New Clients
- What is subsidized child care?
- Do I qualify?
- How can I apply?
- When will I get help with my child care?
- What childcare may I use?
- Note to parents who feel they may not be eligible
What is subsidized childcare?
Subsidized childcare allows low income parents to maintain employment by assisting with their childcare costs. A weekly co-pay is assessed based on the family size and income. The parent pays the weekly co-pay directly to their selected childcare provider. The CCIS of Lehigh County pays the remainder of the childcare costs directly to the childcare provider.
The days and hours the CCIS will pay for childcare is based on the parent’s work and/or training schedule. Children are eligible to received childcare from birth until their 13th birthday, unless there is a documented disability that requires them to be in childcare.
Do I qualify?
Each parent in the household must be working a minimum of 20 hours per week. Parents who are attending an accredited training program are eligible if they are working a minimum of 10 hours per week and attending the training program for a minimum of 10 hours per week. A parent under the age of 22 who is attending high school or in a GED program may receive childcare. In a two parent household in which one parent is meeting the work requirement and the other parent is disabled, the family may be eligible for childcare.
The CCIS of Lehigh County is required to use gross income when calculating a family’s eligibility.
- Wages from employment
- Voluntary and court ordered child support
- Alimony
- Supplemental Security Income
- Social Security Benefits
- Welfare benefits
If a client pays out these expenses they may be deductions:
- Child support
- Medical expenses that exceed 10% of the family gross monthly income
Assets cannot exceed 1 million dollars
Income cannot exceed 85% of the State Median Income (SMI)
The total gross income for a family must be below 200% of the federal income poverty guideline to become eligible for the subsidized child care program.
| Family size | 200% FPIG |
| 1 | $24,120 |
| 2 | $32,480 |
| 3 | $40,840 |
| 4 | $49,200 |
| 5 | $57,560 |
| 6 | $65,920 |
| 7 | $74,280 |
| 8 | $82,640 |
How can I apply?
Parents can apply for the program by calling 610-437-6000 ext. 506 to request a paper application be mailed to them.
The CCIS of Lehigh County is located at 1520 Hanover Ave. Allentown, PA 18109. Parents are welcome to come into the office during business hours 8am-5pm Monday thru Friday and request an application in person.
Online applications are also accepted, visit www.compass.state.pa.us
When will I get help with my child care?
Eligibility will be determined by the CCIS within 30 days from receipt of the completed application. When submitting the application, it is very helpful if the parent submits ALL the requested information with their application.
If the family is eligible, the children for whom childcare is being requested will be placed on the waiting list as of the date the CCIS of Lehigh County received their application.
Currently the CCIS of Lehigh County has a waiting list for childcare services. This means that parents must wait until funding becomes available for their child. The parent will be contacted through letter and also by telephone when services available for thier child.
What child care may I use?
Once childcare funding is available, the parent is able to select a childcare provider that best meets their needs. The childcare provider must have a contract with the CCIS to accept children who receive subsidized childcare. The parent also has the option of selecting a private individual to watch their child. This involves a contracting process.
The parent has 30 days from the date that funding becomes available to place their child in a contracted childcare provider. Please visit the Finding Quality Childcare section of the website for more information.
Note to parents who feel they may not be eligible
There are special circumstances that allow parents to be eligible for subsidized childcare. If a parent is not working but they are attending a program through the county assistance office they may be eligible for subsidized childcare. In this case, the parent must contact their county assistance office.
Also, foster parent and kinship care situations allow eligibility to be based on meeting the work hour requirement but not the income requirement.
If special circumstances are present, please contact the CCIS of Lehigh County directly to discuss your situation at 610-437-6000 ext. 506