Thank you, for your continued support through these difficult times. We are currently working with our families on a case by case basis to assist our families where we can financially and emotionally.
At Erina kindergarten we are offering applicable families financial assistance during this time and we are encouraging families who are choosing not to send their children to our service, due to concerns regarding the Corona virus pandemic or due to a temporary change in circumstances with their employment or circumstances to please speak to our admin team about their allowable absent days. Please do not hesitate to speak to our wonderful knowledgeable team in regards to any temporary assistance we can offer in regards to fee payments. We are offering our families support and incentives in regards to the fee payments to continue their enrolment at Erina kindergarten.
The Hon Dan Tehan, Minister for Education, announced amendments to Family Assistance Law primary legislation that will help minimise the impact that COVID-19 has on families using our child care service.
These amendments have allowed the Minister for Education to:
• increase the number of days that a family can continue to claim the Child Care Subsidy in cases where a child is absent from child care for more than the currently allowable 42 days to 62 days
• give a family access to additional absences, without the need for evidence, in relation to COVID-19
• waive the current obligation of child care services to require a family to pay gap fees if the service is forced to close.
• Additional Child Care Subsidy (temporary financial hardship) is a short-term payment from the Australian Government to help families experiencing significant financial stress with the cost of child care. This payment will help with the continuity of child care for children and provide support to families when they need it most.
Also please speak to our staffs for more information about the below process of applying for temporary assistance if you are needing a further more financial assistance.
What is the Additional Child Care Subsidy (temporary financial hardship)?
Additional Child Care Subsidy (temporary financial hardship) is a short-term payment from the Australian Government to help families experiencing significant financial stress with the cost of child care. This payment will help with the continuity of child care for children and provide support to families when they need it most.
Who can get the Additional Child Care Subsidy (temporary financial hardship)?
Additional Child Care Subsidy (temporary financial hardship) is available to families who are eligible for the Child Care Subsidy (which can be applied for at the same time) and where an individual is experiencing temporary financial hardship which has caused a substantial reduction in their ability to pay child care fees due to:
• the death of a partner or child of the individual
• unexpected loss of employment of the individual, or a partner of the individual, other than due to resignation or retirement
• loss of income or business failure of an individual, or the partner of the individual, due to circumstances outside of their, or their partner’s, control (such as serious illness)
• loss of income of the individual, due to the death of a former partner who was providing ongoing financial assistance in relation to their child
• the individual, or their partner, has been adversely affected by a major disaster event
• destruction of, or severe damage to, the individual, or their partner’s, home
• the individual having to leave home and not being able to return because of an extreme circumstance (such as domestic violence)
• where an individual is still living at home and a family member has left or has been removed because of domestic violence against the individual.
To receive the subsidy, families need to apply for temporary financial hardship assistance within six months from the date of the event. Evidence will be required to support the application and may include, but is not limited to, a letter from an employer (for loss of job), statutory declaration outlining the nature of the temporary hardship, medical certificate or death certificate. Evidence will also need to show the circumstance/event occurred within six months from the date of application and identify how the event has resulted in a substantial reduction in their ability to pay child care fees.
How many hours of child care subsidy will an eligible family receive?
Families who are eligible for the Additional Child Care Subsidy (temporary financial hardship) will not have to meet the activity test. This means they will be entitled to access up to 100 hours of subsidised child care per fortnight. Eligible families will receive a subsidy equal to the actual fee charged by the child care service, up to 120 per cent of the Child Care Subsidy hourly rate cap, whichever is lower. In most cases, the full cost of child care will be covered.
How will the subsidy be paid?
The Additional Child Care Subsidy (temporary financial hardship) is paid directly to child care providers to reduce the cost of child care fees. The subsidy is paid for a maximum of 13 weeks per event.
How do families apply for the Additional Child Care Subsidy (temporary financial hardship)?
Families can apply for the subsidy by accessing their Centrelink online account through myGov or by visiting a Centrelink office and applying in person.
What if a family’s circumstances change?
Families need to let Centrelink know as soon as possible if their circumstances change that might affect their eligibility for this additional subsidy.
Where can I get further information on the Child Care Package?
Department of Education, Skills and Employment Child Care Package: dese.gov.au/ecc
Services Australia Child Care Subsidy: servicesaustralia.gov.au/childcaresubsidy