There are three (3) levels of priority in determining eligibility. Individuals who meet requirements under Priority 1-A OR 1-B will be given first priority for child care placements; individuals who meet requirements under Priority 2 will be given second priority for child care placements; and individuals who meet requirements under Priority 3 will be given third priority for child care placements.

Priority 1-A:

be receiving TANF assistance
OR enrolled in the food stamp employment and training (E&T) program

Priority 1-B:

income must be at or below 100% of the federal poverty guideline (see current guideline below)
families with special needs or teen parents are placed at the top of priority list
if there are more people than funding, your name will be added to a waiting list

Priority 2:

families transitioning off TANF (received assistance one month in the past 12 months)
- these families will receive child care assistance for a consecutive 12 month period
- you do not have to meet income eligibility during this 12 month period

Priority 3:

income is above 100% of the federal poverty guideline but below 200% of the federal poverty guideline (see current guideline below)
these families will be certified for a 6 month block
services will be provided subject to available funds
families with special needs or teen parents are placed at top of priority list
if there are more people than funding, your name will be added to a waiting list

In addition to the above requirements, each priority level MUST meet the following requirements under each category:

be a New Mexico resident - proof of residency is required;
have a child in the home who meets the age requirements; AND
show a service need by meeting the work/school requirements.

Families with a disabled child automatically meet the service need requirement.

What are the service need requirements?

To qualify for income-eligible child care, a family must show that it has a need for child care services because of work, school, job training, or a child with special needs. In families with two parents, both parents must show a service need.

To show a service need, you must be:

working at a paid job (full or part time), OR
participating in education or training

If your child has special needs, your family automatically meets the service need requirement. The disability or special need must be certified by a doctor or clinic.

Which children qualify for child care?

Families who meet the eligibility requirements can get child care for their children who are:

6 weeks old, up to the month the child turns 13
Older than twelve with special needs

What income is counted when calculating gross income for income-eligible child care?

For income-eligible families using the sliding fee scale, gross income that is counted includes:

wages/salary
self-employment income
Social Security benefits
interest and dividends
rental income
pensions and annuities
unemployment or workman's compensation
alimony and child support
public assistance payment
veterans administration payments (except for education)
union payments
railroad retirement benefits
work-study income
TANF benefits
royalties
diversionary payments
cash gifts

Income that is not counted includes:

money from the sale of property
tax refunds
gifts
cash value of food stamps
loans and grants that cannot be used for living expenses
income earned by children under 18
military food and housing allowances
payments for education
relocation payments
lump sum payments from insurance settlements or court judgments
savings
IRAs
vehicles
CDs
checking accounts
SSI
loans
child or adult nutrition programs
an increase in military salary or allowances
3rd party payments
energy assistance benefits
foster care payments

What is the Federal Poverty Guideline?

**2009 Federal Poverty Guideline**
Source: Federal Register, Vol. 74, No. 14, January 23, 2009
	Family of 2	Family of 3	Family of 4	Family of 5	Family of 6
100%*	$14,570	$18,310	$22,050	$25,790	$29,530
150%**	$21,855	$27,465	$33,075	$38,685	$44,295
200%***	$29,140	$36,620	$44,100	$51,580	$59,060

*If a family has more than 6 members, add $3,740 for each additional member

**If a family has more than 6 members, add $5,610 for each additional member

***If a family has more than 6 members, add $7,480 for each member

Can noncitizens get income-eligible child care?

To receive income-eligible child care benefits, a family must:

be a citizen of the U.S. OR
qualified alien by federal law

A child that is a citizen or qualified alien, as approved by the New Mexico Human Services Department, will be eligible if all financial requirements are met, regardless of citizenship and/or alien status of the child's parent or parents.

Nonimmigrants with student visas are not eligible for subsidized child care on the basis of their student status.

What kinds of changes can affect my eligibility?

The following kinds of changes can affect your eligibility for income-eligible child care. You may become ineligible if:

you stop working or taking part in an education or training program;
your children no longer qualify (for example, they no longer meet the age requirements);
you can no longer show a need for child care;
you do not pay your part of the fees for child care services; or
your income increases beyond the income limits.

If I am not eligible for income-eligible child care, what are my options?

If you are not eligible for income-eligible child care, you should call or visit your local child care resource and referral agency to see if you qualify for a different subsidized child care program or scholarship. For the name and address of your local agency see our list of agencies or call 277-7900 in Albuquerque or 1-800-691-9067 statewide.

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