Q.  How do I apply for child care assistance?
A.  To apply for child care assistance, you must submit a completed, signed application and all required verification documents, to the Office of Child Care Services (CCS). Applications are also available at your local Social Services or One-Stop Career Center office, by calling 1-800-227-3020, or by  writing to Child Care Services at 700 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501.

Q.  Who is eligible for child care assistance?
A.  TANF recipients who are in approved activities; TANF recipients who are in school and also meeting approved work activity requirements; Families below 200% of the FPL who are working a minimum of 80 hours per month; Vocational/Technical students in a two year or less program who are below 200% of the FPL; College students who meet a 80 hour a month work/school requirement; High school or GED students; or foster care families.

Q.  How do you determine the amount of assistance I will receive?
A.  Assistance levels are determined using a formula based on family size, gross income (before taxes), and the Federal Poverty Level. Depending on your family income, you may be responsible for a co-payment. This co-payment will remain the same no matter how many children you have in care, the number of hours they are in care, or what your provider charges per hour. It will never be more than 15% of your family income.  However, in some cases your co-payment may actually be greater than your total cost of child care.

Q.  What is the average amount of child care assistance per family each month?
A.  The average monthly amount of assistance per family in Fiscal Year 2003 was $355.

Q.  How many hours may my child spend in child care each month?
A.  210 hours per month is the maximum allowed per child by CCS. However, monthly hours are calculated individually for each family, based on work and school schedules and the need for child care. A certificate will be issued for the number of hours per month that you are eligible for. You are 100% responsible for any child care costs after you reach the maximum number on your certificate.

Q.  How many families are receiving child care assistance?
A.  The average number of families receiving child care assistance in Fiscal Year 2003 was 2478 per month.  An average of 4,460 children were served per month.

Q. Will CCS pay for my child care while I’m in school?
A.  Students enrolled in post-secondary education shall be exempt from any work requirements as long as they are attending 80 hours of actual in-class time per month.  If a student is not attending 80 hours of actual in-class time per month, he/she will be required to work enough hours so that the combination of work hours and actual in-class time equals a minimum of 80 hours per month.

CCS will NOT pay for child care for anyone pursing education beyond a bachelors degree.

Q.  How long will my assistance last?
A.  CCS does not have a time limit for benefits. As long as you continue to meet financial and activity guidelines, we will continue assistance. However, the vast majority of families (86%) receive assistance for less than 18 months lifetime total.

Q.  How does CCS pay my child care bill?
A.  Payments are made directly to the child care provider. Providers bill our office, using forms provided, either once or twice a month. CCS NEVER makes payments directly to parents.

Q. What child care providers can I use?
A.  We realize that it can be difficult to find a provider for your children. Therefore, several different types of provider are allowed under CCS program guidelines. They include:

• Regulated providers – providers who are licensed or registered with CCS. These can include family day cares, group family day cares, or day care centers.

• In-Process – providers who are in the process of becoming licensed or registered and who have submitted a signed application to the Department of Social Services Child Care licensing worker.

• Relatives – must be aunt/uncle, grandparent, great-grandparent, or non-resident sibling of the child.

• In-Home – a provider who comes into your home and provides care to only your children.

• Informal Care – a family friend or neighbor who cares for only your children.

All providers must be at least 18 years of age, maintain a separate residence (with the exception of relative providers), and meet certain other criteria. If you need help finding a provider, you can contact Child Care Services.

Q. May I use more than one provider?
A.  Yes. But every provider must meet the requirements of CCS as outlined above. It is important that your CCS caseworker knows how many hours your child will spend with each provider per month, in order for assistance to be figured correctly.

Q.  How often do I need to reapply?
A.  CCS caseworkers can issue certificates for up to 6 months in length. You will need to check the expiration date on your certificate when you receive it. In most cases, you will be required to reapply every 6 months. However, if something about your situation changes (your income, provider, job, address, family size, etc.) you will need to contact your caseworker immediately, so that your case can be adjusted if necessary.  All changes must be reported in writing within 5 days of the change.

Q.  Why does CCS require cooperation with the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE)?
A.  Many children face poverty because absent parents neglect their responsibility to provide adequate financial support for them. When children do not receive financial support, everyone suffers. Therefore, you are required to enroll and cooperate with OCSE, unless good cause for non-cooperation has been established.

Q.  What age child can receive assistance?
A.  Children may receive assistance until they are 13 years old, or up to age 19 for children with special needs.

Q.  Does CCS pay a higher rate for children with special needs?
A.  CCS offers a higher reimbursement rate to child care providers who care for children with certain "special needs". The higher rate must be authorized by your CCS caseworker and is available for children who have special child care needs due to a physical or mental incapacity. Written documentation from a professional such as a physician, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner psychologist or psychiatric social worker is required. A child who is under court supervision can also be considered "special needs". A court order requiring child care must be supplied to CCS.

Please note that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA ) protects the rights of children with disabilities and prevents discrimination. Child care providers cannot exclude children with disabilities solely on the basis of disability. Providers must make a good faith effort to accommodate a child with a disability.

Q. Where can I get help finding a provider?
A.  You should first contact your regional ECE (Early Childhood Enrichment Program). The ECE’s serve as resource and referral agencies and can help you find a provider who is right for your situation. You may also contact Child Care Services at 1-800-227-3020.