Child Care Program Office
Information for Parents: PASS II Child Care Assistance
Eligibility
If you are transitioning off of the Alaska Temporary Assistance Program,
you may be eligible for assistance for up to twelve months from the
PASS II Child Care Assistance Program to help pay child care costs
while you
work or participate in an education or training program. If eligible,
you can receive child care assistance for children who are under
the age of
13, or up to the age of 19 if your child has a developmental disability.
Your family may be eligible for child care assistance if you are:
- Working
- Attending school
- In job training
Eligibility is also based on your family size and your gross income
(before taxes).
Contribution
Depending on your family’s monthly income, you may be responsible
to contribute toward your child care costs. The contribution
is the amount you are required to toward your child care costs each
month regardless
of how many children are in care or the number of hours they
are in care.
However, you will still be responsible for any costs your child
care provider charges over the state rate, or for any care
used outside
of authorized
timeframes.
See what your costs might be by trying the Child
Care Contribution Calculator.
Child Care Hours
The number of child care hours covered each month is determined
by your schedule of eligible activities combined
with your need for
child care.
An authorization will be issued covering the timeframe
for which your family is eligible.
You will be responsible for any child care costs
your provider charges over the state rate or for
any care
used outside
of authorized timeframes.
How to Apply
Eligibility for PASS II child care assistance is not
automatic! You
must apply for PASS II child care assistance by submitting an application to a local Child Care Assistance office. You will also need to provide
a copy of the PASS II Referral notice you received from your DPA
local
office.
If you are eligible for PASS II child care assistance, you will be
issued an authorization for up to six months. In most cases, you
will be required
to update your information every six months.
PASS II Payments
Unless you choose to hire an in-home
child care provider, the authorized
child care amount minus your contribution is paid directly to your
child care provider on a monthly basis.
If you choose to have a child care provider care for your children
in your own home, you are considered their employer. The authorized
child
care amount minus your contribution is paid directly to you on
a monthly basis, which you must then use toward your in-home provider’s
wages. Contact your local Child Care Assistance office to learn more
about the
requirements of in-home care to determine whether it is right for
you.
Child Care Assistance may also offer a supplement to child care
providers who care for children with special needs. Please contact
your local Child Care Resource and Referral agency for information on the
special needs
supplement.