FAQ

We will post both questions and answers as we receive them. 

You asked:  What is Child Care Fee Subsidy? 
Answer:  Fee subsidy or subsidized child care can help you with the cost of care for your children between the ages of 0-12.  Those who can apply are the child's parent, foster parent or legal guardian who are residents in the District of Thunder Bay and engaged in an approved activity. If a family chooses to start in a child care program before fee subsidy is approved, the full cost of care is the responsibility of the parent/guardian for services used prior to the application date for subsidy.  Please view the following web page for information on fee subsidy in French:  http://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/French/topics/childcare/paying/index.aspx

You asked:  What is an approved activity? 
Answer:  To receive fee subsidy you must be working, going to school or in receipt of Ontario Works.  If you are not engaged in these activities but you need child care because your child has a special need, a referral is required.  If you have a child with a special need and require assistance in searching for the most appropriate options for child care, please contact Children's Services at (807) 766-2107.    For social referrals, a referring agency needs to complete the Social Referral Application Form which can be found on this website under Children's Services / Forms / Other / Social Referral Fee Subsidy Application Form.  Subsidy may also be available for a parent who, for medical or other health reasons, requires short-term respite child care.

You asked:  How do I know if I qualify for fee subsidy? 
Answer:  Eligibility is based on your annual income tax return.  The adjusted income from line 236 of your most recent Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment (or Reassessment), or family income from the Canada Child Tax Benefit Notice will be used to determine if you qualify for subsidy.  See our Eligibility Criteria section. 

You asked:  What Child Care Centre or home provider can I use? 
Answer:  The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board (TBDSSAB) Children's Services Division holds contracts with licensed providers that are listed on our web site under Program Locations.  The TBDSSAB also holds a contract with the City of Thunder Bay Licensed Private Home Child Care Program.   Information about home locations can be obtained by calling the City's Private Home Child Care Worker directly at 623-1767.

You asked:  What do I need to bring to my interview? 
Answer: 
Income information:  Most recent Notice of Assessment (NOA) or Reassessment and Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) form if applicable OR Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) showing family income.  If you have misplaced your NOA and require a copy, contact the Canada Revenue Agency at 1-800-959-8281.  If you have not yet filed your income tax you need to ensure that you do so prior to applying for subsidy.
Personal information:
Any custody agreement in effect.
If applicable, documents to verify a person's legal name / status (i.e. a Permanent Resident Card, Temporary Resident Card, Up-to-date Refugee Claimant Documents, Canadian Citizenship Card, Passport or Birth Certificate)
Address:
Bring two of the following with your current address: a recent property tax, hydro, gas, water or telephone bill, driver's license.  
Activity:
Student / Training:  Documents to confirm your registration / enrollment and class schedule. Please ensure the course / program start and end dates are included. 
Employed:  Two most recent consecutive pay stubs or a letter from your employer (on company letterhead / stamp) that shows your place of employment, your hours and days of work. 
Self-employed:  Business Registration, License, Vendor Permit or a statement of business income and expenses. 
Special needs:  When a family is not engaged in an approved activity, a referral from a medical doctor, agency or other professional about your child's need for child care is required. 

You asked:  What is the parental contribution? 
Answer:  The income test will determine how much available income your family has for child care on a monthly basis.  This is considered your parental contribution.  This amount is converted to a daily amount based on your child's or children's enrollment. You are responsible to pay this fee directly to the child care program or agency with whom care has been arranged. 

You asked:  How do absent days work for subsidized spaces?
Answer:  Absent days are pro-rated based on enrollment schedule and start date. The maximum absent days assigned annually is 30, based on full time care, 5 days/week. The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board (TBDSSAB) will pay the child care program the subsidized portion of the daily rate for the number of assigned absent days per year for each child as a result of illness and/or vacation. It is the parent's responsibility to pay their parental contribution to the child care centre for these assigned days. For any additional absences over the assigned allotment, parents are responsible to pay the centre's Full Pay daily rate.  Some agencies treat vacation separate from illness absences and may therefore not charge out a vacation when sufficient notice is provided.  You will need to confirm with your child care agency their individual policy.

You asked:  What if I don't qualify for fee subsidy? 
Answer:  If you do not qualify for fee subsidy, you are considered a full pay parent.  Please directly contact the child care centre of your choice to discuss application to their program.  If you have a child with a special need and require assistance in searching for the most appropriate options for child care, please contact Communities Together For Children at (807) 624-5692.

You asked:  How do I apply for fee subsidy? 
Answer:  After a centre has offered you a space for your child, indicate to that provider that you are interested in applying for fee subsidy.  They will forward information to Children's Services and you will be called to set up an eligibility interview.  If you choose to start in a child care program before fee subsidy is approved, the full cost of care is the responsibility of the parent/guardian for services used prior to the application date for subsidy.

For District offices, use the following contacts:
Greenstone         (807) 854-2511 
Schreiber            (807) 824-1369     Toll Free 1-888-393-8953
Manitouwadge    (807) 826-4809     Toll Free 1-888-393-6947

You asked:  How do I make sure my fee subsidy continues? 
Answer:  File your income tax annually and attend an in-person eligibility review at least once a year.  In a two parent household, both parents are encouraged to attend.  You will be contacted to make an appointment for your next review.  Be sure to bring all required documents (refer to What do I need to bring to my interview?).  If you do not have the necessary documents with you, we will not be able to determine your eligibility and you will have to return when you have the required documents. You are required to contact your child care worker when there are changes in your marital status, address, family size, employment, schooling or Ontario Works activity.  In some cases, you will need an in-person eligibility review.  Failure to report changes may result in suspension of your child care fee subsidy, recovery of fees paid on your behalf, and/or legal action.