Special Kids Network

What is it?

The Special Kids Network is a national network of resources and supportive services for children with special needs that provides local information and referrals to their families. The Special Kids Network can connect you with health care products, social services, counseling, occupational therapy, assistive technology (wheelchairs, hearing aids, etc.) recreational activities, and education.

Do I qualify?

You qualify if a child in your family has special needs.

How do I apply?

There is no application for this resource, it's open to everyone! Just call 1-800-986-4550 or TTY: 1-877-232-7640 for information local to you and your child.

Child Care Resource Series: Child Care Works

What is it?

Child Care Works provides assistance to families for child care. The program pays most of your child care expenses at whatever qualified child care facility you choose. It covers children up to 13 years-old; if children are disabled, they can be covered to age 18.

Do I qualify?

The following are the basic guidelines:

• You must live in Pennsylvania

• Have a child or children who need child care while you work or attend an education program

• Meet income guidelines for your family size

• Work 20 or more hours a week - or-

• Work 10 hours and go to school or train for 10 hours a week

• Have a promise of a job that will start within 30 days of your application for subsidized child care

• Teen parents must attend an education program

• The child who needs care must be a citizen of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residency

• Have proof of identification for each parent or caretaker in the home.

• Children are eligible for care from birth until the day prior to the date of the child's 13th birthday. Children with disabilities may be eligible through age 18.

• The parent is responsible to help pay for child care. This is called co-payment. The co-payment may be as little as $5.00 per week and varies according to your income and the number of people in your family.

• The parent may choose the provider of his or her choice. The parent may choose a child care center, a small family day care home, a group day care home or even a relative or neighbor to care for his or her child.

• The parent who is receiving subsidy must choose an eligible child care provider. Relative/Neighbor providers must complete an Agreement with the CCIS, must comply with the participation requirements listed in the Agreement and must complete CareCheck in order to be eligible to participate in the Subsidized Child Care Program. CareCheck is the Department of Public Welfare's program that requires background clearances (see below).

• If funding is not available at the time that a low-income, working parent applies for subsidized child care, the child may be placed on a waiting list.

How do I apply?

To apply, you can use the COMPASS system or call your local Child Care Information Services (CCIS). The number can be found in the County Help Chart.

Insurance Resources Series: CHIP

4. Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

What is it?

• a public health insurance program for children in Pennsylvania that covers all uninsured children, regardless of their parent's income level
• NO waiting list, NO exclusions
• Coverage includes: immunizations, routine check-ups, prescription drugs, dental care, maternity care, mental health benefits, up to 90 days of hospitalization per year, durable medical equipment, substance abuse treatment, partial hospitalization for mental health services, rehabilitation therapies, and home health care

Do I qualify?

• child(ren) must be under 19 years old
• A US citizen and resident of Pennsylvania
• Uninsured and ineligible for Medical Assistance

How do I apply?

•  Apply online with COMPASS
• Call 1-800-986-KIDS to talk with a counselor who can help you

Insurance Resource Series: LifeBridge

3. LifeBridge

What is it?

• a free life insurance plan for families who qualify what will pay $50,000 to a trust for your children's education expenses

Do I qualify?

• between 19 and 42
• the parent or legal guardian of of a dependent child
• a permanent, legal resident of the United States
• currently employed full or part time
• total family income must be between $10,000 and $40,000 annually
• in good health, as determined by Mass Mutual

**You are disqualified if you:

• Have been diagnosed with heart disease, cancer, HIV or Type 1 Diabetes;
• Currently abuse drugs or alcohol or have abused them within the last 10 years; or
• Are currently on probation.

How do I apply?

• Fill out the LifeBridge eligibility form

Or:

• Call Mass Mutual at 1-800-272-2216

Child Care Resources Series: Special Kids Network

5. Special Kids Network

What is it?

• a national network of resources and supportive services for children with special needs that provides local information and referrals to their families

Do I qualify?

• if your child has special needs, yes! The Special Kids Network can connect you with health care products, social services, counseling, occupational therapy, assistive technology (wheelchairs, hearing aids, etc.) recreational activities, and education

How do I apply?

• There is no application for this resource, it's open to everyone! Just call 1-800-986-4550 or TTY: 1-877-232-7640 for information local to you and your child.

Child Care Resources Series: Child Tax Credit

4. Child Tax Credit

What is it?

• a federal tax credit you can claim if you have dependent children*

Do I qualify?

• if you have any children under 17, related to you, who have lived with you for more than half the year

How do I apply?

• See IRS Publication 972 Child Tax Credit, available at IRS.gov or 800-TAX-FORM
• Have your taxes done for free by a trained volunteer with VITA

*You can claim this credit in addition to the Child and Dependent Care Credit!

Child Care Resources Series: Child and Dependent Care Credit

3. Child and Dependent Care Credit

What is it?

• a federal tax credit for working families and individuals for child or dependent care

Do I qualify?

• if you pay for the care of a child 12 years or younger, or older individuals who are physically or mentally unable to care for themselves
• if the child care to allow you or your spouse to work, or look for work
• if you earned income (salaries, wages, tips, net income from self-employment)

How do I apply?

• When filing your taxes, claim this credit by filling out Form 2441 with IRS form 1040 or 1040A
• Have your taxes done for free by a trained volunteer with VITA

Child Care Resources Series: Head Start

2. Head Start

What is it?

• provides medical care, dental care, and healthy meals to children between the ages of 3 and 5*
• provides comprehensive supportive services to their families
• prepares young children for school both socially and academically

Do I qualify?

• Children of households already receiving TANF or SSI, or those in foster care, are eligible automatically
• Otherwise, families are deemed eligible based on income:

• Does your child have special needs? 10% of Head Start spots are reserved for children with special needs.
  

How do I apply?

• Call your local Head Start program; Use this map to locate your county Head Start program, or find it in the county Help Chart
• Or call the Head Start Toll Free information number: 1-866-763-6481

*Early Head Start provides these services for children between the ages of 0 and 2, as well as pregnant women. Early Head Start programs can be reached through regular Head Start locations.

Child Care Resources Series: Child Care Works

1. Child Care Works


What is it?

• provides assistance to families for child care
• pays most of your child care expenses at whatever qualified child care facility you choose
• covers children up to 13 years-old; if disabled, can be covered to 18.

Do I qualify?

• you must have a child or children in need of services
• you must work at least 20 hours per week or work 10 hours per week in addition to 10 hours per week in job training
• your annual family income must fall within these income guidelines:

How do I apply?

• Use the COMPASS site
• Call your local Child Care Information Services office in the County Help Chart

Food Resources Series: Child and Adult Care Food Program

5. Child and Adult Care Food Program


What is it?

• provides free or low cost meals and snacks outside of school- in child care centers, Head Start programs, emergency shelters, as well as day care centers for adults over the age of 60

Do I qualify?

• for children under the age of 12, or with special needs up to age 18, who are already enrolled in SNAP, TANF, Head Start, Even Start of living in an emergency shelter
  
• for adults over the age of 60 who are cared for in adult day care centers and receive Medicaid, Social Security Income, or SNAP
• if neither, you may qualify for free meals if you earn up to 130% of the poverty level; for reduced price meals if you earn up to 185% of the poverty level*

*see NSLP chart


How do I apply?

• through the care center in which your child or adult relative is enrolled- call and ask!
  

Food Resources Series: School Breakfast Program

4. School Breakfast Program

What is it?

• provides free or low-cost breakfasts to school children
• served before classes each morning
  
• meets federal nutrition guidelines for healthy meals to support learning
  

Do I qualify?*
How do I apply?*

*same guidelines and application process as NSLP

Food Resources Series: National School Lunch Program

3. National School Lunch Program

What is it?

• provides free or low-cost nutritious lunches to school children in an effort to encourage learning in school
• children can receive these lunches in school, as well as snacks during after-school programs, until age 18
  

Do I qualify?

• If your family receives SNAP benefits or TANF already, you automatically qualify for NSLP!
  
• If your income is at or below 130% of the poverty level, your children qualify for free school lunches
• If your income is between 130% and 185% of the poverty level, your children qualify for reduced-price school lunches:
  

Effective through June 30, 2011 

How do I apply?

• Apply on COMPASS
  
• Ask your child's school for an application and information
  

Food Resources Series: WIC

2. WIC: the supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants and Children

What is it?

• provides food and nutrition information to pregnant women or mothers with young children to support healthy children and families, including foster mothers

Do I qualify?

• you must reside in Pennsylvania
• you must be pregnant or have a child less than 5 years old
  
• eligibility is also based on income:

Effective July 1, 2010

How do I apply?

• Find your local WIC office by county here or use the County Help Chart!