Education for Justice

FACT SHEET G-6

Fall 2011

MFIP TRANSITION YEAR CHILD CARE

WHAT IS TRANSITION YEAR CHILD CARE?

After you get off MFIP, you can still get Child Care Assistance for 12 months if:

• You got MFIP or DWP at least 3 of the past 6 months and
• You work 20 hours per week or more and earn at least minimum wage. In a two-parent family, both parents have to work an average of 20 hours per week each.

HOW DO I GET TRANSITION YEAR CHILD CARE?

· If you get Child Care Assistance now, call your child care worker and say you want Transition Year Child Care when you get off MFIP.

· If you don’t have Child Care Assistance now, ask your financial worker or job counselor how to apply.

· You do not have to “earn your way” off MFIP to get Transition Year Child Care. You can get Transition Year Child Care when you leave MFIP for any reason except being cut off for fraud.

CAN I GET TRANSITION YEAR CHILD CARE WHILE I AM IN SCHOOL?

No. Transition Year Child Care does not pay for child care while you are in school. Regular MFIP Child Care and Basic Sliding Fee Child Care do help you if your schooling is in an approved education plan. Talk to your child care worker about child care options while you are going to school.

CAN I GET CHILD CARE WHILE I LOOK FOR WORK?

Yes. Transition Year Child Care will pay for child care while you look for work – if you tell your child care worker that you are looking for work. If you had a job and quit without good cause they may not pay for your child care. There are limits to how long you can get Child Care Assistance while looking for a job.

HOW MUCH DOES TRANSITION YEAR CHILD CARE COST?

Transition Year Child Care is paid on a sliding scale, based on your family income. The sliding scale is the same as for MFIP Child Care. Like MFIP, if you use a child care provider who charges more than the state maximum, you must pay the difference. There usually is not any increased cost when you move from MFIP Child Care to Transition Child Care.

WHY IS GETTING TRANSITION YEAR CHILD CARE IMPORTANT?

Families who get Transition Year Child Care can get Transition Year Extension child care if there is a waiting list for Basic Sliding Fee Child Care when the transition year ends. If you are not on Transition Year Child Care you may be put on a waiting list to get into the Basic Sliding Fee Program. Basic Sliding Fee Child Care helps families with low incomes that are not on MFIP. The amount they pay depends on the family’s income – just as in Transition Year Child Care and MFIP Child Care.

DO I STILL HAVE TO REPORT CHANGES TO MY WORKER?

Yes. Report changes to your child care worker within 10 days. Changes to report are:

· Change in income,

· Change in place of employment,

· Change of family size,

· Change in marital status, and

· Change of child care providers.

Parents certify every 6 months for their child care help.

WHAT OTHER BENEFITS CAN I GET WHEN MY 60 MONTHS ARE UP?

You can also get:

· Medical Assistance (MA), depending on your income.

· Food Support, depending on your income.

· If you have a crisis after you leave MFIP, you may be able to get Emergency Assistance (EA).

WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CHILD CARE?

Minnesota has a Child Care Resource and Referral Network for every area in the state. You can get child care funds applications, lists of child care providers, and other help by calling the information line at 1 (888) 291-9811.

To find other Legal Aid Society materials, including the fact sheets mentioned in this document, go to www.lawhelpmn.org/LASMfactsheets.

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