By Joyce Kryszak
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-919997.mp3
Buffalo, NY – The Erie County Department of Social Services announced Monday that it is expanding eligibility levels for child care subsidies.
Eligibility for the low income subsidy program was raised from 125% to 175% of the Federal Poverty Level. That will make it possible for more families to qualify.
Earlier this year, the county came under fire for reducing income guidelines and freezing intake for the program. 674 families lost their subsidies.
But county officials said a recently approved six million dollar increase in state funding allowed them to raise the poverty threshold. The new threshold is still 25% lower than it was prior to cuts. DSS Commisioner Carol Dankert said the county is doing what it can with the money that has been allocated.
Dankert said it is unlikely the poverty threshold will be expanded further. And she said, depending on the economy and the number of people who apply, cuts to the program could happen again.
Erie County Legislature Chairwoman Barara Miller-Williams echoed those concerns. She said the state budget money also is not guaranteed beyond this year. Miller-Williams said the fluctuations and cuts to the program have caused hardships to families and to the child care providers.
She is encouraging families to apply for the subsidies right away while the additional funding is still available.