What to do when you’re not eligible for government assistance

Finding childcare can be one of the most challenging parts of raising a family. Childcare is often expensive, hard to find, and varies in quality. While there is free government assistance available, it’s a complex system that can be hard to navigate and support is not available to everyone. This guide will breakdown all options available to parents who need childcare support. After all, every parent should be able to find quality care that’s right for their family.

Why don’t I qualify and can that change? 

The eligibility rules for government childcare assistance can be very strict, meaning many families can’t access the help they need. Eligibility criteria changes from state to state and program to program. Most of the programs base their decision on:

• Household income level - The total amount of money made by everyone in your home

• Number of people in your household - how many people depend on you for care and how many people help meet their needs

• General information - where you live and how much you currently pay for childcare

If there are big changes with your family or kids, it’s important to check if your status changes. Some examples of big changes are:

• If the amount of money you, or your partner makes decreases.

• If you have another child, or are looking after a child in foster care

• If you or your partner is no longer able to work

• If you no longer have a place to live

Changes in how much money state and federal governments give to these programs can also impact how many families are able to access support, and usually occur every two years. Keep an eye on state and federal laws to see if your eligibility changes or if there is more help available.

Are there any other programs that I might qualify for? 

Tax Credits

Tax Credits are available for most people who work to claim when filing their yearly taxes. If you claim a tax credit, you can reduce the amount of money you owe to the government when filing your annual tax return. There are several tax credits that apply to child and/or dependent care costs. The Federal CDCTC is up to $2,100 each year depending on your income and expenses.

Other childcare support options to consider:

• Local nonprofit organizations

• Employer assistance programs

• Childcare cooperatives

• Community education centers

• Parent networking groups 

• Local churches and religious institutions