Best Starts for Kids Child Care Subsidy
The reauthorization application and all required materials are due no later than April 3, 2025.
The reauthorization application will open on March 3, 2025. It will be shorter than the one you completed last fall. This time, you will submit it through Monday.com, not the Family Portal. We know the application in the Family Portal was difficult to use, so we have made this change to make the process easier. The form on Monday.com will be available starting March 3, 2025, and the link will be sent via email and will also be available here on the Reauthorization Hub on that date.
All families with a six month authorization are required to apply for Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) Subsidy and submit a WCCC denial letter. This is regardless of any changes in your work or school status, or family income.
The length of your current approval (six or 12 months) is based on the working and/or income status of the adults in your household.
Stay tuned for more details and make sure to mark your calendars!
To be eligible for the Spring 2025 Best Starts Child Care Subsidy Reauthorization, families must meet the following criteria:
Please note that reauthorization and reapplication to the Best Starts for Kids Subsidy Program is only for families currently enrolled in the program who wish to continue receiving the subsidy.
A waitlist for the Best Starts Subsidy program is scheduled to open by March 1, 2025. Please go to https://www.brightspark.org/bskchildcare/ to access the waitlist form once it is available. The reauthorization application cannot be used to add or update your family’s information to the Best Starts Waitlist.
Best Starts for Kids Child Care Subsidy prioritizes families who are not served by existing public subsidies and for whom child care is unaffordable. This includes families living just above the income eligibility threshold for existing public subsidies, as well as families who are below the income cut-off but ineligible for or not well served by these programs.
Families who are reauthorizing Spring 2025 (families with a six-month authorization ending May 31, 2025 only) may request to add eligible children as part of the reauthorization process. Children must meet all eligibility criteria as outlined in the reauthorization application.
All enrolled families may add an infant (before the child’s first birthday) as needed throughout the period of their authorization for the Best Starts Subsidy. Please reach out to our team of Family Access and Support navigators for assistance with adding a child, who is a member of the family’s household, at periods outside of reauthorization.
A denial letter based upon an incomplete or withdrawn submission is not sufficient to meet the expectation of a WCCC denial letter. Denial letters dated prior to February 20, 2025 will not be accepted.
WCCC denial letters must be received by 5:00pm April 3, 2025.
How to Apply for Working Connections
Contact the Child Care Subsidy Contact Center: Call 1-844-626-8687 or visit www.WashingtonConnection.org to apply online.
Complete the Application: Be sure to provide all required information, including your child care provider’s name and phone number.
Application Process:
The parent/guardian must complete the WCCC application and verification process.
Apply by contacting the Child Care Subsidy Contact Center at 1-844-626-8687 or online at www.WashingtonConnection.org.
DCYF will review information to determine a family’s eligibility.
Provide DCYF with the name and phone number of the child care provider.
Questions about WCCC?
For questions call the DCYF Child Care Contact Center at 1-844-626-8687.
More information on WCCC eligibility can be found online at www.dcyf.wa.gov/services/earlylearning-childcare/getting-help/wccc.
See below for how to then submit your letter to Best Starts Subsidy!
Option 1: Fax Directly to Best Starts for Kids Subsidy
Option 2: Receive by Postal Mail and Send to FAS Navigator
Please note that when answering questions about income, we are asking about the income for up to two adult household members who are either a parent, spouse of a parent, or a significant other with whom they have a child with.
To ensure a smooth reauthorization process, if asked to submit documentation, please make sure that it meets the following requirements:
Complete Information: All documents must be complete and include the name of the applicant or second adult in the household.
Date Inclusion: Documents must clearly show the dates they pertain to.
These requirements help us verify your income accurately and process your reauthorization efficiently.
The Best Starts for Kids Child Care Subsidy requires applicants to report the total gross (pre-tax) income of up to two adult household members, such as parents, spouses, or significant others with whom they have a child.
To qualify, a family’s gross household income that falls at or below 85% of the State Median Income (SMI) (click here to see income limits) based on the household size.
Applicants will be able to identify the sources of their household income and upload the documentation required for each income source. All income sources will need to be indicated and documented.
Income Source & Documentation Required
Employment income – W-2 / 1099 :
Pay stubs from February 2025 from all jobs,
OR, a pay statement from February of income if the applicant is a driver or delivery person for an app-based company,
OR, employer letter from new job dated within 30 days of the application. The letter should include start date, hours worked, and wage.
Self-employment income, capital gains income, dividend income (from stocks), interest income, royalty income :
The applicant will need to complete a declaration of self-employment income which may include:
Tax Form 1040
Schedule 1
Form 1065
Schedule K-1
Schedule C (or EZ)
Form 1120 (or S)
Profit and Loss Statement for February 2025
Pay stubs from earned income for February 2025
Disability insurance- SSI/SSDI :
Current award letter
Student financial aid :
Financial Aid Award Letter
AND/OR, Work Study- Award letter or supervisor letter including hours/wage
TANF or other cash benefits (such as unemployment insurance) :
Current award letter
Rental income :
Schedule E tax documents from most recent tax year
Child Support (received) :
Receipts of amounts received
Works jobs for cash :
Statement in Reauthorization Application or Self-Attestation PDF Form
Other income :
Statement in Reauthorization Application or Self-Attestation PDF Form
The Best Starts for Kids Child Care Subsidy requires applicants to report the total gross (pre-tax) income of up to two adult household members, such as parents, spouses, or caregivers of the child intended to receive the subsidy.
To qualify, a family’s gross household income that falls at or below 85% of the State Median Income (SMI) (click here to see income limits) based on the household size.
As part of the reauthorization process, applicants will be asked to confirm that they currently live in King County. Families who are experiencing homelessness will be asked to provide an address closest to where they are staying. Families who have moved since the fall 2024 reauthorization will be asked to update their address. For this six-month reauthorization, we do not anticipate asking for documents to verify residency.
You can access the application through the Monday.com form starting March 3, 2025. The link will be sent via email and will also be available here on the Reauthorization Hub on that date.
If you need help at any point during the reauthorization process, you can reach out to your FAS Navigator for support at support@bskchildcare.org or call (206) 208-6865.
After submitting your application, a message saying “Thank you for submitting your application” will appear on the screen.
You will also receive an email confirming that we received your application.
Monday.com does not have a translation feature, but we have provided the translated application questions below. These translations are also included in the introduction of the application. If you need a copy of the translated questions, you can also ask your FAS Navigator.
Translated copies of 6 month reauthorization application:
English
Spanish
Japanese
Bengali
Tamil
Urdu
Applicants can add documents directly while completing the application—the system will prompt families to submit documents as needed. If additional documents need to be uploaded after submission:
Families can contact the FAS Team at 206-208-6865 or support@bskchildcare.org for assistance.
WCCC denial letters can also be faxed directly to us at (253) 295-2643.
For the purposes of this program, your “household” includes the following people:
Yourself
Children under the age of 18 that live with you 50% or more of the time(regardless of child care need)
18-year-old children who live with you and are still in high school
Up to one other adult who lives with you and fits one of the following descriptions:
The following people are NOT counted in your household size:
Boyfriend, girlfriend, or significant other with whom you do not have a child
Grandparents or other adult family members who live with you
Children 18 and older who are no longer in high school
Your children’s biological parent, if that parent does not live with you.
Adult dependents
Roommates
Best Starts for Kids Subsidy covers a set amount determined during reauthorization, based on factors such as household size, income, child’s age, care type, and hours of care. Families and providers need to agree on how to handle any difference between the subsidy amount and the provider’s charges. The provider may charge the family the difference, waive part of it, or waive all of it.
The Best Starts Subsidy Team will review applications as they come in. All families will receive an approval or denial notice by May 15, 2025, at the latest. The earlier you apply, the sooner you may receive a decision.
Important: The Subsidy Payment Authorization will be sent to the family and provider via their portals, after notice of reauthorization. New Vendor Packets will be sent to child care programs, newly participating in the Best Starts Subsidy Program. Before payments can be issued, a Subsidy Payment Authorization (and possibly a New Vendor Packet) must be completed.
Except in rare circumstances, no. Families cannot use both the Best Starts for Kids Child Care Subsidy and WCCC simultaneously. To maximize your benefits:
General Guidance: At reauthorization, all families whose family must apply for WCCC subsidy benefits. In almost all cases, approval for WCCC subsidy means that the family is no longer eligible for Best Starts for Kids Subsidy support.
Supplementing Coverage: If WCCC does not cover all the hours needed, families may request to use the Best Starts for Kids Subsidy to supplement the subsidy authorized by WCCC. Approval by the Best Starts for Kids Subsidy program for continued use of Best Starts Subsidy is on a case-by-case basis.
Co-Pay Costs: The Best Starts Subsidy cannot be used to pay WCCC co-pays.
Head Start and ECEAP: If your child qualifies for Head Start or ECEAP, these programs take priority over the Best Starts for Kids Subsidy. You must first use the subsidy provided by Head Start or ECEAP. If these programs do not cover all the care hours you need, the Best Starts for Kids Subsidy can supplement them on a case-by-case basis. Best Starts Subsidy does not cover co-pay costs. This circumstance requires an exception request be submitted by the family. This will be reviewed, and approved or denied, by the Best Starts for Kids Subsidy Lead Team.
City of Seattle Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP): Families and child care providers are required to notify us if a child is accepted for CCAP subsidy support. You cannot use the CCAP and Best Starts for Kids Subsidy at the same time. Families must choose one program to use and notify Best Starts Subsidy Program of their choice
All Other Private and Municipal Subsidies: The Best Starts for Kids Subsidy can be used with other private or municipal subsidies, provided that the other subsidy allows it. In these cases, Best Starts for Kids will be the primary funding source, and other subsidies may supplement the funding. Families and providers must notify Best Starts for Kids at least one day before the other subsidies become effective, with a preference for two weeks’ notice. Providers are required to notify and verify with Best Starts for Kids when they are receiving other funding.
If you have a safety concern about applying for WCCC, please contact a member of the Family Access and Support (FAS) Team for assistance. We can help address any safety concerns related to your application and explain your options. You can reach out to our FAS Team at (206) 208-6865 or support@bskchildcare.org.
For children aged 13-19 with a disability, the family must:
Provider Requirements: Providers caring for children older than 12 years, must have a license which has been extended to at least the age of the child with special needs who is in their care. The licensing regulations [WAC 110-300-0300, –0355, -0356] stipulate that permission must be granted for each older child with special needs.
Evidence Needed: Families must submit evidence that the provider has been granted permission by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to care for the child. This must include documentation from the licensor approving the special needs accommodation and that the license includes authorization to care for children through at least the age of the particular child.
Application Process: When applying for reauthorization, list children in this age group on the enrollment page of the application, even though they are over 12 years old. Please note the over 12, special needs request in the comments portion of the child care needs schedule for this child.
If you have any questions or need further clarification, please reach out to the FAS Team for support at (206) 208-6865 or support@bskchildcare.org.