OKDHS - Child Care Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How does OKDHS help me pay for child care?
If eligible, OKDHS will pay all or part of your child care costs directly to a licensed and contracted child care provider while you work, attend school or training. You may be required to pay a portion of child care costs based on your household income.
Do I have to be on welfare to qualify?
No. Child Care benefits help families stay off welfare.
What ages do my children have to be?
Child care may be approved up to the day before the child's 13th birthday. However children with disabilities may qualify up to the day before the child's 19th birthday.
What are the income limits for child care benefits?
Appendix C-4, Child Care Eligibility/Co-payment Chart (Available in Spanish.) gives income eligibility limits. The income eligibility limits vary based on family size, the number of children in care and amount of income. Families may qualify if they earn approximately $2,425/month or less with one child in care, $2,925/month with two children in care, and $3,625 with three or more children in care. Please contact your local county Human Services Center to determine your specific eligibility.
Do I have to pursue child support?
When one or both of the child's parents are absent from the home, you must agree to pursue child support through OKDHS Oklahoma Child Support Services (OCSS) for all children that must be included in the same household. Your worker will help you fill out required forms and send them to OCSS for you.
How do I find my local Human Services Center?
There’s at least one center in each county. View map of the State of Oklahoma to determine the location of the Human Services Center that is most convenient for you.
How do I apply for Child Care benefits?
You can print the Request for Benefits and Services (Available in Spanish.) and answer the questions in writing. Make sure that you sign the form and take, fax or mail it to the Human Services Center located nearest you. Be prepared to be interviewed and to complete the application process the day you bring the form to your local Human Services Center. If you mail in the request form, you will receive a letter scheduling an appointment for an interview to complete the application process.
What do I need to take with me when I apply?
Your worker may need proof of information you provided in the application before your benefits can be approved.
1. Identity verification for the person making the application and names of all household members.
2. Work, training and/or school schedule for yourself and all other adults in your home showing the days and hours you/they work, are in training or go to school. If your/their schedule varies each week, the schedule must reflect this.
3. Proof of all money earned by all adults in your home (before taxes and including tips, bonuses, vacation pay, sick pay and uniform allowance). You must provide at least the last 30 days of earnings if you/they have been working that long. If your earnings vary, it is best if you provide more pay information so the best average can be calculated.
  Proof of earnings includes:
  - Check stubs with name, date, social security number and total pay;
  - Dated statement of total pay amounts and dates paid each month or weeks with employers signature, address and phone number, or
  - If self-employed: last year’s tax return or current books showing income and expenses for the last twelve months.
4. Proof of any other income (such as unemployment, social security, SSI, veteran’s benefits, child support or
  alimony) for all household members. Proof includes:
  - Award letter
  - Check Stub
  - Divorce decree
  - Statement from the agency or person providing the income
5. Name of the child care provider you wish to use. If you choose a child care center, that center must be at one plus, two or three star status unless certain exception criteria is met. Find a provider by using the Child Care Locator.
Can I choose any child care provider?
You can choose a family child care home provider or a child care center that has a license and contract through OKDHS. A child care provider can be found by using the Child Care Locator or by contacting the Child Care Referral and Resource Agency (Link opens in new window). A quality checklist may also help you in choosing a provider.

You can also choose to use an in-home provider. This is when someone you have chosen comes into your home to care for your child. Ask your OKDHS worker about this option if you are interested.

*You cannot choose a child care home provider where you work or one in which you have an ownership interest.
How soon will my child care benefits be approved?
The earliest date that you can be approved is the date that you complete the interview and provide all needed verification. This includes the name of the provider you choose.
How will I know if or when my benefits are approved?
The OKDHS worker must approve or deny your application within 2 working days of receiving all necessary verification. You will receive a Notice of Action letter. This notice will tell you if your benefits were approved or denied. If approved, the letter will tell you what your Family Share Co-payment will be and how much care is approved.
How do I use my child care benefits?
You will be given an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card when you apply for child care benefits. This card is used to track the days and times your child attends the child care facility. You must watch an EBT training video that explains how to use the card before you get the card.
I just started my job and my employer will not give me the verification requested regarding my income and days I will work. What can I do?
For new employment, if it is out of your control to get verification of your income and work schedule, your worker can approve expedited child care benefits for you. Expedited child care is approved for 30 days based upon your statement of the hours you will work. You will be responsible for providing all paychecks received in that 30 day in order for your child care benefits to be extended.