U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Secretary and the Administrationfor Community Living (ACL)CCSP supplemental instructions

In 2001, Congress passed legislation that allowed agencies to provide subsidies for child care with appropriated funds.   The OS/ACL has a Child Care Subsidy Program for all civilian employees nationwide. Under the authority of Public law 107-67, this program is available through September 30, 2013. (The program will be extended annually - barring any budget complications.)   As a civilian employee, you are eligible to apply for assistance at any time during the program period if you meet the requirements.     It is highly recommended that you print the following instructions for future reference.   Eligibility Your adjusted gross family income is $50,000 or less (IRS form 1040, Line 37) Your child is age 13 or under (or 18 and under if physically or mentally unable to care for him/herself). Your child is enrolled or has been approved for enrollment in a licensed child care center or under the care of a licensed child care provider. Definition of a Child   As provided in the regulations that implement Public Law 107-67, for the purposes of this program, a child is considered to be:   A biological child who lives with the Federal employee; An adopted child; A stepchild; A foster child; A child for whom a judicial determination of support has been obtained; or A child to whose support the Federal employee who is a parent or legal      guardian makes regular and substantial contributions. Application Process The following information and forms must be submitted when applying for the subsidy program: Application Form - HHS-698 OPM-1644, Child Care Provider Form - Please note: Your provider does not need to fill out section IV Provider’s Financial Institution. SF 50must be submitted Pay statements for the two most recent pay periods for each parent or guardian Most recent signed[1]IRS Tax filing forms for each parent or guardian W-2’s for each parent or guardian Copy of child care provider’s license or letter of compliance with state or local child care agency. Birth Certificate for each child IRS W-9 to Verify Tax ID of child care provider Rate sheet from child care provider   Application forms may be obtained by requesting them from Rebecca.donnelly@psc.hhs.gov until a new webpage has been developed.     Submission of Application               Please send your completed application to:               Rebecca M. Donnelly, PSC Child Care Coordinator by:                     - Fax – 1-240-465-0217                   - email–Rebecca.donnelly@psc.hhs.gov                                              Subsidy Allocations   The OS/ACL/NTEU Labor-Management Council has established the following provisions for determining both eligibility and the amount of the child care subsidy.   The income threshold for participation is a total family income of $50,000 or less. Priority will be given to employees with a total family income of $30,000 or less, with employees earning between $30,001 and $50,000 eligible for funding on a first-come/first-served basis.   The child care subsidy will be granted based on the following table of benefits.   Adjusted Gross Family Income Percentage of Eligible Child Care Cost Over $50,000 0% $49,901 - $50,000 20% $48,001 - $49,900 21% $47,001 - $48,000 22% $46,001 - $47,000 23% $45,001 - $46,000 24% $44,001 - $45,000 25% $43,001 – $44,000 26% $42,001 - $43,000 27% $41,001 - $42,000 28% $40,001 - $41,000 29% $39, 001 - $40,000 30% $38,001 - $39;000 31% $37,001 - $38,000 32% $36,001 - $37,000 33% $35,001 - $36,000 34% $34,001 - $35,000 35% $33,001 - $34,000 36% $32,001 - $33,000 37% $31,001 - $32,000 38% $30,001 - $31,000 39% $30,000 or less 40%   The child care subsidy will be reduced by the amount the participant receives in State, county or local child care subsidies.   Subsidy Approval   All new applications and annual enrollment, re-certifications must be reviewed by the OS/ACLPSC Child Care Coordinator, Rebecca M. Donnelly for processing and subsidy approval.    Instructions for submitting subsidy vouchers Once your application is approved, you will be able to receive the subsidy from the date that you applied.  Please follow this link:  www.1stfinancialassociates.comto obtain specific information for submitting child care vouchers. First Financial Associates.com. (FFA)is the company who processes payments.  They have seven days from the date they receive your invoices to send the checks to your provider.  Please email your invoices to: First Financial Associates, Inc. pscccsp@1stfinancialassociates.com Stacey Royal is the point of contact for First Financial Associates, Inc. You may call Stacey Royal at either: (770) 484-9200 1-800-453-8151 Toll Free Download the invoice for the OPDIV you are employed by. At the end of each month after services have been rendered, your provider will fill out the form. Both you and your provider sign the form and send it to FFA. They will process the invoice and send the check directly to your provider. Payments are made monthly and it’s important to get them to FFA as soon as possible. The amounts claimed need to be in weekly amounts, not monthly amounts. Each month’s child care ends on the last Friday of the month you are claiming. Please make sure you use the correct OPDIVform as it could hold up payments. The voucher needs to be emailed to FFA. Invoices that are not received with 10 business days of the deadline must be approved by the PSC Child Care Coordinator.   Annual Recertification Continued participation in the Employee Child Care Subsidy Program requires an annual recertification by April 30th each year.  The following information must be submitted to the PSC Child Care Coordinator.  It will then be reviewed, approved and forwarded to First Financial Associates, Inc.: SF 50 must be submitted Pay statements for the two most recent pay periods for each parent or guardian Most recent signed[2]IRS Tax filing forms for each parent or guardian W-2’s for each parent or guardian Application Form - HHS-698 OPM Form 1644, Child Care Provider Form - Please note: Your provider does not need to fill out section IV Provider’s Financial Institution. Copy of child care provider’s license or letter of compliance with state or local child care agency. Birth Certificate of each child IRS W-9 to Verify Tax ID of Child Care Provider Rate Sheet from Child Care Provider   Changes in Enrollment   When you sign the HHS 698, you agree to inform the PSC Child Care Coordinator and First Financial Associates, Inc. of any changes in your information listed on the applications.   OPM-1644, Child Provider Form – Please note:  Your provider does not need to fill out section IV Provider’s Financial Institution.   IRS W-9 to Verify Tax ID of Child Care Provider   Rate Sheet from Child Care Provider.   Please contact us if your provider has moved and provide the PSC Child Care Coordinator with a copy of the provider’s new license.   Changing Providers               When you change providers, please submit the following to the PSC Child Care Coordinator: : a new OPM 1644 before you start care copy of the new provider’s license HHS-698 – Application Form IRS W-9 – Verify Tax ID of Child Care Provider Rate Sheet from Child Care Provider   Summer Camp   The subsidy may be used for summer camp as long as the camp falls into the following categories:   a licensed facility a letter of compliance a certificate to operate as a summer camp IRS W-9 to verify Tax ID of Child Care Provider Rate Sheet from Child Care Provider   For enrollment guidance and further information on the OS/ACL Child Care Subsidy Program, please contact:               Rebecca M. Donnelly, PSC Child Care Coordinator             Rebecca.Donnelly@psc.hhs.gov             301-492-4080(office)1-240-465-0217(fax)   [1] Manually signed or proof of an electronic signature if e-filed. [2] Manually signed or proof of an electronic signature if e-filed.