The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) 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 childcare. The Department has made the following changes to childcare assistance to help support families and childcare 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 or until further notice:
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Copays have been reduced to $0.00 through families’ current certification periods for families applying or recertifying through June 30, 2021 or until further notice
- If a family applies or re-applies for ERDC benefits for July 2021 or later, they will have a copay amount based on their gross income and household size.
-
The income limit has increased for initial eligibility and now is the same as the ongoing and exit income limit:
EDRC Ongoing and Exit Income Limits
|
|---|
| Number in ERDC group |
Gross income limit
|
2
| $4,293.00
|
3
| $5,303.00
|
4
| $6,313.00
|
5
| $7,323.00 |
6
| $8,333.00 |
7
| $8,522.00 |
8 or above
| $9,305.00
|
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Families may now apply or re-apply over the phone. If families are unable to apply online or with a paper application and they have an application on file within the last 18 months, ODHS staff can conduct an intake via phone with a verbal signature obtained on the call.
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The absent day policy has been expanded and childcare providers can bill the Department for up to a full month for children scheduled to be in care but are unable to attend due to COVID-19. This also applies to families receiving childcare assistance through the TANF JOBS program.
Providers may bill if they receive a billing form for an eligible child – ODHS is unable to pay for childcare costs for ineligible families.
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We have implemented emergency billing for temporarily closed facilities.
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Childcare providers can bill the Department in the event of a temporary shutdown due to COVID-19. Providers must remain in an approved listing status to receive payment and must remain connected to an eligible family’s case. This also applies to families receiving child care assistance through the TANF JOBS program. Providers may bill if they receive a billing form for an eligible child – ODHS is unable to pay for childcare costs for ineligible families.
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There have been several changes to the provider listing process. Fingerprints are not currently required for new providers. Additionally, the required First Aid and CPR class is not required for up to 90 days after a provider is approved and can be completed through approved online trainings.
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ODHS issued a one-time supplemental payment to license exempt family providers who have been providing care during the pandemic. The money is being made available from federal Coronavirus Relief Funds. Letters were mailed to qualifying providers in late November.
More information and resources are available for providers on the Early Learning Division website.
Stay up to date with the latest COVID-19 information on the Oregon Health Authority’s Coronavirus website.
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 800-699-9074. They can also be reached by e-mail below.
For billing forms and listing forms: dpu.billing@dhsoha.state.or.us
For general questions: customerservice.dpu@dhsoha.state.or.us