Provider Portal and Electronic Payment FAQs
Q. What is the Care 4 Kids Provider Portal?
A. The Care 4 Kids Provider Portal is a web site developed by Care 4 Kids for providers to select and maintain their electronic payment information, manage electronic delivery of Care 4 Kids notices and access to invoices and payment summaries.
Q. How much will Care 4 Kids pay?
A. The amount Care 4 Kids pays is calculated at the time the child care certificate is issued. To see a sample of a child care certificate, click here.
Q. Will I receive the breakdown that shows how much I was paid for each child in my care?
A. Yes, an electronic payment summary includes the payment details for each child. The payment summary is available in the provider portal. To see a sample of an electronic payment summary, click here.
Q. How do I enroll for electronic payments?
A. Go to the secure provider web portal through the Care 4 Kids website: www.ctcare4kids.com
Q. Do I have to receive my payments electronically?
A. Yes.
Q. I received my PIN in the mail, now what do I do?
A. Click on the Register button on the Provider Portal Web Page. For detailed instructions click on this link.
Q. It is asking me to enter a PIN, what is that?
A. A PIN is a Personal Identification Number that is required to register and create your profile on the Care 4 Kids Provider Portal. You will automatically receive a PIN in the mail.
Q. What are a User Name and a Password?
A. User Name’s and Password’s are unique identifiers created by a user to access the C4K provider web portal securely. You should not share your User Name and/or Password information with anyone.
Q. How are a User Name and Password different from a PIN?
A. The User Name and Password are security features entered into the computer when someone is accessing the online Provider Portal. A Personal Identification Number (PIN) is used for initial registration only, to create your profile in the Care 4 Kids Provider Portal.
Q. What if I forgot my User Name or Password?
A. Click on the link Forgot User Name or Forgot Password on the main screen of the Care 4 Kids Web Portal.
Q. How do I choose a payment method?
A. Click on the Payment Method button on the Provider Portal Web Page and choose your payment method. Licensed child care centers, group homes, summer camps and school based programs can only receive payment by Direct Deposit. Licensed family homes and unlicensed individuals can choose to receive payment either by Direct Deposit into their bank account or by a Care 4 Kids Prepaid Debit Card.
Q. What is a routing number and why do we need it?
A. Nine digit number that identifies your banking institution for the purpose of direct deposit.
Q. The website said my routing number is not valid but it is the one on the check. What’s wrong?
A. Some financial institutions (especially the larger ones) use a different routing number for direct deposit payments. If you are confident you typed the routing number correctly and are still getting the error, please call your bank and ask them to verify the routing number for direct deposit (ACH).
Q. Is the PIN that I use for creating my account in the provider web portal the same PIN that will be used with my Care 4 Kids prepaid Debit Card? What about the 4 digit PIN used for automated payment information when I call the Care 4 Kids program?
A. There are 2 different PIN numbers associated with Electronic Payment.
- The PIN you received in the mail from Care 4 Kids is used for initial registration to create your profile in the Care 4 Kids Provider Portal.
- If you have selected the Care 4 Kids Prepaid Debit Card as your method of payment, the card is issued by Key Bank, and prior to using the card, you will select a PIN that is only for use with the Care 4 Kids Prepaid Debit Card.
Q. What should I do if I am locked out of the system?
A. You will need to Request a New PIN by clicking on the link on the login screen of the C4K Provider Portal. Requesting a new PIN will deactivate your user profile in the Provider Portal. Care 4 Kids will mail you a new PIN within 7 business days. Once you receive the new PIN, you will need to re-register with the new PIN in the Provider Portal to reactivate your user profile.
Q. What do I do if I have any additional questions or problems with my Care 4 Kids Prepaid Debit Card, including lost or stolen card and balance inquiries?
A. Please contact Key Bank directly at 1-866-295-2955 or www.Key2Benefits.com
Q. Can I split my payments between a checking and savings account for direct deposit?
A. No. The payment can only be deposited into a single account, either a checking or savings account.
Q. Who can select a Prepaid Debit Card as their payment method?
A. Prepaid Debit Cards are only available to Licensed Family Day Care Providers and Unlicensed Individuals. These individuals can also select Direct Deposit. Center based programs are only eligible for Direct Deposit.
Q. Where can I use the Care 4 Kids Prepaid Debit Card?
A. Retail Locations
You can use your prepaid debit card anywhere that accepts Mastercard debit cards, including grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, and more. You cannot use the prepaid debit card to purchase gas at the pump; however, you can bring it to the cashier using the credit option.
Automated Teller Machines (ATM)
You can use your prepaid debit card to withdraw cash in local currency at over 900,000 ATMs throughout the world, with surcharge-free access at Key Bank, People’s Bank, and Allpoint ATMs in the United States. Just look for ATMs that display the logos on the back of your prepaid debit card.
Q. When will I be able to start using my Care 4 Kids Prepaid Debit Card?
A. Upon enrollment, you will receive the Care 4 Kids Prepaid Debit Card and detailed user instructions in the mail from Key Bank. Your next Care 4 Kids payment and every payment after that will be deposited to your Care 4 Kids Prepaid Debit Card. It is important to keep your card secure to avoid paying fees for additional copies.
Q. Can I sign up for Direct Deposit after I have received the Care 4 Kids Prepaid Debit Card?
A. Yes. You can enroll for direct deposit at any time by going to the Care 4 Kids website at www.ctcare4kids.com and logging into the secure provider web portal.
Q. My credit is bad. Can I still sign up for the Care 4 Kids Prepaid Debit Card?
A. Yes. While the Care 4 Kids Prepaid Debit Card looks like a credit card, it is not a credit card. Your credit rating has no effect on signing up for a prepaid debit card.
Q. What fees will I have to pay if I choose Direct Deposit?
A. The State of Connecticut offers Direct Deposit free of charge. Although most banks and credit unions provide direct deposit services without charge, you should check with your financial institution about any fees it may charge.
Q. What fees will I have to pay if I choose Care 4 Kids Prepaid Debit Card?
A. The Care 4 Kids Prepaid Debit Card is offered by The State of Connecticut in partnership with Key Bank. While we have worked together to keep the costs associated with this service as low as possible, certain ATM and other transaction fees may apply. The Care 4 Kids Prepaid Debit Card fee schedule is as follows:
Care 4 Kids Prepaid Debit Card Fee Schedule
| Fee Description | Amount |
| Approved PIN or signature-based purchases | No Charge |
| Declined PIN or signature-based purchases | No Charge |
| ATM withdrawal at KeyBank, Allpoint, and People’s United Bank ATMs | No Charge |
| ATM withdrawal at all other locations in the U.S. | $1.50 per transaction1 |
| ATM withdrawal International | $3.00 per transaction |
| ATM surcharge at KeyBank, Allpoint, and People’s United Bank ATMs2 | No Charge |
| ATM balance inquiry at KeyBank, Allpoint, and People’s United Bank ATMs | No Charge |
| ATM balance inquiry at all other locations | $0.35 per transaction |
| Over-the-counter withdrawals at participating Mastercard member bank branches3 | No Charge |
| Currency conversion on all international transactions | No Charge |
| Text message and email alerts4 | No Charge |
| Automated and live customer service balance inquiry | No Charge |
| Paper and online transaction history (Key2Benefits.com) | No Charge |
| Replacement card | 1 per year at no charge, then $5.00 each |
| Overnight delivery of replacement card | $17.50 |
| Inactivity Fee | $1.50 per month (after 12 consecutive months of inactivity) |
| Online bill payment | No Charge |
| Funds transfer to a personal checking/savings account | No Charge |
| Monthly Maintenance Fee | No Charge |
| Limit Description | Amount |
| Get cash (ATM withdrawal) | $1,500 per day5 |
| Get cash (PIN point-of-sale cash back) | $2,500 per day5 |
| Get cash (from a bank teller) | $7,000 per day |
| Purchase | $7,500 per day |
1 When you use an ATM not operated by KeyBank, Allpoint (including terminals located internationally), or People’s United Bank, you may be charged a fee by the ATM operator or any network used.
2 Please visit key.com/locator for a current list of KeyBank ATMs and branches, locator allpointnetwork.com for a current list of Allpoint ATMs, and Peoples.com for a current list of People’s United Bank ATMs. There are no surcharge fees at any KeyBank, Allpoint, and People’s United Bank ATM locations.
3 Mastercard member bank branch locations require a withdrawal from the branch teller
4 You may opt in to this feature at Key2Benefits.com. Your telecommunications carrier’s standard text messaging rates may apply.
5 ATM operators and merchants may impose lower limits.