Spokane, Washington 2011 Christmas Help For Low Income

The Christmas Bureau has been a part of Spokane's Christmas tradition since 1945. Each year from the day after Thanksgiving through December 31st, the Spokesman-Review solicits donations from businesses and individuals for the Christmas Bureau Fund. Donors make their contributions directly to the Spokesman-Review. Those funds purchase toys for children and provide food vouchers and books for needy families who come to the Christmas Bureau, which runs for ten days each December at the Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds Agricultural Building (404 N. Havana).

Christmas Bureau recipients are self-selected. All are welcome, and there are no income specifications. Each address is served one time. All adults served must bring photo ID and proof of address (current utility bill, phone bill, or rent receipts are best). Proof of dependents (all children 17 and under) is required. A letter from their school, or a letter from a non profit agency confirming the number and ages of dependents work best. Documentation is needed to show that the children live with the adult(s) wishing to obtain vouchers and toys for the children.

Catholic Charities Spokane and Volunteers of America manage and operate the Christmas Bureau. Together, more than 300 community volunteers are scheduled, receive a background check, are trained, and welcome families to help make the Bureau run smoothly.

If you would like to volunteer at the 2011 Christmas Bureau
please call Brigid Krause at 358-4270 or email her at bkrause@ccspokane.org

Unemployment Blues

This is for all of us who are unemployed.....................

Colorado Child Care Assistance

How To Apply For Low-Income Child Care Assistance

Contact the County Department of Social/Human Services of the county you live in to apply for child care assistance. You must fill out an application for child care services and provide information about your family including immunization information, income and your work or school program.

Submitting Employment Information

When you first apply for low-income child care assistance your child care worker may contact your employer by phone to verify hours and wages. You then have 30 days to supply written verification of your employment or education program. This is important! Benefits may be withheld if verification is not submitted. Let your worker know immediately if you cannot get the verification information.

Choosing A Child Care Provider

You must pick a child care provider for your children.  You can select a licensed child care center, a family care home, a friend, neighbor, or relative.  You will have to decide the type of care that will be best for your children and meets your family’s needs.  When choosing a provider look for signs that your child will be safe, developmentally stimulated, and encouraged to grow and learn.   Visit the Qualistar Colorado website for more information on quality child care or refer to the Parent Handbook you received from the county. You can check into any licensing history for licensed or registered providers.

Once you have chosen a provider you need to contact the county immediately so they can authorize care before you take your child to that provider. They will need the name, address and phone number of the provider along with whether they are licensed or not. You may be responsible to the provider for payment if you do not do this.

Notifying The County of Changes

In the Low-Income child care program, you must notify your child care worker of any change in your employment or income within 30 days of the change.  For your protection please provide that information in writing and you can use the county's Change of Eligibility Form (SS-7A). If any of the changes mentioned below happen, sit down and write what has changed immediately and get it to your child care worker so you do not forget. This will avoid bigger problems later. These are some of the changes that may happen:  

• Your work hours change
• Changes in the number of people in your household
• Your rate of pay or wages
• Your address
• Your child support income or payment
• Your child care provider
• Your employment status
• Your education status

Any change in your income must be verified by a letter from your employer or by your pay stubs within 30 days of the change.  Make sure you get this information to your child care worker as soon as possible.  Changes may affect your eligibility.  If you change work hours or have to work overtime, you must notify your worker or these hours may not be covered for child care.

Completing Your Low-Income Redetermination

Every six (6) months in the Low-Income program, you will be sent a redetermination of eligibility form. This information is required for the county to determine if you still meet the eligibility requirements of the program.  You must turn in the signed form along with copies of the most recent three (3) months of income or education verification in the time specified or your child care will end.

Paying Your Parental Fees

You are required to pay a portion of your child care costs. This is called the parental fee schedule.   The amount paid is based on your gross income and the number of people in your household. The fee should be paid directly to your provider at the beginning of each month and it is the first money the provider will receive for providing care for your children. If you fail to pay the parental fee, child care benefits may end and you could be unable to receive benefits in the future. Your parental fees must be paid even if you change child care providers.  

The parental fee covers the hours agreed upon and is shown on your child care certificate.  Providers cannot charge you in excess of the county’s rate for your authorized child care even though their rates for private clients may be higher than the county’s rate.  However, providers can charge you for any hours used beyond those authorized on the certificate or late fees if you pick up your child after hours.

Moving From One County To Another

If you move from one county to another, there is no guarantee that your low-income child care benefits will transfer. Each county may have different eligibility criteria for Low-Income child care. Before you move, you must inform your child care worker and they can contact the county you are moving into and find out if your services can be transferred to the new county.

How To Receive Colorado Works Child Care Assistance

You will need to work with your TANF technician to receive this assistance.

How To Receive Child Welfare Child Care Assistance

You will need to work with your Child Welfare worker to receive this assistance.

Montana Listing Of Public Assistance Programs

The state Department of Public Health and Human Services administers a number of programs aimed at helping low-income Montanans move out of poverty and become self-sufficient. These include:

• Child Care Assistance
• Healthy Montana Kids (HMK)
• Energy Assistance
• SNAP
• Medicaid
• Special Supplemental Nutrition for Women, Infants & Children (WIC)
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Child Care Assistance

The department offers "Best Beginnings" child-care scholarships to qualified low-income families who send children to licensed child-care centers, registered group or family child-care homes, or legally unregistered child-care providers. Each family participates in the cost of that care by making a co-payment based on family income.

Scholarships are available to low-income working families and families who get cash assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
More on child care assistance

Healthy Montana Kids (HMK)

HMK is a low-cost health coverage plan for eligible Montana children up to age 19.
To be eligible, a child must:

• Be a Montana resident and U.S. citizen or qualified alien;
• Have been without health insurance coverage for at least three months; and
• Meet income guidelines

Applications for HMK are available at local health departments, WIC offices, Head Start facilities, and Indian Health Services. You can call 1-877-KIDSNOW (1-877-543-7669) to request an application.
More about HMK

Energy Assistance

The department offers two programs aimed at helping low-income individuals reduce their heating costs.

The Weatherization Program helps participants to improve the heating efficiency of their homes and thus reduce their energy consumption. The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) pays part of winter energy bills for eligible people. Most utilities offer discounts to LIEAP recipients.
Eligibility for weatherization and fuel assistance is based on income and assets. Homeowners and renters may apply for these programs.

If your household receives benefits from Supplemental Security Income or the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program, you may qualify automatically for weatherization or fuel assistance.
You can apply for energy assistance at your local Human Resources Development Council.

Applications for weatherization assistance are accepted year-round. Applications for fuel assistance must be submitted October 1-April 30 .
More about energy assistance

Medicaid

Montana Medicaid is a joint federal-state program that pays for a broad range of medically necessary health care and long-term care for eligible low-income Montanans.

Medicaid is governed under broad national guidelines, but each state can establish its own eligibility standards, decide what services to cover and for how long, and set the rate of payment for services. In Montana, the Medicaid program is administered by the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS).

To be eligible for Montana Medicaid, you must meet financial requirements that take into account your income, assets, and resources. You must be a Montana resident and a U.S. citizen (or qualified non-citizen), and you must fall into one of the following groups:

• Parents or other related adults with dependent children under age 19
• Children
• Pregnant women
• Women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer or pre-cancer
• People aged 65 or older
• People who are blind or disabled (using Social Security criteria)

Medicaid recipients receive either full or basic Medicaid coverage based on which eligibility group they fall into. Those who are eligible for full coverage are able to get coverage for all services that Medicaid covers, assuming they are medically necessary. Full Medicaid is provided to recipients who are:

• Under age 21
• Blind or disabled
• Age 65 or older
• Pregnant

Everyone else receives basic Medicaid coverage. Basic Medicaid covers all Montana Medicaid services except for dental care, audiology services, eyeglasses and vision exams, durable medical equipment, and personal care services in the individual’s home. Services excluded under basic Medicaid may be covered if necessary for employment or in emergency situations.
To find out if you qualify for Medicaid, call or visit your local Office of Public Assistance.
Download Application for Public Assistance (Word Version)
Download Application for Public Assistance (PDF Version)
Download Application for Public Assistance (Spanish version) (Word Version)
Download Application for Public Assistance (Spanish version) (PDF Version)
More about Medicaid

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

The program mission is to provide supplemental food assistance to low income people and improve the nutrition, health, and wellbeing of SNAP recipients.  The program plays a vital role in Montana’s safety net for low income people.  The program is an economic stimulus – every $5 in new SNAP benefits generates nearly twice as much ($9.20) in total community spending.  Benefits are distributed electronically using an “Electronic Benefit Transfer” (EBT) card which functions like a debit card. 

Among other requirements, applicants must meet income criteria, be United States Citizens or legal aliens intending to live in Montana, and must furnish a Social Security number.  The program was previously known as the Food Stamp Program.

You can apply for SNAP at your local Office of Public Assistance.
Download Application for Public Assistance (Word Version)
Download Application for Public Assistance (PDF Version)
Download Application for Public Assistance (Spanish version) (Word Version)
Download Application for Public Assistance (Spanish version) (PDF Version)
Download Application for SNAP
More about SNAP

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

TANF provides temporary financial assistance to needy families. A household may receive TANF benefits for no more than 60 months.

Those who may be eligible for TANF benefits are:

• Minor children;
• Certain relatives with whom minor children are living, including siblings;
• Women in their last trimester of pregnancy who have no other eligible children; and
• Refugees with minor dependent children.

Among other requirements, applicants must meet income and asset criteria, be citizens or legal aliens intending to live in Montana, and furnish a Social Security number.

You can apply for TANF at your local Office of Public Assistance.
Download Application for Public Assistance (Word Version)
Download Application for Public Assistance (PDF Version)
Download Application for Public Assistance (Spanish version) (Word Version)
Download Application for Public Assistance (Spanish version) (PDF Version)
More about TANF

WIC

The goal of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is to give children the best possible start in life by ensuring that they get proper nutrition both in utero and during their preschool years. The program provides nutritious foods, such as iron-fortified cereal, milk, eggs, peanut butter, and dried beans, as well as formula for mothers who choose not to breastfeed. It also provides nutrition education to improve eating behavior.

To qualify for WIC, you must be either 1) a woman who is pregnant, breastfeeding, or recently had a baby, or 2) a child up to age 5. In all cases, applicants must meet income guidelines, and a health professional must consider their health to be at risk.

More about WIC