Family Information
*Any information provided herein is for general reference purposes only. Official publications are available with the Office of Early Childhood.
Click on a question below to view more information on the subject.
- How do I know if I am eligible for Care 4 Kids?
- How do I apply for Care 4 Kids?
- How much will Care 4 Kids pay?
- What is a Family Fee/Family Share?
- What if I am self-employed?
- Who can be a Care 4 Kids child care provider?
- How do I choose a child care provider?
- How do I contact Care 4 Kids?
How do I know if I am eligible for Care 4 Kids?
Am I eligible?
Click here to use the quick and easy eligibility screening tool and apply online
You can also use the income guidelines table to see if your family income meets the Care 4 Kids requirements. It does not guarantee that you are eligible for the program, but will give you an idea if your income is within the program’s limits. You need to apply for the program to be sure you are eligible because some of your income may not be countable for this program.
There are a number of other requirements, too. You need to live in Connecticut and be working or attending a Jobs First training or education activity. Your children need to be under age 13 (or under age 19 if the child has special needs).
For more information call 1-888-214-5437
Use the income guidelines table to find out if your family income meets Care 4 Kids requirements.
Care 4 Kids is providing families with longer eligibility with limited reporting of changes.
- Increase from an 8 month certificate to a 12 month certificate.
- Families who lose their job or stop an approved activity will be given up to a 3 month job search certificate.
- Families will only need to report the following changes:
- Loss of employment or loss of an approved training activity
- Change of child care provider
- Income over 85% of the State Median Income (SMI)
- Child receiving Care 4 Kids benefits is no longer in the home
- Address/phone number
How do I apply for Care 4 Kids?
You can now apply online or print an application off of this website.
- Care 4 Kids Online Application
- Care 4 Kids Application Form
- Care 4 Kids Consumer Education Statement
- Care 4 Kids Declaración de Educación del Consumidor
You can also call 1-888-214-5437 and ask that one
be sent to you.
You will be asked to send back certain documents,
like paycheck stubs, with your completed Application.
If you have already chosen a child care provider, you and the
provider need to fill out and return a Parent-Provider Agreement
Form called a PPA. You need to fill out a separate PPA for each provider you use.
Care 4 Kids reviews your Application and PPA. If your case is granted, you are sent an approval letter with a Child Care Certificate that authorizes payment.
If your Application is not approved, you are sent a letter explaining why your Application cannot be approved at this time.
If you have completed filling out an Application, but have not chosen a provider, you can send in the Application anyway. When you and the provider complete the PPA, send it in. Child Care Certificates cannot be issued until the PPA is received.
How much will Care 4 Kids pay?
The amount Care 4 Kids pays is decided at the time the Certificate is created. A number of different factors are used.
For the family, the program looks at:
- the parents’ work or training schedule;
- the age of the child;
- the hours of care the child needs;
- if the child has special needs; and
- the countable family income.
For the provider, the program looks at:
- where the provider is located in the state;
- the type of provider; and
- if the provider is accredited (click here for accreditation information)
Click here to see the Care 4 Kids Payment Rates.
What is a Family Fee/Family Share?
Families with countable income shall be responsible for paying a portion of the authorized cost of care, called a Family Fee. The parent is responsible to pay the child care provider the family fee amount in addition to all child care charges not covered by Care 4 Kids. The family fee amount is calculated by comparing a percentage of the family’s countable income to the State Median Income (SMI) guidelines for the family size. The amount of the family fee is shown on the Child Care Certificate.
Family Share/Family Fee | SMI Family Income Range |
0% | 0% to less than 20% SMI |
3% | 20% to less than 40% SMI |
5% | 40% to less than 60% SMI |
7% | 60% to at or below 85% SMI |
What if I am self-employed?
At Application, self-employed individuals must be earning taxable income at the time they initially request assistance.
At Redetermination, self-employed individuals must be earning an hourly wage that is at or above State of Connecticut’s current minimum wage. This is calculated based on the weekly or monthly income earned divided by the number of hours involved in the work activity. Individuals should submit the verification that shows the current business income.
- Individuals who filed a business tax return last year and whose income has not changed significantly can provide the IRS 1040, Schedule 1 and Schedule C.
- Individuals whose business has changed significantly over the past year or did not file business income tax return last year may use the Self-Employment Form .
Who can be a Care 4 Kids child care provider?
Families choose the child care provider they want for their children.
Care 4 Kids can help pay for care:
- with a close relative in the child’s home or in the close relative’s home. A close relative is defined as: grandparent/great grandparent, aunt/uncle, and sibling (only a sibling living outside of the child’s home);
- in a day care center, family day care home, or a group day care home that is licensed by the Office of Early Childhood;
- in a public or private school-based child care program that passes a health and safety inspection by the Office of Early Childhood Licensing Program.
How do I choose a child care provider?
Choosing a child care provider for your child is a very important decision. You want to look for a place that gives your child a safe, child-centered environment and supports the child’s growth and development.
You want to find the right place and people to care for your child. The best way to do that is to visit a center or home. You need to observe and interview the people providing care and evaluate the location.
Look for a provider who:
- is warm and caring…how does she/he deal with a crying child
- is attentive and responsive…how does she/he talk to children
- wants to be a child care provider…why is she/he a child care provider
- wants to learn more about children…does she/he attend classes or read articles on children
- plans experiences for the children…what does she/he plan for the children to do each day
- has a support system…does she/he talk to other providers or belong to a group
- follows business practices…does she/he ask for a phone number where you can be reached during the day
Here is a checklist you can use to evaluate your choices.
- Will my child be happy and grow in this environment?
- Is this provider affordable and available to meet my family’s child care needs?
- Do I feel good about choosing this provider?
For help finding a child care provider, call 2-1-1 Child Care at 2-1-1 or 1-800-505-1000.
Call 1-888-214-5437 for more information about provider options.
How do I contact Care 4 Kids?
It’s easy to get help and the answers to all your questions. You can call 1-888-214-5437 and talk with a Care 4 Kids representative from 8 am – 5 pm Monday – Friday, or from 8 am – 6 pm on Thursday.
You can mail, fax or drop off applications and other forms to the Care 4 Kids office. Located at:
- 55 Capital Boulevard
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
The drop-box for applications and other forms is located in the parking lot island.
- Fax 1-877-868-0871
You can also contact the Care 4 Kids program with general questions through this website, click here to send a Message.