Families must first complete an application for Child Care Assistance so that eligibility may be determined.  Applications may be picked up at our tribal office in Durant, at one of the county field offices.  We can mail one to your home, or you can download and print out an application here.  The application process requires a number of steps.  

CLICK HERE to download and print the Child Care Assistance Application

1.    Copies of the following must be included with the application:

       Child’s CDIB (Certificate Degree of Indian Blood)
       Child’s Social Security Card
       Child’s Current Immunization Record
       State Birth Certificate for all children in household
       Income verification and one month’s check stub of each parent
       Self Employment Form (if applicable)
       Any other income received
       Current Class Schedule (if applicable)
       Divorce Decree or Affidavit of Separation
       Utility Bill (electric, gas, or water). If living at someone else’s residence,
       provide a statement from that person stating you reside with them.

2.    Child Care Assistance can only be provided during the time that you are working, in training, or in class (lab time included),
        and the travel time to and from the child care facility.  Assistance is not provided while you shop or run errands, etc.

3.    A sliding fee scale based on income and family size will be used to determine eligibility.

4.    Income will be determined using the gross monthly income of the household.

5.     Proof of household income will be based on the following:

         a.     Parent’s/guardian’s income (those residing in household)
         b.     Current months pay stubs and Income Verification form
         c.     Child or spousal support
         d.     TANF total requirement
         e.     College Work Study
          f.     Social Security Payments
         g.     Other income (rent, stipends, taxable retirements, work study, bonuses, etc.)

6.    Self-employed parents/guardians are required to

        a.     Submit a Schedule C/Profit/Loss tax statement for the previous year and a completed self-employment form.
                The self-employment forms are available in the Child Care Assistance office.
        b.     New business owners that have not filed for their previous year’s Profit and Loss will be required to submit
                a tax projection from their accountant. 

7.    $250.00 will be deducted for each working parent for job related expenses, unless self-employed.

8.    “Household Unit” will be considered the child(ren), parents, and significant others.

9.    A birth certificate is required for each child listed on the household member list whether requesting child care or not.

10.    Proof of Residence:  A utility bill (electric, gas or water only) with the parent/guardian name and street address is required. 
         If the utility bill is in someone else-s name, that person must write a letter or note stating that you reside at their residence.
         Changes in address must be reported to our office immediately.

11.    Parents that are attending high school must submit their class schedule or a letter, on school letterhead, from
         an authorized   representative, stating they attend school regularly.

12.    All Indian children or a parent/guardian must be eligible or enrolled in a federally recognized Tribe.  If the child
          is not enrolled, the parent/guardian must apply, or enroll within six (6) months of participation on the Program. 
         We will accept a copy of the parents/guardian CDIB for six months.

13.    Applications will not be processed until all documents required are received by our office.  Incomplete applications
          will be placed in the incomplete file and an Incomplete Notice will be mailed to the parent.  If the missing documents
         are not received within 30 days, you will receive an Ineligible Notice.  Child care assistance will not be approved and
         the parent/guardian will be responsible for payment to their provider.

14.    If a family is determined eligible for assistance, the parent/guardian and the caregiver/provider will be notified by
         phone and by mail usually within three (3) days.

15.    If the Caregiver/Provider chosen is not currently contracting with the Choctaw Nation CCA office, an application
          will be sent to the provider and a site visit done by our office before any payments can be made to them for your
         child’s care. 

16.    Parents/Guardians will be responsible for payment of their co-pay (if required) to the provider, and also for the full
         payment if the day are expense is less than the co-payment.  Parents should make every effort to make timely
         payments to their providers.

17.    Once a child has been approved for the Child Care Assistance Program, it is the responsibility of the
          parent/guardian to inform our office of any status changes in (1) income (2) employment (3) residence
         (4) class schedule (5) provider (6) or any other status changes, along with all necessary documents, within
         30 days.  If notification is not received within 30 days your child(ren) can be terminated from the Program and
        you will be responsible for full payment of your child care expense.  If terminated, you will need to reapply for eligibility.

18.    Change of Caregiver/Provider:  A Written request must be submitted to our office providing the name of the
          previous provider, the last day the child was there, the date the child will start with the new provider.  The request
          will need to be signed and dated by the parent and must be submitted to our office within 30 days.