Financial Assistance in Illinois
Right At School has partnered with local state agencies to offer childcare assistance programs. Where available, you may qualify to receive state assistance through our program. This resource will guide you through each step of the process with your state agency and Right At School.
See If You Qualify
Contact your local subsidy office to check your eligibility for assistance and begin your application.
In Illinois, you’ll need to work with the agency in the county where you reside. If you don’t see your agency listed, use this handy tool to search for your county of residence and find the corresponding agency.
To get started, find your local subsidy office:
Cook County
Illinois Action For Children
312-823-1100
www.actforchildren.org
DuPage County
YWCA
866-525-9922
[email protected]
Grundy County
Child Care Resource and Referral
800-552-5526
www.childcarehelp.com
Kane County
YWCA
866-525-9922
[email protected]
Lake County
YWCA
866-525-9922
[email protected]
Peoria County
SAL Child Care Connection
309-686-3750
http://www.salccc.org
Will County
Child Care Resource and Referral
800-552-5526
www.childcarehelp.com
Woodford County
SAL Child Care Connection
309-686-3750
http://www.salccc.org
If you don’t see your agency listed, use this handy tool to search for your county of residence and find the corresponding agency.
Navigating the Illinois State Application Process
Let’s explore what you’ll need to know about Illinois’s application process. Rest assured, your state agency is here to guide you every step of the way!
Application Options
Illinois agencies handle everything on paper, but don’t stress! You can download the application from the agency website, grab the provider-filled CCAP application, or change provider forms below. Both the family and provider portions need to be filled out, so please make sure to include all the necessary details.
CHildcare Assistance (CCAP) Forms
Existing CCAP Families:
- Cook County: Parents should request a Provider Switch Form from their Case Manager.
- Kane County: Provider Switch Form (blank)
New CCAP Families:
Provider IDs
A Provider ID is a unique number assigned by the state to facilitate subsidy payments.
You will need this Provider ID when completing the required paperwork. Here is a list of school Provider IDs. If you do not see your school listed here, please reach out to Customer Support for further assistance.
Changing Providers
Are you already approved for another location/provider but looking to switch to Right At School? No problem! Use the change of provider form available from the agency or directly on our website. For more details on this process, check out the ‘Change of Provider’ tab below.
We're here to help make this process as smooth as possible for you and your family.
Understanding Your Approval
Exciting news - you've been approved! Let's make sure you know what to do next to get everything set up smoothly.
Submitting Your Approval
Once you receive your approval, snap a clear picture of ALL pages and upload it here.
Note: Without ALL pages, your submission may not be accepted. This helps us speed up the process since agency processing times can vary.
Approval Duration
Typically, approvals are valid for 12 months, unless you are approved for a 3-month activity search. This option is designed to support families while they're in school or on the job hunt.
Redetermination Reminder
Keep an eye on your approval period. When it's coming to an end, your agency will reach out for redetermination. Want to know more about what that entails? Check out the Understanding Redetermination tab on this page for all the details.
Cost Considerations
It's important to note that registration fees are not covered within your approval. That's an out-of-pocket cost for your family. Also, keep in mind that non-school day programs and camp days are not always covered. You can find more details about non-school and camp day approvals and instructions below.
Registration Process
Remember, your approval letter doesn't automatically mean you're registered to attend the Right at School program. Registration with financial assistance is a two-step process. Curious about the next steps? Read more about registration next!
Ready to Go!
You’ll soon be on your way to enjoying all of the benefits of your approval. Let's make this journey smooth sailing for your family! 🎉
Ensuring Your Child's Registration with Right At School Subsidy
Before we get started, it's important to note that your child isn't officially registered for our program until two key steps are completed:
Once these steps are done, you're well on your way to joining the Right At School family! Let's dive into the details...
1. Send Us Your Approval Letter: Got that approval letter handy? Great! Share it with our subsidy team by sending it here. This lets us know you’re ready to get started.
2. Register with Us: If you haven’t already, it’s time to register your child for our program. When you do, make sure to select the “discount” option and choose “subsidy”.
3. Fill in the Details: During registration, you will need to provide specific information from your approval letter, such as the agency name and voucher number. Simply enter these details, click ‘Finish,’ and you’ll be on your way! After completing this step, you will be placed in our subsidy queue.
4. Await Our Response: Within 24-48 hours, one of our friendly Subsidy Coordinators will reach out to you. We’re here to help!
5. Verification Time: While you’re in the subsidy queue, we’ll need to verify your registration with the state approval/voucher letter you sent us. This helps us ensure everything aligns perfectly.
6. Get Approved: Once we’ve confirmed your registration and received your approval letter, we’ll update your registration to reflect your approval. Almost there!
7. Final Touches: Log back into the Right At School Family Portal and add your payment information. This covers any registration fees or copays required by the state. Don’t worry, if your care is covered 100%, you won’t be charged unless your state coverage changes.
Please note that registration fees are dependent on your approval, and you may be charged a registration fee even if your care is covered at 100%.
And that’s it! You’re all set to join the Right At School family. If you have any questions along the way, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. We’re here to help make your experience with us as smooth and enjoyable as possible!
Exploring Non-School Days and Full-Day Camps
Planning for a full day of fun? Let's make sure you're all set to join in on the excitement!
With these tips, you'll be all set to embark on your next adventure-filled day! 🌟
Keep in mind that your approval might not cover every location. That's why it's crucial to connect with your agency and provide them with the correct provider ID and dates for the camp you're interested in. Need help finding those provider IDs? Check out the list here!
Changing Providers: Making It Work for You
Here's everything you need to know about changing your child care provider:
Submitting a Change
If you want to attend a program at a school that is different from what is listed on your approval, you'll need to submit a change of provider request to your agency.
What Your Agency Needs
When you reach out to your agency, make sure you have your case number, your child's name, the provider ID of the new location you want to attend, and the date you plan to start. Don't forget to specify if you need full-time care!
Change of Provider Form
There's a CCAP change of provider form available. We've made it easy for you - click here to find the form.
Understanding the Form
On the form, you'll see two boxes. The first box completely changes your provider entirely from your current host location to a new one. If you are changing schools and moving to a different location for before and after school care, use this first box. If you're approved at a different provider that isn’t Right At School but wants Right at School as your new provider, also use the change of provider box.
The second box is for when you need to add an additional provider. You would utilize this box if your child's before and/or after school care is at one location, but the non-school day or camp you wish to attend is at another location. By filling out this box, you add that location in addition to your already approved provider location.
Getting Approved
Once your agency approves your change of provider, you'll receive confirmation. Make sure to send us that approval so we can update your records. You can easily do this by uploading it to the "submit your approval" form here.
We're here to support you through these changes, so don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
Let's make sure your child care fits your needs perfectly!
Staying Eligible: Understanding Redetermination
We want to make sure you have all the info you need about redetermination and how it affects your state child care assistance.
Redetermination is when you need to check in with your agency and provide certain documents to confirm you’re still eligible for state child care assistance.
Keep an eye on your approval letter for your assistance end date. That’s when it’s time to reach out to your agency for redetermination.
Your state agency will usually send notifications by mail or email when your redetermination date is approaching. Watch out for those so you don’t miss any deadlines!
We recommend connecting with your agency at least 30 days before your coverage end date. Processing times can vary, so it’s best to start early to avoid any gaps in coverage.
If you do not submit the necessary paperwork with your State Agency, your care will end on the date stated in your approval letter. That means you will be responsible for covering the cost of Right at School care until you submit a new approval letter to us.
If your care ends before you submit a new approval letter, you will need to reapply for benefits through your state agency if you meet the approval criteria.
If you go through the redetermination process and get approved for continued care, don’t forget to send us your NEW approval. You can do this easily using the “submit your approval” form on our child care assistance page.
We're here to help every step of the way, so please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. Let us ensure a seamless experience for your family's childcare journey!
Frequently Asked Questions
If you don’t qualify for state assistance, don’t worry! We understand that navigating financial matters can sometimes be challenging. We encourage you to review the discounts we offer here at Right At School. We strive to make our programs accessible to all families, and you may find options that fit your needs. Check out our financial assistance and discounts page to explore the options available to you.
You can find the list of Right At School locations and their Provider IDs here.
You’ve received your approval letter – congratulations! Now, let’s make sure you’re all set to join us at Right At School. Share it with our subsidy team by sending it here. Once we have that, we will reach out to you within 24-48 hours.
If the non-school day program or camp is held at the same school location where your child is already approved for care, you’re all set! No additional steps are needed.
However, if the non-school day program or camp is hosted at a different school location, you’ll need to fill out the Change of Provider form. Choose the second box for “Adding Providers” and send it to your agency for approval. Once your request is approved by the agency, be sure to send us that approval letter as well. This helps us ensure that your child’s enrollment is properly coordinated and that payment is arranged accordingly.
While some agencies may send approval letters directly to us, it’s ultimately the responsibility of the family to ensure that the approval letter is sent to us.
To confirm that we’ve received your approval letter, please use our convenient “Submit Approval Letter” form. This ensures that your approval is promptly processed and applied to your child’s enrollment.
If you believe you should be receiving child care assistance but are currently paying full cost, there are a few potential reasons why:
- It’s possible that we don’t have your current approval letter on file. If you’ve received approval for assistance from your state agency, please ensure that you’ve sent us a copy of your approval letter so we can update your records accordingly.
- If you’ve submitted for redetermination, we’ll need the updated approval letter from your agency once it’s been processed. Please be sure to send us the new approval letter promptly to avoid any delays in assistance.
- Your previous approval for assistance may have ended, and you may have missed the redetermination window. If this is the case, we encourage you to reach out to your state agency to discuss your eligibility and reapply for assistance if necessary.
Need Additional Help?
Contact our team for additional information and assistance. We are ready and eager to support you!
