Using a child care subsidy (CCS) calculator is a great way to get an estimate of the amount of child care subsidies you will be eligible for. If you know your family’s income, and what type of child care is needed, you can quickly calculate the amount of subsidy you will receive. The calculator can also be helpful if you are trying to decide if a particular type of child care is worth the cost.
Estimate your family’s subsidy amount
Whether you’re a parent or child care provider, you need to be able to estimate your family’s CCS subsidy amount. The amount of CCS is calculated by Centrelink based on your family’s income. The amount you receive will depend on your personal situation, but the amount of CCS you receive should be greater than the cost of child care.
The Centrelink entitlements estimator is a great tool to find out how much you’re entitled to. You can estimate your family’s CCS subsidy amount based on your income and how many children you have.
The Centrelink entitlements estimator uses your current year income data and will change depending on your family’s situation. It’s a good idea to update your estimates at least twice a year. It’s also a good idea to read the Family Assistance Guide (Version 1.238) to find out more about how you’re entitled to CCS and how to calculate it.
Recognised activity
Using the Centrelink calculator to find out how many hours of approved child care you are entitled to isn’t the only way to find out. You can also opt for a more hands-on approach by reporting your hours of employment – or lack thereof – directly. This enables Centrelink to provide you with an accurate and timely answer to your enquiry. The results will be more personal and less bureaucratic, and the information you provide will be relevant to your application and your family, instead of being thrown to the wind.
The Centrelink calculator has a nifty little trick for you to use as you tick off your hours of employment. The calculator will provide you with a shortlist of your activities of choice – all in a matter of seconds. The list of activities will include the ones you are currently engaged in, and those you are considering for the future.
Child care subsidies for preschool aged children
During the past two decades, the federal government has dramatically expanded its child care subsidy programs. They are designed to improve access to care for low-income families, and explicitly aim to help welfare recipients find employment.
Subsidies can provide parents with more money for child care, but some studies indicate that they don’t necessarily lead to higher quality care. There are other sources of subsidized child care that are more cost-effective, such as Head Start and public school-based preschool.
The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) is the largest federal child care program. It provides subsidies to low-income families, and serves nearly two million children per month. It is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services. The fund allows states to select the parents who receive subsidies, and allows great flexibility in determining eligibility.
Subsidies are not designed to increase the quality of care. Instead, they may be intended to help families find care. Some studies have found that parents do not reliably identify high-quality care, and that they value convenience, reliability, and cost when choosing child care.
Child care subsidies for older children
Whether you’re an employer, a business owner, or a parent, quality child care is a necessity. But quality care is often out of reach for many working families. Fortunately, there are many subsidies that help families afford child care.
One such subsidy program is the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF). The CCDF is a federally funded program that helps families afford high quality child care. CCDF funds are appropriated each year by Congress, and states must contribute a minimum amount to the fund. This funding helps the CCDF invest in initiatives to improve the quality of child care. The CCDF also helps early educators develop skills.
Subsidies are available to eligible families for children up to age 13, but there are a few important limitations. One of the main limitations is that the parent must be a U.S. national and must have a satisfactory immigration status. In addition, the parent must participate in an approved training program for at least 10 hours per week.
Busy Bees have a child care subsidy calculator that you can use. Reach out to them to ask for assistance.