General Information:
The COVID-19 Child Care Assistance Reimbursement Program was created to provide child care reimbursement assistance to any employed Manassas City residents who will be experiencing financial hardship due to the unexpected need for school-aged (ages 5-14) child care as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic school closure. Manassas City Department of Social Services is prioritizing assistance to families and caregivers who must return to work, potentially leaving school-aged children (ages 5-14) unattended, unsupervised or without adequate child care. Reimbursement payments will be made to parents/caregivers who do NOT have a child care arrangement for school-aged children (ages 5-14) during the Fall 2020 semester for:
- In-home child care provider
- Licensed child care center
- Fall 2020 day-camp program
Assistance will be approved for a single request per household. We are asking all those who contact MCDSS to utilize this information and make other reasonable efforts (responsible relative/friend; arrangement with existing child care program) prior to submitting your application for funding. Funds are limited and will be distributed on a first come, first served basis for immediate need, according to availability and based on established guidelines.
Eligibility Requirements
In order to qualify for assistance from the COVID-19 Child Care Assistance Reimbursement Program, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- You must be a resident of and living in Manassas City.
- You must show proof of employment.
- You must provide proof of income.
- You must show that you have school-aged (aged 5-14) children enrolled in Manassas City Public Schools living in the home.
- You must show proof that your children are unable to return to school as a result of the COVID-19 school shutdown.
- You must have a valid contract with a care-giver or child care center/program. The contract must state that your child is receiving care as a result of school closure.
- You must show proof that you are unable to adequately supervise your children during business hours due to work (i.e. letter from your employer, employee timesheet, etc.).
- You must show evidence of payment to the child care provider for reimbursement.
- You must be able to provide a W-9 to the City of Manassas.
Who is not eligible?
- Parents/Caregivers who have children currently enrolled in Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF); VIEW Childcare; Head Start; or Fee-based child care.
- Parents/Caregivers who have the ability to stay home with their child and do not have to return to work.
- Parents/Caregivers who have already made adequate child care arrangements through their usual child care provider.
Income Guidelines
Qualified parents/caregivers must be below the Manassas City annual median household income of $78,462.
Examples of Required Documentation
- Identification: Copy of photo ID reflecting the residential address.
- Birth Certificates for the eligible children.
- Proof of school enrollment in Manassas City Public Schools.
- Valid contract with a child care provider/agency/program.
- Proof of payment to the child care provider/agency/program.
- Completed Child Care Assistance Reimbursement Program application.
- Letter from their employer or employee timesheet.
Assistance Per Household
- Funding for child care assistance reimbursement available from August 31, 2020 through December 31, 2020.
- *Up to $1,200 per month per child. Eligibility and amounts will be determined by Manassas City Department of Social Services and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
- All child care assistance payments will be made directly to parents are a reimbursement for child care services rendered.
Program Administration
The goal of this program is to process and fund accepted applications within 7 days. The process is as follows:
1. Applicants fill out the application form and turn it in.
· For assistance completing the application form and assembling documents, please call 703-361-8277. This number is only for help in submitting the application.
2. Assemble the supporting documentation as requested and submit application package by:
· In-person or drop-box: 9324 West Street, Manassas VA 20110
· Email: mcdss@dss.virginia.gov
· Fax: 571-921-8806