WCCCC Provider Assistance

CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY

The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) provides low-income, working families with access to quality, affordable child care that allows them to continue working and contributes to the healthy, emotional and social development of the child. Families are required to cost-share on a sliding scale based on family size, income, and number of children in care.

Who Can Receive These Services?

In addition to helping low-income, working families, the Child Care Assistance Program also serves:

Families who are receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and participating in education & training in accordance with their responsibility and service plans (RSP);
Teen parents seeking a high school degree or its equivalent; and/or
Families not receiving TANF, who are pursuing additional education to improve their job opportunities.

How To Apply:
To apply the parent and child care provider submits a completed application to West Central Child Care Connection in they live in Adams, Brown, Calhoun, Cass, Greene , Hancock, Jersey, Pike, or Schuyler County.

Child Care Application & Instructions (English) (pdf)

If you have any questions about eligibility or if you need help completing the application, please call us at 1-800-782-7318 or 217-222-2550.

You can find additional information including other forms used for the program by assessing our parent page.

Child Care Assistance Program: Provider's Guide (pdf)

PAYMENT OPTIONS

The Illinois Department of Human Services offers 3 ways to receive payment.A child care provider can chose to receive a paper check in the mail, have direct deposit to an account they hold, or receive the money on a prepaid Mastercard debit card.

TELEPHONE BILLING

The IDHS Child Care Telephone Billing system is an alternative to mailing the Child Care certificate to the local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency at the end of the each month. The Telephone Billing system will help you get your payments quicker.

How it Works:
If you call the IDHS Child Care Telephone Billing system instead of mailing a certificate to your local CCR&R -

The information gets into the system faster
No mail delays in getting information to the CCR&R
The payment information may be entered 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
You get immediate confirmation that your payment has been entered

How to get Started?

All licensed homes and license-exempt home providers of approved cases will be mailed a Child Care Telephone Billing agreement form.
Mail the completed form to your local CCR&R.

Learning the System:

You will be mailed instructions on how to use the system and practice certificates to enter
Call the number listed on the instructions and enter the practice certificate information
After you have completed the practice certificates successfully, you will be able to bill for child care over the phone
After IDHS has confirmed that you have successfully completed the practice certificates, you will be mailed a letter that includes your payment password
Keep this number/letter for your records

Calling the System and entering the information:

To submit your billing information, dial 1 (800) 787-9316.
TTY callers may dial 1 (800) 787-9318 to access the system.
The billing system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
You may enter information either by using the phone key pad or by speaking the information
If you reply using the phone key pad, you must complete the ENTIRE process the same way
If you choose to speak, the system can be accessed in either English or Spanish

For more information on the telephone billing system, view the IDHS website.

RATES

The Illinois Department of Human Services pays a daily rate.

For care provided less than 5 hours per day, a part-time rate is paid.
For care provided from 5 through 12 hours per day, a full day rate is paid.

The rate varies based on your DCFS licensing status and type of program.

Rate sheet effective 7-1-2012.

CHILD CARE PAYMENT INQUIRES

The Illinois Department of Human Services has a toll free number that child care providers can use to check if their child care certificate has been entered for payment and approved by IDHS.

This phone number is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Follow the voice instructions to enter your social security number (SNN) or Federal Identification Number (FEIN) and the service month of your payment.

Please remember, IDHS now approves for payment in the middle of the month therefore it may take 20 or more working days for your payment to be received after you submit an accurate and complete child care certificate.

Call 1-800-804-3833