How to Apply for Daycare Assistance in Kansas
The state of Kansas caters to approximately 250,000 children under 6 in day care every week. While Kansas offers cheaper day care than many other states, it's still a heavy financial burden for low income families. Monthly costs for babies and toddlers are highest and can be up to $500. For Kansas preschoolers that figure reduces to $417 or less. Statewide programs offer financial assistance to eligible families to help them get or stay in jobs.
Instructions
Contact the Kansas Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (KACCRA). This organization provides a network for child day care agencies throughout the state's 105 counties. KACCRA staff work with parents, guardians, care providers and professionals to find the best day care for each individual family. KACCRA works to ensure that every eligible parent has access to state resources they can rely on as safe and affordable. KACCRA also helps shape government policy on child care and its website includes information about available assistance. Check your eligibility. A family is eligible for financial assistance under the Child Care Subsidy Program if it has a low income, limited resources and at least one child at home under the age of 18 (unborn babies are included in the count). Families in which the parents or guardians are in training or education programs are also eligible if the training is related to getting a job or advancing in their existing position. Teenage parents can get financial help to complete high school. Check your income liability. Most families must pay something toward the child day care costs. Contributions depend on household income and the exact amount is calculated on a sliding scale. Visit the Child Care Subsidy page on the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services website to find the maximum monthly incomes for each family size. The lower your income, the less your contribution will be. Certain things are not counted as family income including, as of January 2011, any assets worth less than $2,000, cars, the value of your home, furniture, personal items and some tools. Apply for day care assistance through the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services. Fill in an application form online or contact them directly for a hard copy to complete. Families must live in Kansas to qualify, and parents or guardians must apply and act for themselves throughout the application process. Give all your income information, however small. If one parent is living away from the family home, the remaining one must agree to co-operate with any child support enforcement. Speak to your employer about day care. Kansas offers tax incentives to encourage companies to provide day care for their staff's children who are on site or buy services for employees as part of a pay package. Check out the Kansas Revenue Child Day Care Assistance Credit page and familiarize yourself with the provisions before contacting your employer.
