to all licensed child care program employees regardless of income, providing household income information is still required during the application process. This data is used for application processing and to assess the effectiveness of the benefit program in supporting the child care workforce.
Income Limits for CCAP in South Dakota
The following table outlines the maximum monthly income a household can earn to qualify for CCAP in South Dakota. These income limits are effective from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025.
It’s important to remember the message: “Don’t count yourself out! Even if you don’t think you qualify, you are still encouraged to apply.” Circumstances can be complex, and it’s always best to confirm your eligibility directly.
| Family Size (Adults and Children) | Maximum Monthly Income |
|---|---|
| 2 | $5,231 |
| 3 | $6,462 |
| 4 | $7,694 |
| 5 | $8,924 |
| 6 | $10,155 |
| 7 | $10,386 |
| 8 | $10,617 |
Effective Oct. 1, 2024 – Sept. 30, 2025
Conclusion
South Dakota’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and the Child Care Workforce Benefit are vital resources for families needing help with child care costs. By understanding the eligibility criteria and available benefits, families can access the support they need to ensure their children receive quality care while parents work or pursue education and training. If you believe you may be eligible, it’s highly recommended to apply for CCAP to determine if these programs can assist your family.
