Working Connections Child Care subsidy agreement begins today

Eligibility changes for the Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) program will not go into effect today, but instead, families will see higher copayments and potential waiting lists.

New eligibility rules were planned for today due to budget shortfalls and caseload increases. However, a new agreement will keep families with incomes up to 175 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) eligible for the program, but increase their out-of-pocket costs.
Effective February 1, 2011, through February 28, 2011:
  • Families with incomes above 82 percent of the FPG to 137.5 percent will have copayments increase from $50 to $60 per month.
  • Families with incomes above 137.5 percent of the FPG through 175 percent will have monthly copayments increase using a sliding scale.
Effective March 1, 2011:
  • Families with incomes above 82 percent of the FPG to 137.5 percent will have copayments increase to $65 per month.
  • Families with incomes above 137.5 percent of the FPG through 175 percent will have monthly copayments increase using a sliding scale.
There will be no copayment change for families with incomes at or below 82 percent of the FPG. Their payments remain $15 a month.

Another change starting today will allow only licensed or certified family home child care providers to be eligible for field trip fee reimbursements for children in subsidized care. Child care centers and school-age centers will not be eligible for field trip fees.

About 37,400 families use the WCCC program a month to help pay for child care while they work or meet WorkFirst participation requirements. DEL is working with partners to determine how best to implement the new agreements to support families while achieving needed cost savings. Certain families may be placed on a waiting list to receive help. The extent of this waiting list is unclear until it is determined how many families exit the program.

More information will be shared as it is available and posted on our WCCC web page.