CHS childcare subsidies

[aygart]

The rules that they make

That who makes?

[imayid2]

That who makes?

CHS

[aygart]

CHS

Are they made by CHS or the local agency?

[imayid2]

Are they made by CHS or the local agency?

I don't know

[aygart]

I don't know

That is the major difference. If they are enforcing federal regulation then it is what it is but if the agency made their rules to favor one demographic over another that is problematic. I would be quite surprised if getting any K1 even with a loss disqualifies by  federal rules

[imayid2]

That is the major difference. If they are enforcing federal regulation then it is what it is but if the agency made their rules to favor one demographic over another that is problematic.

Is there reason to think this is the case?

[YitzyS]

Paystubs showing work hours are something they are very strict on in general. People have issues re-certifying while on maternity/FL.

You said you don’t have them yet, I assume you’ll wait to apply again until you get them?

I already reapplied. This is rule that for new employment, you need to send it a detailed letter from the employer, and then submit the paystubs when they come. I sent in a letter without any paystubs, and hope they will accept that (and I'll send paystubs when they come)

[YitzyS]

federal regulation

It's a state program, not a federal program IINM

[aygart]

Is there reason to think this is the case?

Ummm, the last sentence that you removed?

[imayid2]

Ummm, the last sentence that you removed?

That tells you it was made to favor a certain demographic?

[aygart]

That tells you it was made to favor a certain demographic?

Oh your question was about favoring a demographic? That is what he wanted to find out with the OPRA request.

[imayid2]

Oh your question was about favoring a demographic? That is what he wanted to find out with the OPRA request.

Why specifically CHS?

[YitzyS]

My aim with an OPRA would be to see all their communications about denial policies, to see if they have any communications about trying to deny as many people as possible.

When an agency is meant to be a service to people who need help, having ruthless policies with almost no recourse is something that is shameful. If they specifically intend to do this - which could a method to dissuade people from joining and to save money - it would be a scandal IMO.

There is also a possibility that it's specifically targeted against Jews, which could also be discovered with an OPRA request, but I have no idea how likely or unlikely that possibility is.

[4yourinfo]

The fact is they evolved over the years making all kinds of policies “tailored” to the Lakewood crowd.
When I signed up in 2014 it was fairly simple. They didn’t make you send in letters from bmg a month before every semester- If I remember correctly one letter for the year was good! if there were discrepancies on a paystub etc they actually answered their phones and you were able to clear it up or explain your situation. I was part of an LLC which made no money an explanation with a letter was enough for them. They actually were somewhat accommodating. As time went on more and more rules that seemed tailored for the Lakewood crowd were created.
2 years ago I got denied I did not have an LLC but self employment income I had lots of real expenses but they would not accept it. They look at line 11 or something like that and split it in half No other program does that - if you can show the expenses! I appealed - failed, called another CHS agency to see if that “rule” was a Lakewood rule - it was a rule by the other agency too however, We don’t know if that rule evolved from Lakewood…
I complained I believe to smith’s office and was told like those are their rules we really have no way to change that or something like that..
Murphy throws a ton of money at the program claiming to help with childcare- when all he did was raise the cost for people that aren’t eligible for CHS!

[4yourinfo]

It's a state program, not a federal program IINM

I believe it is federally funded the state has to come up with rules how the program is going to be implemented etc. and get it approved by the feds

[imayid2]

I was part of an LLC which made no money an explanation with a letter was enough for them. They actually were somewhat accommodating. As time went on more and more rules that seemed tailored for the Lakewood crowd were created.
2 years ago I got denied I did not have an LLC but self employment income I had lots of real expenses but they would not accept it. They look at line 11 or something like that and split it in half No other program does that - if you can show the expenses! I appealed - failed, called another CHS agency to see if that “rule” was a Lakewood rule - it was a rule by the other agency too however, We don’t know if that rule evolved from Lakewood…
I complained I believe to smith’s office and was told like those are their rules we really have no way to change that or something like that..
Murphy throws a ton of money at the program claiming to help with childcare- when all he did was raise the cost for people that aren’t eligible for CHS!

How is this tailored for Lakewood? People are self employed all across the state.

[4yourinfo]

How is this tailored for Lakewood? People are self employed all across the state.

In Lakewood it is very common to have a small business - I would think way more than the general population - it probably didn’t help when people showed a ton of expenses… (I’m assuming they used to allow expenses but I have no idea) but LLC I am pretty sure only became a disqualification in the last couple of years..
I would assume a huge chunk of the program is being used in Lakewood so chances are rules are being developed from their Lakewood clientele

[YitzyS]

I already reapplied. This is rule that for new employment, you need to send it a detailed letter from the employer, and then submit the paystubs when they come. I sent in a letter without any paystubs, and hope they will accept that (and I'll send paystubs when they come)

B"H got a letter over Yom Tov that I was approved!

Approval conditioned on submitting the paystubs, but is retroactive from when I submitted the new application, which was only a few days after daycare started. I'm still holding my breath hoping that nothing goes wrong when submitting the paystubs, and will iyH update if there is any more info.