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The Missouri Department of Social Services is making additional changes to support Child Care Subsidy Program providers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To address income loss due to local restrictions and reduced child attendance, the department will make a special payment to providers in the program. For the month of March, eligible providers will receive a payment no less than the average of their payments for the preceding three months, December through February.
"There are Child Care Subsidy providers who are still open and caring for children of parents who are on the front lines serving the needs of Missourians," Jennifer Tidball, acting department director, said in a news release. "It is our hope this additional payment will prevent a disruption in child care for the sake of children, families and the provider."
Providers in the program should submit all attendance for the month of March by April 10 to expedite the special payment. Providers must continue to pay staff wages while the facility is closed. If a provider's income for month of March equals or exceeds the three-month average, they will not receive an additional payment.
Low-income Missourians interested in the Child Care Subsidy, Food Stamp, Medicaid or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefit programs can visit dss.mo.gov to learn more.
Missourians can apply for services 24/7 online by visiting MyDSS.mo.gov or sending completed applications and verification documents by email to [email protected] or by fax to 573-526-9400. Missourians who have questions or need assistance can call 855-FSD-INFO or 855-373-4636 from 6 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.