by Alexis Cala, PICurrent Assistant Producer
Courtesy of Belzie
Paying for child care, especially in today’s economy, can easily become a source of anxiety.
With rising costs and so many hours getting cut, it can be difficult to find affordable care that your child enjoys. Fortunately, there are several state and government programs that offer aid to low-income families to assist with the cost.
Here are just a few programs that can provide funding and support:
- Government assistance: Federal programs that assist low-income families by offering aid such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
- Tax credits: Credits, like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), let you subtract the cost of your child care from your Federal, State, or local income taxes if you have a qualifying child.
- Employer-supported benefits: Your employer may offer Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts. These accounts set some of your salary aside, which would not be taxed, for child care.
- Early Head Start (infants and toddlers) and Head Start (age 3-5): Both Early Head Start (EHS) and Head Start serve children whose family income is at or below the Federal Poverty Level. To find an Early Head Start program in your area, visit the EHS Program Locator. To find a Head Start program in your area, use the Head Start Program Search Tool.
Child care resource and referral (CCR&R) agencies can also provide information about child care programs that have different funding options, or that are based on household income. To locate a CCR&R agency in your area, visit Child Care Aware.
With President Obama taking office, what’s in store for child care?
Obama is working towards providing all children with access to affordable and high-quality child care. Improving old programs and creating new ones helps support healthy child development and eases the burden on working families.
Some of the improvements we may see in child care and early education, include:
Expanding coverage of the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit
- The credit will become refundable
- Covers up to 50% of child care costs for low-income families (currently covers 35%)
Program Funding:
- Help fund state “zero to five” programs
- Boost the number of children eligible for Early Head Start
- Increase Head Start funding and quality of care
For more information, please visit:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
We have someone at church watch our son once a week and pay her $30 for the day. I work overnight so I watch him during the day most of the week. I’m so grateful for that.
Thank you for your comment, that’s great that someone at your church can help out!
I did notice that with the current economy, seeking care from friends, family, etc. is becoming more popular because it is fairly cost effective, and you know who your leaving your child with.
Thanks again for your comment, we love hearing from you!
Alexis
I like the idea of gov’t programs like TANF and the Head Start programs helping out families. I just hope it was known more, because people aren’t really that aware that those programs exist