Foster care households that meet the minimum Employment Support Child Care (ESCC) work and participation requirements may be eligible to receive a child care subsidy (see policy 240-4). This includes:

• The child of a teen parent in foster care (see policy 425-12).
• Both a foster home placement’s own children and those children in foster care placed with them.
• Be authorized to work in the U.S.
• Be the parent, specified relative, or legal guardian to the child needing care - the child must be a U.S. citizen, refugee or permanent U.S. resident
• Be income eligible based upon your household size and gross monthly income
  • Income limit of 85% of State Median Income (SMI)
• Foster care payments that follow the child in care will be exempt from income limits
• Have a child under age 13 (or under age 18 if child has special needs)
• Work an average of 15 hours or more per week earning at least minimum wage
  • For two parent families, one parent must work an average of 15 hours per week, and the other must work at least 30 hours per week and have a need for care while both parents are working
• Need child care for purpose of employment or training
  • Child care may be approved for select training activities. Minimum work requirements will still need to be met
• In order to utilize child care assistance, your child care provider must be licensed or certified by the Department of Health, Child Care Licensing - this includes family and friend caregivers.

Basic Eligibility Requirements:

Households may remain eligible for continued care for a period of 12 months, as long as their income doesn’t exceed 85% SMI, and they still have a need for child care. Households will be notified annually of their requirement to resubmit their review. Apply for assistance at jobs.utah.gov/mycase/.

Finding a provider

Visit CareAboutChildCare.utah.gov, click on “Search for Care” and enter the appropriate search information such as your location or program name.

• Foster care parents will need to choose a child care provider that is regulated through the Department of Health (DOH), Child Care Licensing (CCL), or select a Family, Friend or Neighbor (FFN) provider that is willing to go through the process with CCL and meet the requirements to receive subsidy payments.
• They can use the Care About Childcare search filter to find a Department of Workforce Services (DWS) Eligible licensed child care provider.
• If they want to use an FFN provider, their provider will need to go here and complete the requirements to obtain a DWS Approval. Providers will be paid directly by DWS at the beginning of each month.

If you need additional help locating child care or free child care referral resources, please call 855-531-2468.