3.1 Family Co-payments

Lead Agencies must establish and periodically revise a sliding-fee scale for families receiving CCDF services that varies based on income and the size of the family to determine each family’s contribution (i.e., co-payment) and does not create a barrier to receiving CCDF assistance. In addition to income and the size of the family, the Lead Agency may use other factors as appropriate when determining family contributions/co-payments. Lead Agencies may not use price of care or amount of subsidy payment in determining co-payments. Lead Agencies must ensure that the total payment to a child care provider is not reduced because of family’s lowered or waived co-payment. 3.1.1 Family co-payment Lead Agencies may not charge any family more than 7% of a family’s gross income, regardless of the number of children participating in CCDF. a. What is the maximum percent of a family’s gross income any family could be charged as a co-payment? Previous Wisconsin State Statues required the Lead Agency to charge a family a up to 31% of their family income. Beginning 7/1/2024, the Lead Agency will charge many families no more than 7% of their income, however, families nearing 85% SMI may see a copay maximum amount of 12% of their family income under the new Wisconsin Statute signed into law in 2023. Additionally, as of 6/30/24 the Lead Agency has submitted an implementation waiver to allow the legislative efforts that will be necessary to comply with the 2024 OCC Rule requiring copays do not exceed 7% gross income for all families receiving Wisconsin Shares subsidy payments. b. Does the Lead Agency certify that their sliding fee scales are always based on income and family size (regardless of how many different scales they may use)? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe: 3.1.2 Sliding fee scale Provide the CCDF co-payments for eligible families in the table(s) below according to family size for one child in care. a. Is the sliding fee scale set statewide? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe how the sliding fee scale is set: b. Complete the table below. If the sliding fee scale is not set statewide, complete the table for the most populous locality: -- A B C D E F Family Size Lowest monthly income at initial eligibility where the family is first charged a co-pay (greater than $0). What is the monthly co-payment for a family of this size based on the income level in (A)? What percentage of income is the co- payment in (B)? Highest monthly income at initial eligibility where a family is charged a co-pay before a family is no longer eligible. What is the monthly co- payment for a family of this size based on the income level in (D)? What percentage of income is this co- payment in (E)? 1 2 85.00 22.80 27.00 5226.00 962.00 18.00 3 108.00 22.80 21.00 6455.00 1073.00 17.00 4 130.00 22.80 18.00 7685.00 1184.00 15.00 5 152.00 22.80 15.00 8914.00 1295.00 15.00 c. What is the effective date of the sliding-fee scale(s)? 02/01/2024 d. Provide the link(s) to the sliding-fee scale(s): https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/dcf/201_252/201.pdf#page=12 e. Does the Lead Agency allow providers to charge families additional amounts above the required co-payment in instances where the provider’s price exceeds the subsidy payment? [ ] No. [x] Yes. If yes: i. Provide the rationale for the Lead Agency’s policy to allow providers to charge families additional amounts above the required co-payment, including a demonstration of how the policy does not provide a barrier and promotes affordability and access for families: The provider’s price used in the copayment calculation does not include additional things for which the provider may charge families, such as transportation costs, field trips, meals, etc. ii. Provide data (including data on the size and frequency of such amounts) on the extent to which CCDF providers charge additional amounts to families: The Lead Agency does not require providers to report on the size and frequency of additional amounts charged to families.