Frequent Pitfalls

If you apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Colorado Works, or other benefits programs, be sure to let them know you need help paying for child care, and ask how to apply.

When you apply for the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP), you must provide either:

• Copies of pay stubs, or other documents showing where you work and how much you earn, or
• Proof that you are enrolled in an education program.

You have up to 30 days to send in copies of these documents or CCCAP won't help pay for your child care. If you can't get the documents you need, talk with your county child care worker. The county worker may also call your employer to ask about your hours and wages.

If you get help from the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) to pay some of your child care costs, it is up to you to choose the best child care for your family. Once you decide on a person or facility for the child care, you must report their name, address, and phone number, and if they are licensed to your local county human services department, so they can approve paying that provider. Do this before your child starts going to that child care provider. If you don't, CCCAP will not pay the costs of any child care.

If the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) helps pay for your child care and you change your child care provider, you must tell your local county human services department before your child starts going to the new person or facility. If you don't, you might have to pay for any care your child gets before the new provider is approved by your county.

Plus, you must tell your local county human services department within four weeks if:

• Your income changes
• Your child care schedule changes, or
• There are any other changes that might affect your eligibility for CCCAP.

If you get Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) benefits, the parent fee is the amount you must pay to your child care provider at the start of each month, and then CCCAP pays the rest of the cost to the provider. The parent fee is on a sliding scale of 1% to 14% of your household income. Where you are on the sliding scale depends on the size of your household, your income, the number of children getting child care, and the total number of child care hours needed.

Note: If you do not pay your monthly parent fee, your CCCAP services may end, and you might not be able to get these benefits in the future. You must pay your parent fee even if you change child care providers.

If the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program helps pay some of your child care costs, every 12 months you must fill out a Redetermination of Eligibility Form so your county can see if you still qualify for CCCAP. If your current income is more than the Exit Income Limit, your CCCAP will end.

You must fill out and turn in the redetermination form to your local county human services department with proof of your current situation (such as 30 days of paycheck stubs and your work schedule). If you don't submit the form and needed documents, your county will end your child care benefits.