More Kentucky families qualify for financial aid to pay for child care because of an increase in funding approved by the 2016 General Assembly.
The income guidelines used to determine eligibility for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) have moved from the 2011 Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) to the 2016 Federal Poverty Guidelines. The higher income requirement will increase the number of families who qualify for assistance. The change took effect Sept. 1.
The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services’ (CHFS) Division of Child Care, part of the Department for Community Based Services, administers the CCAP program. CCAP provides access to quality child care, allowing parents to work, attend school, and/or participate in a Kentucky Works Program activity as a condition of receiving cash assistance.
CHFS Secretary Vickie Yates Brown Glisson said easing the income requirements could help hundreds of struggling families secure the child care that can improve their overall well-being.
“Parents need safe, reliable child care so they can work or go to school,” she said. “CCAP makes a huge difference for thousands of Kentucky families raising young children,” she said. “We are so grateful to the legislature for this increase that will have lasting, positive effects on our providers, parents and especially children.”
Before Sept. 1, Kentucky used the 2011 federal poverty guidelines to determine eligibility, based on a maximum of 150 percent of the FPG. The change increases the maximum income for eligibility to 160 percent of the 2016 FPG.
The change will not only make more families eligible for assistance, it may also provide a slightly higher benefit to those participating.
The 2016 FPG for a family of four is $3,240 per month. The 2011 FPG for a family of four is $2,794 per month.
(story provided by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services)
