Child Care Assistance Program Updates for Providers and Families

Jul 1, 2021

Effective July 1, 2021 the IDHS Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) is making modification to some policies and procedures. This memo is being released to provide information on these changes.

Updates

Parent Co-payment Amounts:
Parent copayments for families with countable income less than 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) will be reduced to $1.00 per month for cases with start dates of July 1, 2021 and later. Most copayment amounts for families with income above 100% FPL are also being lowered. Copayments will remain capped at 7% of family income. Copayments for cases that are already approved will be updated the next time eligibility is determined. Clients may also request their copayments be reviewed any time after July 1, 2021 or whenever they have a reduction in income or increase in family size. Copayment amounts can be found at https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=54862.

Family Income Levels:
The family income amounts to be approved for the Child Care Assistance Program has been updated to current Federal Poverty Levels (FPL) and State Median Income (SMI) amounts. Also, the maximum FPL to continue care for another 12 months at redetermination has increased from 225% FPL to 250% FPL. Both changes allow families with higher income to receive help paying for care. Income levels per family size can be found at https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=118832.

Provider Maximum Daily Rates
All provider rates will increase by 3.5% starting with care given in July. Rates will automatically be updated by IDHS and should show on July billing certificates. Please contact your CCR&R if your program charges less than the new highest rate to avoid any improper payments. Maximum full and part time daily rates based on provider type, location and age of the child can be found at https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=10864.

Attendance Percentage Policies
Attendance Percentage:
Before COVID-19, providers were paid 100% of the approved days if the children attended at least 80% of those days. That percentage is being lowered to 70% effective with care given in July 2021. This change will allow for more stable payments for providers in the event of occasional absences. More information can be found at https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx? item=10862.

Attendance Exemption Requests:
The pre-COVID 19 Attendance Exemptions policy and procedures will resume as of July 1, 2021. Licensed child care centers may apply for an Attendance Exemption when an extraordinary event (a natural disaster a mechanical breakdown or severe weather causes schools and businesses to close. Attendance Exemptions can also be granted due to an epidemic that causes at least half of the children to be absent. A case of communicable disease occurring in a child care facility is not considered a reason for the facility to close, unless it is an emergency. Providers can request Attendance Exemptions by emailing DHS.CCAP.POLICY@illinois.gov More information can be found at https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=10571.

Expiring Policies

School-age Children
Now that Illinois has entered Phase 5 of reopening, school aged children approved for CCAP will not be eligible for CCAP payments during the school day. CCAP will also no longer pay to cover time that the child is doing their school's remote learning activities as was done during earlier phases of Restore Illinois.

Clients Attending On-line Classes
New applicants taking on-line classes must meet requirements listed in CCAP Policy Section 01.03.03 Procedure IV https:// www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=36624. Current cases will remain as they are currently approved for the remainder of their current eligibility periods. All requirements must be met at the end of the end of the current period to be re-approved.

Parent Signatures on Certificates
Parent signatures must be on Child Care Certificates for home providers starting in July.

Announcements

State of Illinois Accounting System:
CCAP payments being made after July 1, 2021 will be issued through a new accounting system. Although it is not expected, some payments may be delayed as the system is fine tuned. Providers can continue to call 800-804-3833 to hear the entry date of their payments the working day after the CCR&R enters it. For basic issued payment information (date of issue, dollar amount…), providers can go to the Office of the Comptroller website at www.illinoiscomptroller.gov On main page go to the VENDOR tab, then click on the VENDOR PAYMENTS button. Providers then enter their SSN or FEIN and their name as it is listed with Office of the Comptroller to access payment information.

Illinois Cares for Kids website
Illinois Cares for Kids, Illinois' new early childhood consumer education website, is the one place parents, grandparents, and caretakers can access all things related to early childhood in Illinois. You can find resources, programs, and assistance for children based on their age. Check it out here!! https://www.illinoiscaresforkids.org/

Topics

CCAP