Why Can’t I Get a Daycare Voucher?

I have not worked for two years. I had a baby. Due to my daughter's medical issue, I had to stay home with her.

When I decided to go back to work I got a job at a retail store. The job only paid $8.25 per hour. I have always enjoyed learning. I found the Woman to Woman program that offered computer literacy and workforce development for free. As I worked toward my educational goals, I was concerned about daycare for my daughter.

My husband worked a full-time job but we were still considered low income. So I decided to apply for government assistance. I qualified for food stamps but not for cash benefits. I applied for a child care voucher but I did not qualify. The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) told me I did not qualify for a voucher because I did not qualify for cash benefits. The only way I would qualify for a voucher is if my husband and I did not work. I was I woman trying to improve my life and the government was not willing to help me. I felt sad and confused and I did not know what to do. Finally, I found an aunt to watch my daughter. I paid my aunt one hundred dollars per week which I could barely afford, I decided did a little research and discovered I am not alone.

For example:

“The budget for University of Washington’s Childcare Assistance Programs comes for the Services and Activity fee (SAF). Last year the SAF had a budget of $12 million and allocated $757,055 directly for childcare subsidies. That was not enough funding to provide voucher to 38 percent of the total applicants who qualified.” (The Daily of the University of Washington. “Childcare voucher program underfunded.” October 5, 2007.)

“Among the 11.4 million children younger than 5 whose mothers were employed, 30 percent were cared for on a regular basis by a grandparent during their mother’s working hours.  A slightly greater percentage spent time in an organize care facility, such as a day care center nursery or preschool. Meanwhile 25 percent received care from their fathers. 3 percent from sibling and 8 percent form other relatives when mothers went to work (US Census Bureau News. Press Release: “Nearly Half of Preschoolers Receive Child Care from Relatives.” February 28, 2008.)

In Massachusetts, there are 22 thousand children on the waiting list. The only time a voucher is given in a timely manor is if the mother is homeless or living in a domestic violence situation or a teen parent.

My hope is that one day people who are trying to get out of poverty will have more support. I hope that children of low income families will be able to attend a day care with structure instead of staying with relatives. To allow access to more voucher the qualifications and funding need to be increased. Massachusetts should also keep the DTA Cash Assistance and Childcare Voucher programs separate so that one is not dependent on the other. Why do I have to live in poverty to get daycare for my daughter?

N.S.
Crittenton Women’s Union
Woman to Woman Program Participant

Comments

[Lady]

I totally agree with you. I can say, "yes" if you become eligible for welfare, they will immediately give you a voucher. But, it brings me to this point...working families are given much more red tape to cut through. It is very upsetting that I can be on the waiting list for 2 years because "funding is not open" but the moment that I am eligible for cash assistance, now I can get a voucher. How are working mothers (or fathers) supposed to keep working when they are paying almost what they are making for childcare. I am married with 3 children and it's ridiculous the amount of money I have to pay for childcare. I would say that I am better off staying at home, except that my children are learning at daycare.

Does anyone know if there are any coalitions specifically aimed at helping working mothers (or fathers) with daycare assistance and helping change the system from the way it is set up.

My sister had a voucher, and her daycare worker decides to avoid her for a month and she lost it. Now, she is not eligible for cash assistance and she will have to start paying daycare or quit her job. This is ridiculous.

[Scott Hayes]

What about people like me. A single father who make just over the limit and can not be accepted for any assistance. I make roughly $700 a week before taxes. $112 goes to another child support. Now I have about 350 a week to live on, drive to and from work, feed clothe and car for my daughter. Daycare in my area goes from 180-280 a week. What agency addresses single fathers? This state is nuts in regard to not taking care. If I was an illegal immigrant or some pregnant teen. I would be getting more money than I could count.

[Kate]

AMEN!!!! I AM STRUGGLING WITH THIS EXACT THING RIGHT NOW! I'm in tears right now. I'm primarily a single mother (her father is in South Africa and barely makes anything in comparison with our US dollar) and here I am. I make a reasonable amount of money but not NEAR enough to afford child care. I went to see if if qualified for anything today - I have to make less than $500 a month to qualify for cash benefits/child care voucher.

Sick!

Question - if I were to live in poverty for a few months... and I qualified for DTA cash benefits - am I still on a waiting list for the child care voucher? I'm on that waiting list right now without any of the DTA involved - but they said it's been 2 years since the government has released funds for it. So do let me know if you get the child care voucher right away if you qualify for the cash benefits... either way - this system is an atrocity! Even hard working people are getting shafted. It's sickening. This country is appalling.