How to Get Help Paying for Child Care

New Hampshire’s Child Care Scholarship helps eligible families pay for child care, with payments made directly to the child care provider. It is for children under 13, or under 18 with a disability, whose parents are working, looking for work or in a training program. Apply to the Department of Health and Human Services online at NH Easy, or in person or by mail on paper. The Department decides within 30 days, and you apply again every year.

1. Check whether it fits your family

   The scholarship pays part of the cost of child care, directly to the provider, for eligible families. To be eligible:

   • your child is under 13 years old, or under 18 years old with a disability;
   • the parents are working, looking for work, or in a training program; and
   • your household’s income is within the Department’s current limits, which it publishes each year, effective July 1.

   The scholarship, for families

2. Apply online or on paper

   Online: apply at NH Easy, the Department’s site for all its services, child care among them.

   On paper: apply in person or by mail at a District Office, which can give you the application.

   To schedule a follow-up appointment, call 1-844-ASK-DHHS (1-844-275-3447). Everyone has the right to apply, and to a decision within 30 days.

   NH EasyFind your District Office

3. Choose a child care provider

   You choose who cares for your child. Federal rules let you choose among child care centers, family child care homes and, within the state’s limits, care in your own home. Relatives and religious providers are among the choices.

   The scholarship is paid to the provider, so the provider must be enrolled with the Department to accept it. Ask a provider you are considering whether it is. The Department’s free Child Care Search, linked from the same page as the scholarship, shows providers’ quality ratings, licensing history and services, and Child Care Aware of New Hampshire helps families find care for free: call 1-855-393-1731, extension 2531, weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

   Providers and the scholarship

4. Keeping the scholarship

   Your eligibility is checked again every 12 months, and you reapply each year.

   In between, federal rules keep the scholarship going at least at the same level even if your income goes up, as long as it stays under the federal limit, and through temporary changes such as time off work for an illness or to care for a family member, a break between seasonal jobs, a school break, fewer hours, or your child turning 13. Your share of the cost cannot be raised in that time except as the rules allow. If you lose your job or leave your program, it continues for at least three months so you can look for work or go back.

5. If your family is homeless, or you disagree with a decision

   Families experiencing homelessness can be approved for child care within 7 days of applying, once the child is linked to a provider enrolled with the Department. The final decision still comes within 30 days. Say so when you apply.

   If you disagree with a decision, you can ask for an administrative appeal hearing, in writing, on the Department’s appeal request form or in a letter. Your Notice of Decision gives your deadline. You do not need a lawyer.

   Administrative appeals

For questions about the scholarship and your application, call the Department at 1-844-ASK-DHHS (1-844-275-3447), or ask your local District Office in person. For help finding child care, call Child Care Aware of New Hampshire at 1-855-393-1731, extension 2531.

• NH Easy, the Department of Health and Human Services’ benefits site: apply for cash, medical, SNAP (food) and child care assistance, Medicare beneficiary and long-term care assistance, or check first whether you might qualify. To speak to someone, call 1-844-ASK-DHHS (1-844-275-3447).
• Free civil legal aid. New Hampshire Legal Assistance helps people with low income and limited assets, and adults 60 and over, mainly with housing (eviction, foreclosure and property tax deeding), domestic violence and family law, and public benefits. Apply through 603 Legal Aid, online or at 1-800-639-5290; it also publishes self-help articles.

NH Easy 603 Legal Aid

• How to apply for food or health assistance
• How to file for unemployment

• Child Development and Head Start (Department of Health and Human Services)dhhs.nh.gov
• Child Care Scholarship Provider Enrollment and Web Billing (Department of Health and Human Services)dhhs.nh.gov
• Accessing the NH Child Care Scholarship, Family Assistance Manual 901 (Department of Health and Human Services)dhhs.nh.gov
• Administrative Appeals (Department of Health and Human Services)dhhs.nh.gov
• Eligibility determination, 45 CFR 98.21 (federal)ecfr.gov
• Parental choice, 45 CFR 98.30 (federal)ecfr.gov