It’s now easier for Kentucky families to apply for child care assistance funds.
The Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) has moved eligibility services for its Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) into Benefind, the public assistance web portal used by customers to apply for other state assistance programs.
The online service, benefind, is already the single access point for customers to apply for Medicaid, the Kentucky Children’s Health Insurance Program (KCHIP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food benefits) and the Kentucky Transition Assistance Program (KTAP, also known as welfare).
CHFS Secretary Vickie Yates Brown Glisson said that the transition means that customers will be able to apply for all of their benefits with a single application or add programs as needed.
“Among our CCAP customers, 93 percent are already receiving one type of assistance through benefind,” Secretary Glisson said. “This is much more user-friendly for our customers, as they can apply, recertify and report changes to their child care situation all in one place.”
Prior to the transition, customers were required to contact their local Child Care Council representative separately to apply for CCAP. And CCAP recipients were required to report changes in their circumstances to both DCBS and the Child Care Council.
Glisson said through benefind, CCAP families now have access to an eligibility worker in every county during business hours, which was not available previously. Families are also able to receive important notices and other correspondence online through their benefind accounts.
DCBS Commissioner Adria Johnson said that there is a significant cost savings to this integrated approach, which eliminates a $7.1 million contract for the CCAP enrollment services.
“Our main benefit is improved and faster customer service, but this cost savings is something we can pass along to the people of Kentucky,” Johnson said.
According to the Commissioner, when caregivers apply for CCAP, DCBS eligibility staff can tell them if they are eligible for other benefits; Child Care Council staff were not able to make those kind of determinations.
The shared data model of benefind will also reduce administrative errors and fraud, Johnson said.
Learn more about benefind at benefind.ky.gov. Learn more about DCBS and its services at chfs.ky.gov.
From Cabinet for Health and Family Services
I need some information on child care assistance program
How many days missed a month
Do parents need to remain current on copay
There was information offered on line at one time and I wondered if still was for refresher on completing information on child care assistance
My kids are on ktap cash card and I have heard that all others have received food stamps on their card as well as cash I have not received this assistance can you just let me know why I haven’t received this as well I would appreciate any help thank you
I have full custody of both kids since 2008 or9. Gunner is 18 just turned in may jordan is 12
Gunner and jordan have medical card and ebtcard for I guess child support from parents
Do you have s phone number I can call or you can call me at 606 717 0172
I have renewed my assistance on both kids and I up to date on everything on my kids. I go to what we all call the food stamp office but I think it is family assistance in irvine ky 40336
Does the benefind website help any