QUINCY (WGEM) -- The coronavirus pandemic has put a strain on a lot of people’s budgets, including families in need of daycare. But now more help is available thanks to a recent change in state guidelines.
The Illinois Department of Human Services released new income guidelines this month to help more families qualify for its child care assistance program.
If you're a single mother, you now qualify if your maximum monthly income before taxes is $2,874.
A family of four qualifies at $4,367 or less.
West Central Child Care Connection in Quincy covers nine Illinois counties. Officials say there was a need in the area even before the pandemic began.
"We always say, we are here to help," Marla Willard, Executive Director of West Central Childcare Connection said. "We want to help families gain eligibility, we want providers to get paid, and we want providers to have the resources that they need to provide the kind of child care that every child deserves."
The childcare assistance program coordinator said this is great news for families that just barely missed the cut or are looking to improve their income.
"If they change jobs and get an increase in salary, that could have a negative impact on their childcare, and this cushions that," Holly Prisner said. "Also, if they stay within 85 percent of the state median income and if they are over the federal poverty level income, they get a 90-day grace period."
Parents may visit the to determine their eligibility status
