Working Parents Assistance Program (WPA)
Due to limited funding availability, the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services will be implementing a waitlist for the Working Parents Assistance Program. This waitlist will apply only to new applications for children aged 6 years and older.
What You Need to Know:
- Waitlist Start Date: September 9, 2024
- Who Is Affected: New applications for children 6 years and older.
- Current Participants: Families currently receiving assistance will not be affected by this change.
- Why This Is Happening: We are facing a shortfall in available funding, which impacts our ability to accept new applications for school age children. To manage our resources effectively, we are implementing this waitlist.
- Our Commitment: We are actively working to secure additional funding to support all families in need.
- Explore Other Resources: Our team is here to help you find alternative support options within the community.
- Stay Informed: We will provide updates on the funding situation and any changes to the waitlist status.
How to Apply
Application - English
Solicitud - en Español
Documents to Bring
- Proof of earned income such as pay stubs or letter from the employer.
- Proof of all unearned income such as SSDI, veterans' benefits, or unemployment.
- Proof of enrollment in vocational training or undergraduate school attendance.
- Proof of identity such as driver's license, Maryland ID, or passport for parent(s) or guardians.
- Proof of address such as apartment lease, driver's license, or utlity bills with current address.
- Birth certificates--copy of birth certificate for all children in the household, or any other government issued identification.
- Proof of child support--single parents must provide child support documentation or voluntary child support statements.
- Copy of previous year's federal tax return.
Eligibility Requirements
You may qualify for the Working Parents Assistance Program if you:- Are a Montgomery County resident
- Meet income guidelines
- Are a parent of guardian of a child from birth to 13 years old (up to 19 years old if the child has a disability and needs care)
- Are pursuing child support through the court, voluntarily or claim a good cause
- Must be employed 25 hours or more per week or enrolled in a fulltime undergraduate/vocational program or combination of both
- Immigration status is not a requirement for parents or children to participate in the WPA program.
- Your selected child care provider must be licensed by the State of Maryland.
- For families where both parents live within the same household, both parents must meet all eligibility requirements.
Families who meet the following incoming categories may be eligible for the Working Parents Assistance Program (WPA):
| Family Size | Minimum Annual Income* | Maximum Annual Income** |
|---|---|---|
| Family of 2 | $61,223 | $ 88,740 |
| Family of 3 | $75,628 | $111,870 |
| Family of 4 | $90,034 | $135,000 |
| Family of 5 | $104,439 | $158,130 |
| Family of 6 | $118,844 | $181,260 |
| Family of 7 | $121,545 | $204,390 |
| Family of 8 | $124,246 | $227,520 |
| Family of 9 | $126,947 | $250,650 |
| Family of 10 | $129,648 | $273,780 |
| Family of 11 | $132,349 | $296,910 |
| Family of 12 | $135,050 | $320,040 |
| Updated Aug. 30, 2023 |
**WPA Maximum Annual Income - Teen parents and non-parent custodians on the Working Parents Assistance Program (WPA) will have $5,000 deducted from their annual gross income for each child enrolled in child care; if you applied for WPA subsidy and your income falls at or below the applicable minimum income, you must then apply for the State of Maryland Child Care Scholarship Program (SCCSP).
Working Parents Assistance Program payments are made monthly based on the value of the vouchers.
FAQ's
1. What do I do with the voucher I received by email?
You will receive a voucher, covering a period of months, for each eligible child. The voucher will contain the name of the child, the type of care required for that child, the months covered and the amount of the monthly subsidy the child will receive. You will keep one copy and the provider will keep one copy.
2. What if I choose a provider that charges more than the subsidy amount on the voucher?
The WPA Program will only pay the subsidy amount authorized on the voucher. When selecting a provider, discuss all costs before enrollment. The parent is responsible for paying all fees above or in addition to the cost of the child care subsidy voucher.
3. How can the provider get a copy of the client's voucher if they do not have it?
Providers can send an email request to [email protected] .
4. Where does a provider go to submit the monthly invoice for payment?
Visit our website to log in and submit an invoice. If this is your first time logging in, you will be required to register and set up an account.
5. When should a provider submit an invoice for payment?
Complete and return invoices no later than the close of business on the fifth day of the month, following the month that services were provided.
Additional Information
Working Parents Assistance Program (WPA)
Parents and child care providers with questions about the Montgomery County Working Parents Assistance Program (WPA), or who need to provide information to WPA for completion of the child care subsidy application processes, should use the following contact information:
| Parents | Providers | |
| Phone | 240-777-1177 | 240-777-1177 |
| InfoLink | 240-777-1155 | 240-777-1155 |
| [email protected] | [email protected] | |
| Address | 7300 Calhoun Place, Suite 600 Rockville, MD 20850 |
|
State of Maryland Child Care Scholarship Program (SCCSP)
Families who meet the following income guidelines may be eligible for the SCCSP:
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| Updated 7/12/22 |
For questions about the State of Maryland Child Care Scholarship Program (SCCSP), formerly Purchase of Care (POC), please use the following contact information:
| Parents | Providers | |
| Phone | 1-877-227-0125 | 1-877-227-0125 |
| FAX | 202-478-2102 | 202-478-5117 |
| [email protected] | [email protected] | |
| Address | CCS Central 2 P.O. Box 346031 Bethesda, MD 20827 |
CCS Central 2 P.O. Box 346022 Bethesda, MD 20827 |