Child Care Assistance Program Frequently Asked Questions
- Who can apply for programs or services?
- Where do I apply for programs and services?
- Whom do I contact if I have additional questions prior to applying for programs or services?
- Who has access to my information if I apply for programs or services?
- Are other programs or services available?
- Will there be any cost to me for programs or services?
- Which allowable activities must the caretaker be involved with to have the Child Care Assistance program pay a portion of the bill?
- What are the requirements for providers?
- What is an approved relative provider?
- What does the term "allowable maximum" mean?
- How does the sliding fee scale work?
- What is the maximum family payment?
- Why does it take so long to get a provider on the "systems" and to receive the initial payment?
Q. Who can apply for programs or services?
A. Generally speaking, anyone may apply for assistance. Eligible applicants will ordinarily reside in North Dakota. For additional information, please refer to the program brochure (131kb pdf).
Q. Where do I apply for programs and services?
A. To apply, contact your local County Social Service Office. For local contact information, click on the county closest to your home on the locator map. You may also view the application. Completing the application prior to visiting the County Social Service Office may help to shorten the eligibility determination process.
Q. Whom do I contact if I have additional questions prior to applying for programs or services?
A. The County Social Service Office staff can assist you in the completion of the application and can answer any questions you may have regarding the program.
Q. Who has access to my information, if I apply for programs or services?
A. The Department of Human Services must follow federal and state laws on privacy. Only those individuals whose jobs require them to view your personal information in order to administer the programs or process payments, have access to your information. Department of Human Services staff and County Social Service Office agency staff are bound by strict confidentiality rules that do not allow unauthorized disclosure of your personal information.
Q. Are other programs or services available?
A. The Department of Human Services provides a wide range of programs and services. You can return to the Financial Help page to review other programs that may be available to assist with your financial needs.
Q. Will there be any cost to me for programs or services?
A. The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) payments are based on the sliding fee scale (56kb pdf). If the family must pay a co-pay of the child care bill, the co-pay will be based on the income received during the month and the family size. The family will also be responsible for any amount charged by the provider that is not covered by the CCAP.
Q. Which allowable activities must the caretaker be involved with to have the Child Care Assistance program pay a portion of the bill?
A. The caretaker must be involved in work, job search or training/education.
Q. What are the requirements for providers?
A. A provider must be licensed, self-certified, registered through the Tribes, or be an approved relative. Air Force and out-of state licensed, or out-of-state self-certified providers are also eligible to be providers in the program.
Q. What is an approved relative provider?
A. An approved relative is a provider whose relationship to the child is by blood, marriage, or court decree, and who is a grandparent, great-grandparent, aunt, uncle or sibling. The approved relative must be caring for five (5) or fewer children including their own children under the age of 12. The sibling provider may not be residing in the same residence as the child(ren). The approved relative is not licensed or self-certified; the relative is "approved" only to provide care for specific children.
Q. What does the term "allowable maximum" mean?
A. The "allowable maximum" is the amount of the child care that the Child Care Assistance Program will cover. This amount is based on hours of need for care, the type of provider, and the age of the child(ren). This is the amount used with the sliding fee scale (56kb pdf).
Q. How does the sliding fee scale work?
A. The sliding fee scale (56kb pdf) is based on the number of family members and income received during the month. Based on these two items, the county eligibility worker determines the percentage of the allowable maximum that the Child Care Assistance Program will cover, and what percentage the family will have to pay.
Q. What is the maximum family payment?
A. Even with the sliding fee scale (56kb pdf), the child care expenses for large families or families with a number of younger children may be more than a family can afford. There is a maximum amount, which is the most the family will have to pay. The family will pay the lesser of the two: the maximum family payment or the amount based on the sliding fee scale (56kb pdf).
Q. Why does it take so long to get a provider on the "systems" and to receive the initial payment?
A. If the provider chosen by the parent is not currently self-certified, registered through the Tribes, or an approved relative care giver, these processes must be completed. Once the provider has received necessary approval/license, the provider information must be entered into the Children and Families Services Day Care system. Once that is completed and if a "W9, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification" has been received by the Child Care Assistance Office, then the provider will be entered into the Child Care Assistance Day Care system. Only at that point, the payment can be entered into the Child Care Subsidy Payment system.
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