The purpose of the NIH Child Care Subsidy Program is to make child care more affordable for lower income NIH Federal employees through the use of agency appropriated funds. In FY 2011, NIH has allocated over $500,000 for the NIH Child Care Subsidy Program.

The NIH Child Care Subsidy Program is able to immediately serve eligible NIH Federal employees.

Oversight and Administration

Section 643 of Public Law 106-58, the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act of 2000, allows Federal agencies to use appropriated funds that are otherwise available for salaries to assist employees with lower incomes in paying for child care provided by licensed providers.

The NIH has chosen the Federal Employee Education and Assistance (FEEA) Childcare Services, Inc. to manage the agency's Child Care Subsidy Program. The FEEA Childcare Services Inc. will receive the completed applications, make the subsidy determinations based on eligibility and funding, and notify the applicants and the child care provider of the decision.

Questions about the application process should be addressed to FEEA Childcare Services Inc. at the following telephone numbers: 1-800-323-4140, 1-800-338-0755, or (303) 933-7580.

The following explains the program and provides applications, forms, and contact information.

Eligibility for Subsidy Program

To qualify for a subsidy you must:

• Be a permanent eligible employee (Civil Service) with dependent children living in your home from birth under the age of 13, or children who are disabled and under age 18.
• Have a total adjusted household income of $70,000 per year or less.
• Use care that is licensed and or regulated by state and or local authorities.
• Work full time.
  In two parent families:
  
  • The NIH employee must be working full time and the spouse of the NIH employee is working at least 30 hours per week; or
  • The NIH employee must be working full time and the spouse of the NIH employee is a documented full time student.

NIH Contractors, Fellows and Title 42 Visiting Scientists are not eligible for this program by Federal law.

Child care subsidy benefits are limited to $5,000.00 per year, per family.

Completed applications will be accepted in the order they are received and will be effective at the beginning of the month in which they are received.

* Refers to total adjusted household income on IRS Tax Return Form 1040.

** This program includes a benefit cap of $5,000 per family per year, and participant's benefits under this plan will be reduced by the amount of other state or local child care subsidies received by the participant.

If you are contributing to a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA):
In accordance with Section 129 of the Internal Revenue Code, an employee can generally exclude from gross income up to $5,000.00 of benefits received under a Dependent Care Assistance Program each year. This would include the DCFSA and the NIH Child Care Subsidy Program. Benefits from both of these programs may not exceed the $5,000.00 limit.

For further guidance please refer to the Office of Personnel Management - Benefits Administration Letter.

How to Apply

NIH Federal Employees can apply at any time.

NIH employees interested in participating in this program should carefully review all of the information and requirements and follow these procedures:

• If the employee's child(ren) is/are not yet enrolled in child care, employees should identify a licensed and/or regulated center-based or family child care provider, and ensure there is a space for their child before applying for the subsidy. Once space is verified, employees can complete the subsidy application forms.
• If employees already have their child(ren) enrolled in licensed and/or regulated child care (center-based or family child care), and they wish to receive a subsidy, they should fill out the subsidy application forms.

The complete subsidy application package consists of:

• NIH Form 2897 - NIH Child Care Subsidy Program Application 
• OPM Form 1643 - Child Care Subsidy Application Form 
• OPM Form 1644 - Child Care Provider Information for the Child Care Subsidy/Program for Federal Employees 
  (Section 4 on OPM Form 1644 is not required.)
  

  Note - If more than one child care provider provides care, a completed OPM Form 1644 and accompanying documentation must be submitted for each provider.

• These required supporting documents:
  • Form SF-50 (Verification of NIH Employment)
  • Two most recent pay statements for each parent or guardian.
    • or a copy of the full time college registration documentation for spouse.
  • A copy of the most recent Federal income tax returns for each parent or guardian
  • A copy of the child care provider's current license or statement of compliance with State and/or local child care regulations.

Request Subsidy Application Forms:

If you are unable to open the links above and would like to have copies of the subsidy application forms mailed/faxed to you, please contact the NIH Child Care Coordination Team at (301) 402-8180.

The completed application package must be MAILED to:

Federal Employee Education and Assistance Childcare Services, Inc.
NIH Child Care Program
3333 S. Wadsworth Boulevard
Suite 300
Lakewood, Colorado 80227

Electronic or fax applications will not be accepted.

The FEEA Childcare Services, Inc. will review applications, make subsidy decisions, and notify the applicant and child care provider of approval or disapproval within 10 business days upon receipt of a complete application and supporting documents. Tuition assistance reimbursements will be made to the provider, not to the NIH employee. The employee will receive the subsidy in the form of reduced fees from the provider.

Completed applications will be processed in the order they are received.

This is an NIH sponsored program with a annual spending limit. When maximum expenditure of funds occurs, applications will be placed on a waiting list.

Participants are required to re-apply annually.

Questions about the application process should be addressed to:
FEEA Childcare Services, Inc.
1-800-323-4140 | 1-800-338-0755 | (303) 933-7580

If you have additional questions or need more information, please call the NIH Child Care Coordination Team at:  301-402-8180.