There are four reasons why the Department of Human Services (DHS) will pay for child care:
- for the caretaker to retain employment,
- for the caretaker to obtain education,
- for the caretaker to obtain training, and
- for certain special circumstances when the child needs
protection from abuse, neglect or exploitation.
Any parent, legal guardian or caretaker of a child 12 years of age or younger can apply for Subsidized Child Care.
There are also special circumstances when child care can be approved for older children who have disabilities. You
can apply at the DHS County Office nearest your home.
When you apply for Subsidized Child Care, you should take verification of all income received by any member of your
household, and the schedule of your work or school hours during which time you need the child care. Also take the
name, address, and phone number of the licensed and contracted child care provider you wish to use.
The social worker in the DHS County Office has two working days from the date you provide all information needed to
determine whether or not you are eligible for child care assistance. You can use the facility prior to receiving
your approval notice but you will be financially responsible for any days used that are prior to the certification
date. You will be issued an EBT card and should begin swiping this card as you check you child in and out of the
facility each day. You will receive a message from the Point of Service (POS) machine showing "Approved" when your
application is approved. Also, you and the facility will receive an approval notice in the mail informing you both
that the child is approved for subsidy payment.