Temporary Assistance/Case Management Manual

0210.015.30.25 Child/Incapacitated Parent Care Costs

IM-01 January 3, 2005

  1. Child Care Costs: When child care costs are necessary because of employment or participation in a training program in which wages are received, include payments for the actual cost of care as an earned income expense. Actual child care costs include the amount paid to the provider. Do not allow the cost of transportation to and from the provider. The monthly maximums are $200 per child under age 2 and $175 for children age 2 and over. The cost of care is only allowed for children included in the assistance group. If the participant pays child care expenses for children included in the assistance group as well as for those not included, the amount allowed is either:
    1. the actual cost for the child(ren) in the assistance group when the actual cost can be determined
      • EXAMPLE: The child included in the assistance group is in school and requires after school care at $2 per day. The child not included in the assistance group is in preschool and requires full day care at $5 per day. Allow only the $2 per day expense for the child in the assistance group.
    2. the proportionate share of the costs for the child(ren) in the assistance group when the actual cost cannot be determined
      • EXAMPLE: Three children live in the home. Two children are included in the assistance group, one child is not. All three require after school care at a weekly cost of $30. Allow $20 per week, two-thirds of the total weekly cost.
  2. Incapacitated Parent Care Costs: When care for an incapacitated parent is required due to employment or participation in a training program in which wages are received, include payments for the actual costs of care. Do not allow the cost of transportation to and from the facility. The maximum expense allowed for the care of an incapacitated parent is $175 per month. Obtain a doctor’s statement to substantiate the need for care of an incapacitated parent.

NOTE: The cost of care paid to another member of the same assistance group is not allowed as an expense on the budget. The cost of care is not required to be paid to a registered/licensed provider in order to be allowed as an expense on the TA budget.