OLR Bill Analysis

sHB 5426

AN ACT CONCERNING CHILD CARE SUBSIDIES FOR THE UNEMPLOYED UNDER THE CARE 4 KIDS PROGRAM.

SUMMARY:

This bill requires the Department of Social Services (DSS) commissioner to establish eligibility and program standards that include the provision of an extended eligibility period of up to 26 weeks for individuals receiving child care subsidies under the department's Care 4 Kids program who become ineligible for the subsidy due to a temporary interruption in employment or other approved activity. It requires this 26-week extended eligibility coverage be paid within available resources from federal stimulus funds received by the state that can be used for the Care 4 Kids program.

Current law requires DSS to provide extended eligibility to these individuals, but it does not specify a time frame; DSS regulations allow extended coverage to be provided for up to eight weeks (Conn. Agency Reg. §17b-749-19g). (The bill does not specify whether the 26-week extended eligibility coverage is in addition to the eight weeks of coverage DSS currently provides pursuant to its regulations. )

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2009

BACKGROUND

Care 4 Kids

The Care 4 Kids program provides child care subsidies for children under age 13 or special needs children under age 19. Subsidies are provided to qualifying families with a parent or caretaker who is (1) working; (2) going to high school; or (3) receiving cash assistance under the state's Temporary Family Assistance (TFA) program and participating in an approved education, training, or other job preparation activity.

Program applicants must have incomes below 50% of the state's median ($ 39,405 for a three-person family in 2009). Once enrolled, families remain eligible until their incomes reach 75% of the state's median ($ 59,107 for a three-person family in 2009). There is no waiting list currently; but by law, if one is established, preference goes to applicants who are:

COMMITTEE ACTION

Human Services Committee

Joint Favorable Substitute