COVID-19 ESSENTIAL WORKERS
CHILD CARE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS:
On March 24, 2020, Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) authorized Tarrant County Workforce Board to implement emergency child care in response to the global pandemic of COVID-19 using its current Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) funding. This assistance will help support the cost of direct care for workers deemed essential during the COVID-19 emergency for a three-month period. Note: This assistance is available to all Tarrant County CCMS child care providers who remain open during the COVID-19 period and/or those who choose to join CCMS as child care providers for frontline personnel and essential workers.
WHO QUALIFIES AS AN ESSENTIAL WORKER?
Essential workers include the following:
- Pharmacy and health care workers
- First responders
- Critical local and state government staff
- Mail and delivery service staff
- Nursing home, child care, home health care, and other direct care providers
- Grocery store staff
- Gas station staff
- Bank staff
- Restaurant (with drive-through and delivery) staff
- Military personnel
- Any other workers deemed essential by TWC or Boards
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE?
Children of essential workers must meet basic eligibility requirements, that is, a child who:
- Is under the age of 13( or under age 21, if disabled)
- Is a US citizen or legal immigrant; and
- Resides within Tarrant County
WHAT ARE THE INCOME REQUIREMENTS?
Family Size consists of those in the home that can be claimed as dependents on a federal tax return or a minor who is the responsibility of the parent/applicant.
Essential Workers must meet the approved modified state income eligibility threshold—approximately 150 percent of the state’s median income (SMI), either monthly or annually, as follows:
Family Size |
Annual Household Income (Approx. 150% SMI) at or below |
Monthly Household Income (Approx. 150% SMI) at or below |
2 |
$80,000 |
$6,700 |
3 |
$99,000 |
$8,200 |
4 |
$118,000 |
$9,800 |
5 |
$136,000 |
$11,300 |
6 |
$155,000 |
$13,000 |
7 |
$159,000 |
$13,200 |
8 |
$162,000 |
$13,500 |
9 |
$166,000 |
$13,800 |
10 |
$169,000 |
$14,100 |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Please note that funding is based on availability, so financial assistance is not guaranteed.
- When we receive your application form (online, uploaded, or faxed) we will process your request within two business days of the date we receive your completed form.
- During that time, you will be contacted by one of our case workers to complete the eligibility process.
- If you complete the form online, you will receive a confirmation number of your submission. Please write down or save this number! It may be used to track your application if you do not hear back from us.
- When you are waiting to hear back from us, please locate a child care facility you would prefer your child to attend.
- BestPlace4Kids is an excellent resource for this!