Commonly Asked Questions

At this time, only working families residing in Albany, Erie, Onondaga, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Oneida, Monroe, and Suffolk Counties are able to access the WDI Child Care Subsidy Program as legislated by the NYS Senate and Assembly.  To determine if your family qualifies for another type of child care subsidy, please contact your local Department of Social Services (DSS) through the NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) website.

WDI’s program is designed to aid, assist, facilitate, and simplify the subsidy application process for working families. It is able to serve working families with incomes higher than the Department of Social Services income eligibility level.

• Once a prescreening has been completed, and if funding is available, WDI provides an application and assistance in completing it as requested (by phone, after hours appointments, workplace appointments)
• Upon completion of the application, including supporting documentation, WDI submits the application to the local DSS Child Care Subsidy Unit
• DSS determines eligibility and calculates your family share
• DSS mails a determination letter to you within 30 days and sends a copy to WDI
• WDI staff continues to provide you with assistance on subsidy related issues – change of address, income, provider etc. You MUST contact WDI immediately in the event of any of these changes
• WDI staff also assists families through the local DSS recertification process every year.

You may continue to qualify for the subsidy if your family remains eligible AND funding is available.  However, recertification is necessary.

WDI child care subsidy recipients are required to recertify every 6-12 months based on county of residence.  DSS mails you an application at the time of recertification which you must complete to continue qualifying for the child care subsidy.  Contact your local WDI office if you need recertification application assistance.

Qualified families may select any day care, after school, or informal provider, as long as the selected provider/child care program is licensed, registered, or is an approved legally exempt provider AND is willing to accept payment through DSS.

You may visit the NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) website and/or your local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency (CCRR) for assistance in locating providers in your area.

WDI staff provides information on selecting a child care provider.  You may visit the NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) website and/or your local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency (CCRR) for assistance in locating providers in your area.