Families living in Huron County may qualify to have all or part of their child care costs paid by the County of Huron, when child care is provided at a licensed child care centre or by a licensed home child care provider.

Generally, child care costs are the responsibility of parents. Child care subsidies are available to families living in Huron County that meet certain employment and financial qualifications. Eligibility for financial assistance, or child care subsidy, is determined by guidelines set by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services.

In order to qualify for subsidy parents need to be participating in one of the following approved activities:

• Employed or self employed, and working full or part time
• Training or educational program
• Employment assistance activity as approved under the Ontario Works program
• Parent(s) of a special needs child (medical, emotional or social problem) referred by a professional working with the family.

Until December 31, 2006, eligibility for a child care fee subsidy was determined through a needs-based test. Beginning January 2007, financial eligibility for child care subsidy is determined by an Income Test.

The new Income Test means more families with children in licensed child care up to age twelve can receive a fee subsidy and reduce their child care costs.

Eligibility for child care subsidy under the new test is based on net family income only; assets, debts, living expenses and family size are not considered under the Income Test. To apply for and be eligible for child care subsidy, families must file and income tax return annually.

Families with an annual income under $20,000.00 are eligible for full subsidy and those families over $20,000.00 are subject to a sliding scale targeting a broader range of incomes.

At the time of application, you will be required to provide the following items to complete and Income Test:

• Verification of birth for all individuals living in the home
• Copy of your most recent Canada Child Tax Benefit Notice, or if you have not received any federal Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) payments bring your most recent Federal Notice of Assessment instead
• Verification of parent(s) current employment or schooling enrollment
• Referrals from professionals as requested.

If you are interested in completing an application for child care subsidy or have questions regarding Income Testing, please contact our office at 519.482.8505 or toll-free at 1.888.371.5718.