When Can a Tier II Provider Become a Tier I Provider?

Here's a way that some family child care providers can make a little more money each month without raising their rates or charging additional fees.

This may apply to you if you are currently on the Food Program and receiving the lower Tier II reimbursement rate and now caring for fewer children because of COVID-19.

Because you are caring for fewer children, it's possible that now you qualify to receive the higher Tier I reimbursement rate. To qualify for Tier I, you either need to live in a low income area, serve low income children, or qualify your family as low income.

You can qualify your family as low income for any month that you meet the federal poverty guidelines. To help you determine if you do qualify for the current month, see my Family Child Care Net Income Worksheet.

Ask your Food Program sponsor to give you a form to fill out to see if you now qualify for the higher Tier I reimbursement rate. If so, this will mean you receive a little more in reimbursement each month until your income increases and you are no longer eligible.

You may only qualify for the Tier I rate for a few months, but any additional money helps.

Tom Copeland - www.tomcopelandblog.com

Image credit: https://winnie.com/place/new-creations-child-care-learning-center-saint-paul