Page 20

STATE OF CONNECTICUT TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) STATE PLAN 2021-2023  SECTION A - PART I C. SERVICES & NON-ASSISTANCE MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT (MOE) PROGRAMS EFFECTIVE DATE 10/1/20 – 9/30/23  Initial Submission 12/29/20  Revision Page 14 Effective 10/1/06, non-TANF funds (Solely State Funded) are used to provide basic needs payments for rent, utilities and food for eligible families receiving Safety Net Services. TANF Purpose # 1: Provide assistance to needy families so that children may be cared for in their own homes or the homes of relatives. TANF Purpose #2: End the dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work and marriage. Funding: Separate State Program that utilizes state maintenance of effort funds.

C. 4. Child Care Assistance for Employed Persons – Office of Early Childhood

Connecticut provides child care assistance to low-income working families to enable parents to work, including families receiving TFA or transitioning off of TFA.

Initial eligibility for child care assistance is based on countable family income and the need for child care. At application, a family may be eligible if their countable income is below fifty percent (50%) of the state median income (SMI) related to family size. Child support received or paid by the family is not considered countable income. Once determined eligible, a family may receive child care assistance as long as their need for care continues and their countable income remains under eighty-five percent (85%) of the SMI related to family size. There is no time limit on a family’s eligibility for child care assistance.

Child care payment rates are based on several factors including: the local market rate, the child care setting, the number of hours care is needed, the age of the child and the special needs of the child. All working families are required to pay a portion of the approved child care assistance payment. This Family Fee, paid by the family directly to the child care provider, is calculated based on countable family income in accordance with the following scale. COUNTABLE FAMILY INCOME

FAMILY FEE Less than 20% of SMI

2% 20% to 30% of SMI

4% 30% to 40% of SMI

6% 40% to 50% of SMI

8% 50% or more of SMI

10%