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Childcare
Subsidy Program |
What is the Child Care Subsidy Program? |
The Child Care Subsidy Program helps low-income Alberta
families with the child care costs for their preschool
children who are attending licensed day care centres or
approved family day homes. The program is operated by
Alberta Family and Social Services. |
Who Can Apply? |
You can apply for subsidy if:
-You need more than
fifty hours* of child care per child each month
-Your child (or children) has not yet enrolled in grade
one and has not yet reached their seventh birthday
-You are employed (or self-employed), attending school
or a training program, or looking for work
-You or your child has a medical, physical, psychological,
or other special need.
*For children or parents with special needs, subsidy
may be approved for less than fifty hours of child care
if income testing is met.
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Subsidy Amount |
The amount of subsidy varies, depending on:
-Net family income
-Family size
-Number of hours of childcare needed each month.
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Extra Fees |
If your child's day care centre or family day home agency
charges higher fees than you get for subsidy, you are
responsible for the extra amount, including registration
fees and deposits. |
How do you Apply? |
Application forms are available at day care centres, approved
family day home agencies and the Regional Subsidy Offices
(refer to addresses on the back).
Complete the application form and the
Child Placement Form and submit them along with supporting
documentation to the Regional Subsidy Office in your
area.
The
office will review your application and determine if
you are eligible for subsidy. Both you and your day
care centre or day home will receive a letter telling
you if you qualify.
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Appeals |
You may appeal a decision within 30 days through you Subsidy
worker, Subsidy Supervisor/Regional Day Care Coordinator
and Regional Manager. Appeal forms are available at the
Subsidy Office. |
How is Subsidy Paid? |
If you qualify, the subsidy will be paid directly to your
day care centre or family day home agency on your behalf. |
Change in Your Situation |
If there is a change in your circumstances, you should
contact your Regional Subsidy Office right away and fill
out a Renewal/Change of Information form, which can also
be used to renew your subsidy. Do not send in another
application form. Failing
to report a change in your situation could mean you
would have to return a portion of, or all your subsidy.
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What Kind of Income do you Report? |
The application form explains what income to report. You
must include all income from work, even if you're self-employed.
Child Tax Benefits and GST credits are not counted as
income. Here are some other kinds of income you must include:
- Education income (grants,
bursaries, scholarships, etc.)
- Rental income (income from rent, room and board, etc.)
- Business income (farming, self-employed income, etc.)
- Orphans benefits or Survivor's Benefits
- Pension income (CPP, Widow's Pension, Old Age Security,
etc.)
- Disability payments
- Employment Insurance benefits
- Holiday pay, tips, commission, or bonuses
- Income from investments (interest income, oil royalties,
etc.)
- Awards and settlements (court settlements, divorce
settlements, insurance, inheritances, etc.)
- Maintenance and child support you receive
- Treaty benefits
- Income in-kind (eg. Rent paid for you by our spouse
or employer)
The following items are deducted from your income:
-
Income tax
- Employment insurance contributions
- Canada Pension Plan contributions
- Union dues or professional fees
- Compulsory payroll deductions (insurance, pensions,
etc.)
- Alberta Health Care premiums, dental plan premiums,
or other health plan premiums
- Maintenance and child support payments you are paying
- Mandatory work expenses
- Tuition, books supplies (if you don't have a student
loan)
- Medical expenses you don't have coverage for
- Psychiatrist, psychologist, physiotherapist, or addiction-counseling
fees
- Other child care fees (out-of-school or extra-hours
care)
The Child Care Subsidy application form contains the
exact kinds of income you must include and the precise
items you are allowed to subtract form your income.
Contact your Regional Day Care Office (listed to the
right) or your day care centre for an application form.
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Child
and Family Services
Day Care Services
9th Floor, Alberta Place
1520 - 4th Street SW
Calgary AB T2R 1H5
Telephone: 297-6100
Fax: 297-7228 |
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