Apply for a Child Care Scholarship in Maryland to enable your children achieve their goals. However, a Step-by-Step Guide for the application is very important.
For many years you have been looking for a way to reduce your child care expenses and access high-quality child care and early education programs in Maryland. Well you may be eligible for the Child Care Scholarship (CCS) program, formerly known as the Child Care Subsidy program.
Generally, the CCS program helps eligible families in Maryland pay for child care and early education programs for children under 13 years old. Alternatively, individuals 13-19 years old who have a qualifying disability are also, considered. The program is managed by a centralized vendor, Child Care Scholarship Central 2 (CCS Central 2).
In this article, we will explain the eligibility criteria, income guidelines, application process, and payment timeline for the CCS program. We will also provide you with the child care scholarship phone number, the child care scholarship family portal, and the child care scholarship application (PDF) for your convenience.
Eligibility Criteria for the CCS Program
Importantly, to be eligible for the CCS program, there are notable requirements to meet up with, it includes:
- All applicants must be a Maryland resident who is working/employed, in an approved training program, or attending school. Equally, families where both parents live within the same household, both parents must meet this requirement at the time of application.
- Also, applicants must be a recipient of Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or within the CCS income guidelines.
- Equally, must be the parent or legal guardian of the child or children who needs child care services at the time of application. Importantly, the child or children must be citizens of the United States or qualified aliens status.
- You must choose a child care provider that is licensed by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), or registered with the Maryland Child Care Resource Network (MCCRN). You can find a list of approved providers on the CCS Central 2 website.
Application Process for the Child Care Scholarship Program
To apply for the CCS program, you need to complete and submit the following documents:
- The Child Care Scholarship Application (PDF), will need to includes information about your family, income, child care needs, and provider choice.
- The Child Care Verification Form (PDF), importantly needs to verify your work, training, or school status. You need to have your employer, trainer, or school official fill out and sign this form.
- Importantly, include Proof of Identity and Citizenship (PDF), which shows that you and your child or children are eligible for the CCS program. You need to provide copies of documents such as birth certificates, passports, social security cards, or immigration papers where necessary.
- Also, you can submit your application and supporting documents by mail, fax, or email to CCS Central 2. The contact information is as follows: Mail: CCS Central 2, P.O. Box 17015, Baltimore, MD 21297-1015, Fax: 1-866-243-8796, Email: ccscentral2@conduent.com.
You can also apply online through the child care scholarship family portal, which allows you to create an account. Importantly, ensure you upload documents, check your application status, and renew your eligibility at when due. To use the portal, you need to have an email address and a password.
Payment Timeline for the CCS Program
After you submit your application and supporting documents, CCS Central 2 will review your eligibility. Thus, the notification of every  of the decision is within 30 days. If you are approved, you will receive a Child Care Scholarship Certificate, which shows the amount of assistance you are eligible for. Also, inclusive is the co-payment you are responsible for, and the start and end dates of your eligibility period. You need to sign and return the certificate to CCS Central 2 within 10 days of receiving it.
You also need to give a copy of the certificate to your child care provider, who will use it to bill CCS Central 2 for the child care services. CCS Central 2 will pay your provider directly on a monthly basis, after deducting your co-payment amount. You are responsible for paying your co-payment to your provider by the due date specified by your provider.
You need to re-apply for the CCS program every six months to maintain your eligibility. You will receive a renewal notice from CCS Central 2 within 45 days before your eligibility period ends. You need to complete and submit the renewal application and any updated documents by the deadline indicated on the notice. If you fail to renew your eligibility on time, you may lose your assistance and have to re-apply as a new applicant.
Conclusion
The Child Care Scholarship program is a valuable resource for Maryland families who need help paying for child care and early education programs.
By following the steps outlined in this article, you can apply for the program and access high-quality child care services for your child or children. If you have any questions or need more information, you can contact CCS Central 2 by calling the child care scholarship phone number at 1-800-332-6347 or visiting the CCS Central 2 website.
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