Massachusetts Board of Early Education and Care vote expands eligibility for child care financial assistance; here are the details — Fall River Reporter
By Ken Paiva
The Board of Early Education and Care voted unanimously today to improve access to Child Care Financial Assistance. These regulation changes codify the state’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget changes to the program and achieve a key priority of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s Gateway to Pre-K agenda – raising income eligibility for child care financial assistance from 50% of state median income to 85% of state median income…
Today’s approved Child Care Financial Assistance regulations include several key improvements:
Expanded eligibility: Families with household incomes at or below 85% of the state median income will now be eligible to receive child care financial assistance, significantly broadening access for working families.
Priority access for early childhood educators: The regulations formally codify priority access to financial assistance for staff working in early education and care programs, recognizing the critical role educators play in not only the Commonwealth’s child care system but the broader economy.
Protection of benefits: Child Care Financial Assistance will not be counted as income in determining eligibility for other state governmental assistance programs, helping ensure families are not unintentionally disqualified from essential support services.