Families in 24 states worse off under child-care aid policies in 2013 than in 2012, advocates say

Families in 24 states were worse off under one or more key child care assistance policies in 2013 than in 2012, according to a report by the National Women’s Law Center. "Many families with incomes too low to afford child care on their own do not qualify for child care assistance because of states’ restrictive income criteria," the report says. "A family with an income above 150 percent of poverty ($29,295 per year for a family of three) could not qualify for assistance in 14 states. A family with an income above 200 percent of poverty ($39,060 per year for a family of three) could not qualify for assistance in 38 states. Approximately half of the states reduced their income limits or kept their income limits the same as a dollar amount, without any adjustment for inflation, between 2012 and 2013." (Read more) To read the full report click here. To view state coverage click here.