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First Financial Associates (FFA, or First Financial) has put together
a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to help answer questions that FAA employees may have about the
FAA Child Care Subsidy Program (CCSP). The questions are grouped into the 3 categories below:
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Applying for a subsidy from the FAA CCSP
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Determining eligibility for the FAA CCSP
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Requirements after receiving a FAA CCSP award
Applying for a Child Care Subsidy from the FAA CCSP
Q: How do I apply for an award from FAA CCSP?
A: Complete an OPM 1643 Form, Child Care Subsidy Program Application, for the FAA CCSP.
FAA employees may download an application from First Financial's website by following this link, FAA CCSP Application.
This is a fillable PDF form.
In addition to submitting a completed application, you must also submit:
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A signed and dated copy of your most recent federal income tax return
(signed by both you and your spouse, if you filed Married filing Jointly).
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A copy of your (and your spouse or partner, if applicable) 2 most recent
Earnings and Leave Statement (ELS) (paycheck stubs for your spouse or partner, if applicable).
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A copy of the your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action.
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Have your childcare provider(s) complete an OPM 1644 Form.
Please note: Your provider does not need to fill out Section IV, Provider's Financial Institution Information.
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A copy of your childcare provider's current license or proof of compliance
with State and/or local child care regulations.
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A copy of your childcare provider's rate sheet or fee schedule, that the childcare provider gives
to parents to show how much they charge for their childcare services.
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A completed and signed IRS Form W-9 from each of your childcare providers.
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A copy of the birth certificate for each child who will be participating in the FAA CCSP.
Q: When can a new employee apply for FFA CCSP?
A: Immediately, upon starting to work for the FAA, as long as the FAA employee does meet all the eligibility criteria.
Please note: You must be a permanent full-time employee. Part-time, temporary or intermittent employees,
and FAA contractors or not eligible.
Q: Where should I send my application to be processed?
A: The application and all the required supporting documents can be mailed, emailed or faxed to:
First
Financial Associates
FAA CCSP
7079 Hayden Quarry RD
Lithonia, Georgia 30038-2506
Email Address: faaccsp@1stfinancialassociates.com
Telephone Number: (800) 453-8151
Fax Number: (770) 484-9313
Please note that your childcare provider should submit all their required forms and
supporting documents (OPM 1644 Form, IRS Form W-9, Child Care Provider License, etc.) directly
to First Financial Associates. Your childcare provider does not have to give their required
forms and other documents to the parent or FAA employee.
Determining Eligibility for the FAA CCSP
Q: What factors will FFA consider in order to determine
if an employee is eligible to receive an award?
A: FFA will follow the guidelines established by FAA to determine which employees who apply for an award meet all of
the eligibility requirements. The eligibility requirements are:
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You must be an active permanent full-time FAA employee.
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Have a child enrolled in, or will be enrolled in, a licensed or regulated childcare facility,
or with a licensed or regulated home-based childcare provider (licensed and/or regulated by the State
and/or local authorities where the childcare service is provided).
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Your child must have the following relationship to you: a) a biological child who lives with you;
b) an adopted child; c) a stepchild; d) a foster child; e) a child for whom a judicial determination of support has been obtained;
or f) a child who you are the parent or legal guardian of, and to whose support you make regular and substantial contributions.
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Your child must be age 13 or under, or under age 18 if your child is disabled. A disabled child is defined as one who
is unable to care for himself or herself based on a physical or mental incapacity as determined by a physician or licensed
or certified psychologist.
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Have a total family income (TFI) that does not exceed $85,000 per year. TFI is determined by looking at the
adjusted gross income (AGI), for yourself and your spouse or partner, if applicable, as reported on the most recent
federal income tax return (IRS Form1040, IRS Form 1040A, or IRS 1040EZ).
Q: Will I be notified that I am eligible to receive an award?
A:Yes, FFA will email an FAA CCSP Award Letter and an FAA CCSP Award Agreement to all FAA employees
determined to be eligible to receive an award. In addition, FFA will notify all employees who were determined not to
be eligible to receive an award and provide the reason(s) for such determination.
Q :What will be the amount of the award
A: The amount of your award will be a fixed percentage of monthly total childcare costs, based upon
the employee's Total Family Income (TFI). TFI will be determined by the Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) as indicated on the
employee's (and their spouse, if applicable) recently filed IRS Form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ. The award will be a percentage
of all eligible childcare costs, as shown on the table below:
| TOTAL FAMILY INCOME |
% OF TOTAL CHILD CARE COST PAID BY FAA |
$60,000 or Less |
70% |
$60,001 - $75,000 |
45% |
$75,001 - $85,000 |
30% |
Over $85,000 |
0% |
Q: How does the FAA CCSP interact with other childcare subsidies that I receive?
A: Your subsidy from the Child Care Subsidy Program will be reduced if you receive a state, county or
local childcare subsidy from any other source(s). Also, you are responsible for determining whether acceptance of
FAA subsidy will affect your eligibility for a childcare subsidy from any other source(s).
Q: How are the monthly childcare subsidy benefit amounts calculated?
A: We will provide a few examples of how the monthly childcare subsidy benefit amount is calculated:
Example 1: Tiffany is a single mother and has one child (Billy) who is under the age of 13. Her filing
status on her most recent federal income tax return is Head of Household. Her Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) or
Total Family Income (TFI) on her most recently filed federal income tax return is $78,564. Tiffany's total monthly childcare
cost for Billy last month was $1,080. Based upon Tiffany's AGI of $78,564, her monthly childcare subsidy percent that will be
paid by the FAA CCSP is 30%. Therefore, the amount of Tiffany's monthly childcare subsidy benefit for last month will be: $1,080 X 30%,
or $324. As a result, Tiffany will pay her childcare provider $756 for last month, and the FAA CCSP will pay $324.
Example 2: Michael is a married father of 2 children (Sally and Peter) who are under the age of 13. His filing status on
his most recent federal income tax return is Married filing Jointly. His Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) or Total Family Income (TFI) (combined
with his wife's income) on his most recently filed federal income tax return is $72,476. The total monthly childcare cost for Michael's 2
children last month was $1,740. Based upon Michael's AGI of $72,476, his monthly childcare subsidy percent that will be paid by the FAA CCSP
is 45%. Therefore, the amount of Michael's monthly childcare subsidy benefit for last month will be: $1,740 X 45%, or $783. As a result,
Michael will pay his childcare provider $957 for last month, and the FAA CCSP will pay $783.
Example 3: Samantha is a married mother of 2 children (Tony and Maria) who are under the age of 13. Her filing status on her
most recent federal income tax return is Married filing Jointly. Her Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) or Total Family Income (TFI) (combined with her
husband's income) on their most recently filed federal income tax return is $59,378. The total monthly childcare cost for Samantha's 2 children
last month was $1,680. Samantha also receives a childcare subsidy from her state in the amount of $125 per month. Based upon Samantha's AGI of $59,378,
her monthly childcare subsidy percent that will be paid by the FAA CCSP is 70%. Therefore, the amount of Samantha's monthly childcare subsidy benefit
for last month will be: $1,680 - $125 (the other childcare subsidy amount) = $1,555. Then, we would take the remaining balance of the monthly childcare
cost of $1,555 and multiply it by the childcare subsidy percent (70%) = $1,088.50. As a result, Samantha will pay her childcare provider $466.50 for
last month, and the FAA CCSP will pay $1,088.50.
Q: What childcare providers are eligible?
A: The provider can be a Center-Based or Family Home-Based childcare provider. The childcare provider must be
licensed and/or regulated in the state or location in where the childcare services are provided. The childcare provider is required
to submit proof of being licensed and/or regulated. If you don't currently have licensed childcare provider, information about identifying
childcare services is included in the US Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families website at:
http://www.childcare.gov.
Requirements After Receiving an Award
Q: Once I receive an award letter, what should I do next?
A:You must fully complete, sign, and date the FAA CCSP Award Agreement included with your FAA Award Letter. You may then
fax or email a copy of the signed FAA CCSP Award Agreement to FFA. The fax number for FFA is: (770) 484-9313, and the email address is:
faaccsp@1stfinancialassociates.com
Also, you must mail the original signed FAA CCSP Award Agreement back to FFA. The mailing address for FFA is:
First Financial Associates
FAA CCSP
7079 Hayden Quarry RD
Lithonia, GA 30038-2506
Q: How do I notify FFA of the amount incurred for childcare charges for each month?
A: You must send FFA a FAA CCSP Monthly Invoice Form which will show the total charges incurred for child care services rendered each month.
The childcare charges should be stated as weekly totals, and the weekly totals should be added to get the total childcare expense for each month. Each week ends
on a Friday. Most months will have 4 weeks. You can determine how many weeks are in a month by counting the number of Fridays in the month. If the Friday of a
week has a date in the next month, then that entire week should not go on the current month's invoice, it should go on the next month's invoice. You and
your childcare provider must sign and date the FAA CCSP invoice for each month. If you have more than one (1) childcare provider, you must submit a separate
FAA CCSP Monthly Invoice form for each childcare provider.
Q. How can I get a copy of the FAA CCSP Monthly Invoice and who will send it to my provider?
A: You may obtain it on our website by following this link: FAA CCSP Monthly Invoice Form.
The FAA CCSP Monthly Invoice Form is a PDF fillable form. You may complete it online using your keyboard.
When you input the weekly childcare charges for each week, the form will automatically calculate the monthly invoice total. Once you have completed the monthly
invoice form, you and your childcare provider may sign it with a digital signature if you have an Adobe digital signature. If you do not have an Adobe digital
signature, then you can print the completed invoice, sign it and have your childcare provider sign it.
Q. How are childcare subsidy benefits paid?
A: Each month, either you or your childcare provider will forward the FAA CCSP Monthly Invoice Form to First Financial. Both you and your
licensed childcare provider must sign the invoice form to certify on the form that the childcare services were provided for your child and you must certify
that you continue to be a permanent full-time employee with FAA. Once First Financial receives and processes your monthly invoice, payments will be made directly
to your childcare provider. Payments are not made to the FAA employee. You are responsible for paying your childcare provider the difference between your total
monthly childcare charges and your monthly childcare subsidy benefit each month.
Q. If I change childcare providers when do I notify FFA, and what documents should be submitted?
A: You must notify First Financial immediately. We must have a completed OPM 1644 Form for your new childcare provider,
and a copy of the new provider's current license or proof of compliance with state and/or local childcare regulations. In addition, the new child care provider
must submit the following other documents to First Financial before any FAA CCSP payments can be made to the new child care provider: IRS Form W-9, and a copy
of the new child care provider's rate sheet that shows how much they charge for child care services. FFA will not be able to process your FAA CCSP monthly
invoice without these items.
Q. Are there any federal income tax implications or consequences for receiving a FAA CCSP benefit award?
A: The tax laws regarding childcare credits and subsidies are complicated. You should be aware that there could be tax consequences to receiving
childcare subsidy assistance greater than $2,500 per year (if married, filing separately) or $5,000 per year (if filing as a married couple, single, or
head of household). Also, the assistance that you receive for a child who does not meet the Internal Revenue Service's definition of a dependent could be treated
as taxable income. We encourage each FAA employee to consult your personal tax advisor if you have questions or concerns.
Q. Once I have been determined eligible to receive an award, do I have to submit a new application each year?
A: No. However, you will need to re-certify your continued eligibility and we will need to determine your current subsidy percent annually no
later than April 30th of each year. In order for us to determine your continued eligibility to receive an FAA CCSP award, and the correct subsidy percent,
each year you must complete the recertification process and submit copies of the following documents to FFA: OPM 1643 Form, OPM 1644 Form, your most recent
signed and dated federal income tax return, two most recent pay statements (for you and your spouse, if applicable), your most recent SF-50, and a current copy
of your child care provider's license (if the previous license has expired), a current copy of your child care provider's current rate sheet, and if you are
adding a new child to the FAA CCSP, we will need a copy of the birth certificate for each new child added.
Q. What if I have additional questions?
A: For general questions, please contact the FAA National Child Care Subsidy Manager, Martina Shipman via telephone or email at:
(202) 267-7995 or martina.shipman@faa.gov. For questions about your specific
FAA CCSP application or about your monthly payment of childcare benefits to your childcare provider, contact:
First Financial Associates
FAA CCSP
7079 Hayden Quarry RD
Lithonia, GA 30038-2506
PH: (800) 453-8151
Fax: (770) 484-9313
Email: faaccsp@1stfinancialassociates.com
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