Childcare Assistance

The AmeriCorps Child Care Benefit Program is available for qualified, active, full-time AmeriCorps VISTA, NCCC, and State and National Members who need the benefit to serve; eligibility requirements are listed below for each AmeriCorps program. Child care benefits are paid directly to qualified child care providers for all or of part of the member's child care costs 
​To qualify for the child care benefit, the member must meet the following eligibility requirements:
  • The State and National member's household income must not exceed 75% of the state's median income for a family of the same size; this limit is different for each state and may change annually. The total household income is used to determine your income eligibility excluding your AmeriCorps State & National living allowance.
  • The member must not currently receive a child care subsidy from another source at the time of acceptance into the program (including a parent or guardian) which would continue to be provided while the member serves in the program.
  • The member must be the parent or legal guardian of a child under the age 13.
  • The child must reside with the member.
  • The member must certify that he or she needs child care in order to participate in the AmeriCorps State and National program.

Child Care Provider Eligibility Requirements
Child care benefits are paid to qualified child care providers for all or of part of the member's child care costs during their active time of service with AmeriCorps. Child care subsidy benefits are paid directly to qualified child care providers. 
Child Care Providers:
  • Must be at least 18 years of age;
  • may not live in the same household as the member; and
  • may not be the child's biological, step, or adoptive parent, or the child's legal guardian, adult acting in loco parentis, or the spouse of a legal guardian or adult or adult acting in loco parentis.

To Apply: 

Member Forms and Supporting Documentation Required:
MEMBER CHECKLIST
Member will supply all documents and forms per the Member and Provider Checklists to ensure a complete application packet.
  • Application - a completed and signed AmeriCorps Member Child Care Benefits Application.
  • AmeriCorps Enrollment Letter.
  • A copy of a birth certificate for each child under 13 who needs child care services.
  • Legal Custody Documentation - if the member is not the biological parent of the child who needs child care services, the member must submit proof to show parental or guardian status, including: legal guardianship, adoptive parent, foster parent or step parent.
  • Income and Tax Documentation - official documentation to verify total salaries and wages for all adult members of the household, including 4 weeks of the most recent paycheck stubs, and a copy of the most recent federal income tax return.
  • Other Income - members must provide proof of all other household income for all household members, including: child support, SSI or other disability income, retirement income, social security benefits, unemployment benefits, alimony, veteran benefits, workers compensation benefits, AFDC and TANF. Additional documentation may be required for any other source of household income in accordance with the CCDF Block Grant program guidelines for the state or territory where the child care services are provided.
  • Please see the 'Member Checklist' for detailed instructions.
Child Care Provider Forms and Supporting Documentation Required:
PROVIDER CHECKLIST
Member will supply all documents and forms per the Member and Provider Checklists to ensure a complete application packet.
  • Application - each child care provider must complete and sign an AmeriCorps Child Care Provider Application.
  • Taxpayer and Business Documentation – documentation includes the provider SSN or TIN and completed IRS W-9 form.
  • Certifications - copy of the current child care provider license for each child care provider, or proof that they are licensed, regulated, or in compliance with the state or territory guidelines for an eligible child care provider under the CCDF Block Grant program.
  • Provider Billing Rates.
  • Please see the Provider Checklist for detailed application instructions.