Texas offers government assistance to those who must put their children in day care. The most common assistance programs are NCI and CCMS. NCI provides parents with a small amount of money to reimburse them for day care. As of March 2011, most parents receive several hundred dollars per child, while day care costs an average of $600 to $700 per month. Parents must work at least 25 hours per week to qualify for funding.
Determine if you meet the minimum eligibility. You must have at least one child under 13, or a child under 19 who qualifies as special needs, and qualify as a low-income family. To learn of any new requirements, contact your local Workforce Solutions office and ask to speak to a CPS representative. Ask for the edibility requirements for the current year. See the Resources section for a directory of offices.
Prove your income eligibility using tax returns, a note from your employee or a pay stub. You income cannot exceed 85 percent of the state medium. As of March 2011, medium income in Texas is $55,534 for a three-person family and $64,420 for a four-person family.
Put your child in a licensed day care center 1. Ask the manager for proof that your child is in day care, such as a receipt.
Assemble any other necessary materials, such as birth certificates for your children, proof your child is special needs or proof of government assistance.
Visit your nearby Workforce Solutions office and ask to speak to a CPS representative.
Show the CPS representative your materials and fill out the NCI application forms. At times, there is a waiting list for assistance and you may have to make an appointment to come back in the future.