The Oregon Department of Human Services
is committed to protecting the health and well-being of our staff and the
people we serve. It’s central to our mission.
During this uncertain time, we want to
ensure that families continue to have the access they need to child care. The
Department has made the following changes to child care assistance to help
support families and child care providers during the state of emergency related
to the virus that causes COVID-19.
The following temporary changes for
Employment Related Day Care began Monday, March 16, 2020 and continue for the
duration of the Governor’s declared state of emergency period:
- There
is no copay – copays have been reduced to $0.00
- If
a family has already paid their copay, they can arrange reimbursement
privately with their child care provider.
- The income limit has increased
for initial eligibility and now is the same as the
ongoing and exit limit amount:
- The absent day policy has expanded and child care providers can bill the Department for
up to one full month for children scheduled to be in care but are unable to attend
due to the COVID-19 crisis. This also applies to families receiving child
care assistance through the TANF JOBS program.
- We
have implemented emergency billing for temporarily closed facilities.
- Licensed
providers (RFM, CFM, and CNT provider types) and license-exempt centers
(NQC and QEC provider types) can bill the Department in the event of a
temporary shutdown. Providers must remain in an approved listing status
to receive payment. This also applies to families receiving child care
assistance through the TANF JOBS program.
Don’t hesitate to reach out with
concerns or questions. Please contact the Direct Pay Unit with questions Monday
to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1-800-699-9074.