Who qualifies for Iowa Child Care Assistance in Polk County?
A family whose income is at or below 160 percent of the federal poverty level at application, or 200 percent when the child needs special-needs care, and where each parent works at least 32 hours a week (28 with a special-needs child) or is in approved training.
At renewal a family can stay on with income up to 225 percent, and in some cases higher, under Iowa Administrative Code 441-170.2.
Why does it matter for private school families?
The ESA does not pay for child care or before- and after-school care, so CCA is the program that can help with aftercare at a private school or with younger siblings, if the provider participates.
What Child Care Assistance is and isn't
| It is | It isn't |
|---|---|
| A subsidy for child care and aftercare | A tuition program for K-12 |
| Income-tested at 160% FPL to start | Universal |