Child care costs can be a significant burden for many families. If you’re working, attending school, or participating in job training in New Mexico, you might be wondering about financial help. Child Care Assistance is a program designed to support income-eligible families with these expenses. Let’s explore some common questions about this program and how it can help you.
Who is Eligible for Child Care Assistance?
Any parent or legal guardian in New Mexico who needs help paying for child care while they are working, going to school, actively searching for employment, or participating in a job training program can apply. Residency in New Mexico is a key requirement for eligibility.
How Can I Apply for Child Care Assistance?
Applying for Child Care Assistance in New Mexico is straightforward, with several convenient options available:
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In-Person Application: You can visit one of the local Child Care offices located throughout the state. For a complete list of office locations, please refer to the Child Care Assistance Document Library.
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Online Application: The most efficient method is to apply online through the New Mexico Early Childhood Education & Care Department (ECECD) eligibility portal: https://eligibility.ececd.nm.gov. This online system allows you to complete the application, upload all necessary documents, and even track the progress of your application.
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Email Application: Alternatively, you can apply via email. Download the application form and the list of required documents from the Child Care Assistance Document Library, or request them from your local office. Once completed, submit the application and documents to [email protected].
What Paperwork Do I Need to Apply?
To ensure your application is processed smoothly, it’s crucial to provide all the required documentation. You can find a comprehensive list of these documents in the Child Care Assistance Document Library. Having these documents ready when you apply will help avoid delays.
Who Counts as Part of My Household?
When determining eligibility and assistance levels, the program considers your household size. This includes:
- Biological parents, step-parents, and legal guardians of the children needing care.
- Any legal dependents living in your home, including children.
- Grandparents residing in the same household can also be included.
What Income is Considered for Eligibility?
The Child Care Assistance program assesses countable income to determine eligibility. This includes:
- Gross wages from employment (before deductions).
- Self-employment income.
- Retirement and pension income.
- Worker’s compensation benefits.
- Alimony payments.
- Royalties.
- Income from rental properties.
- Certain Social Security benefits.
However, some income sources are exempt and not counted towards eligibility, such as:
- TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families).
- SNAP benefits (food stamps).
- Employer reimbursements for expenses like mileage or uniforms.
- SSI (Supplemental Security Income).
- Some Social Security benefits.
- VA disability payments.
- Student loans and educational grants.
- Child support payments.
For detailed information on countable and non-countable income, please consult the official child care assistance policies at 8.9.3 NMAC.
What Are the Income Limits Based on Family Size?
Income guidelines for Child Care Assistance vary depending on your family size. You can find the most up-to-date income limits in the Child Care Assistance Document Library. These guidelines are essential to determine if your family meets the income eligibility criteria.
How Long Will It Take to Get Approved?
Once the ECECD receives all your required documents, they aim to process your application within 10 business days. To avoid delays, ensure you submit all necessary documents with your initial application. If documents are missing, ECECD will send a Notice of Action detailing what’s needed. You will then have 14 days to submit the missing information. Failure to provide the documents within this timeframe may result in your application being denied.
Will Child Care Assistance Cover the Entire Cost of Child Care?
The Child Care Assistance program is designed to help families by covering a portion of child care expenses. Families may be required to contribute to the cost through a copayment, which is calculated based on family size and household income. However, it’s important to note that copayments are currently waived for the foreseeable future. ECECD will provide a 3-month notice to both families and providers before copayments are reinstated.
How is the Copayment Amount Determined?
When copayments are in effect, the ECECD uses a specific schedule to determine the amount. This schedule takes into account your family’s monthly income and family size. Copayments are calculated per child and are based on the number of hours of care needed. You can review the Copayment Chart in the Child Care Assistance Document Library to understand how copayments are structured.
Can I Apply if I’m Not Currently Working or in School?
In certain situations, the ECECD may grant an exemption from the work or education requirement. This exemption is typically considered when a parent or guardian can demonstrate incapacitation. Acceptable documentation for demonstrating incapacitation includes a letter from a medical professional or official documents from a federal government agency that issues disability benefits.
Are My Bills Considered When Determining Eligibility or Copayment?
No, the Child Care Assistance program primarily focuses on gross monthly income and family size to determine both eligibility and copayment amounts. Household expenses, such as rent, utilities, or other bills, and income deductions are not taken into consideration during this assessment.
How Do I Pay the Copayment, If Applicable?
When copayments are active, you will be responsible for paying your copayment directly to your child care provider each month. It’s recommended to discuss the provider’s specific payment policies and review their parent/family handbook for detailed information on payment procedures.
Are There Any Additional Fees I Might Have to Pay?
While the program covers many standard child care costs, you may be responsible for incidental expenses like field trip fees or special lunch costs. However, providers are not allowed to charge families for registration fees, educational/activity or supply fees, or transportation fees. These costs are covered by the department’s payments to providers.
How Can I Find a Child Care Provider?
Finding the right child care provider is crucial. New Mexico offers a helpful online tool called the ECECD’s New Mexico Child Care Finder. This tool allows you to search for child care programs statewide, filtering by location, child’s age, quality rating, tuition, language, program type, and other criteria to meet your family’s specific needs.
For personalized assistance, you can also contact NewMexicoKids Resource and Referral at 1 (800) 691-9067. Family Specialists can provide customized referrals based on your unique requirements. This service is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where Can I Get More Information?
For further information about the Child Care Assistance program, you can reach out to Early Childhood Services at 1-800-832-1321. You can also consult the Child Care Assistance Document Library or email your inquiries to [email protected]. These resources are available to help you navigate the program and answer any additional questions you may have.
[Child Care Assistance Document Library]: (Link to be inserted here if available)
