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Financial Assistance
Paying for child care can be a struggle. In fact, child care is most likely the second largest expense next to housing. But, you may be able to reduce your child care costs or receive assistance to help pay for child care.
State Child Care Subsidies
- Earned Income Tax Credit
- Head Start
- Employer/College Support
- Public School Preschool Programs
- Child Care Scholarships
State Child Care Subsidies
The state subsidy assistance program provides funding to enhance the quality, affordability, and supply of child care available to Virginia's families.
You may apply for assistance by contacting your local department of social services. You can also pick up an application any time during office hours, or you can ask the agency to mail an application to you. You may also need to be interviewed by an eligibility worker, depending on the type of assistance you are requesting.
Tax Credits For Child Care (Earned Income Tax Credit)
The EITC is best for: Single people or married couples with low incomes.
To receive this credit you must: Have a yearly salary that meets the limits based on the number of children you have. If you are married, your filing status must be married filing jointly.
Child Tax Credit
Do you know that you can receive a tax credit of up to $1,000 for each child that you have under the age of 17?
This credit is best for: Parents with children under the age of 17. You earn a credit for each child under 17.
Child And Dependent Care Tax Credit
This tax credit has several requirements. However, if you do quality for this credit, you can deduct a lot of the child care or dependent care expenses you paid in 2003. This credit is best for:
- Working parents (both parents have to work) with children under the age of 13 who are in child care or in an after school care program.
- One parent who works and the other parent is a full-time student who doesn't work and they have children under the age of 13 who are in child care or in an after school care program
- Anyone who pays for the care of his or her spouse who has a disability and who is unable to care for himself or herself.
- For more information visit the IRS website.
Head Start is a national child development program for children from birth to age 5, which provides services to promote academic, social and emotional development for income-eligible families.
Head Start is the most successful, longest-running, national school readiness program in the United States. It is a direct federal to local program serving low-income children. The program promotes comprehensive education, health, nutrition, dental, mental health, social services and parental involvement opportunities.
Many Head Start programs also offer home-based services to families and child care for infants and toddlers through Early Head Start. Head Start is a recognized leader in providing services to children with disabilities, children of migrant workers and Native American families.