ORS > DATS > Child & Family > NIH Child Care Subsidy Program

Click here to access information on the current status of the NIH Child and Family Programs.

Check out the April 1, 2022 issue of the NIH Record for "What to Expect Coming Back to the Physical Workplace" https://nihrecord.nih.gov/2022/04/01/what-expect-coming-back-physical-workplace

NIH Child Care Subsidy Program

Child Care subsidy icon

"The subsidy program is a great benefit to have. As a single parent it helps to make child care more affordable. I would definitely recommend it to any parent that is not taking advantage of this opportunity."
(Comment from Subsidy Participant)

The NIH Childcare Subsidy Program Total Adjusted Household Income eligibility level is $100,000 (line 11 on your IRS1040 tax form) and Percentage Levels of Subsidy Assistance cover up to 100% of the participant's childcare expenses (not to exceed $5,000 per year). These new changes became effective as of January 1, 2023.
Click on the NIH Child Care Subsidy Program flyer below for more information.

ON-LINE REGISTRATION is now available!

Click HERE to Apply Today!

Purpose

The purpose of the NIH Child Care Subsidy Program is to make childcare more affordable for lower-income NIH federal employees through the use of agency appropriated funds.

The NIH Child Care Subsidy Program is able to immediately serve eligible NIH Title 5 and Title 42 federal employees with dependent children living in your home under the age of 13, or children who are disabled and under age 18.

Click on the buttons below to learn about the NIH Child Care Subsidy Program.

Eligibility for Childcare Subsidy Program

To qualify for the childcare subsidy program you must:

Be an eligible NIH Title 5 or Title 42 employee with dependent children living in your home under the age of 13, or children who are disabled and under age 18.
Have a total adjusted household income of $100,000 per year or less.
Use childcare that is licensed and/or regulated by state and/or local authorities.
Work full time.

NIH trainees/fellows and NIH contractors are not eligible for this program by Federal law.

Childcare subsidy is limited to $5,000.00 per year, per family.*

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

Current Subsidy Percentages
NIH Employee's Total Adjusted Family Income **	Percentage of the Participant's Child Care Expenses the Plan will Pay
$100,001 or more	0%
$90,001 - $100,000	60%, not to exceed $5,000 per year
$80,001 - $90,000	80%, not to exceed $5,000 per year
$80,000 or less	100%, not to exceed $5,000 per year

* This program includes a cap of $5,000 per family, per year, and the participant's subsidy under this plan will be reduced by the amount of other state or local childcare subsidies received by the participant. Participants can only be enrolled in one program at a time.

** Refers to total adjusted household income on IRS Tax Return: Form 1040, Line 11.

Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

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. Subsidy benefits from both of these programs may not exceed the $5,000.00 limit.

For further guidance, please refer to:

Office of Personnel Management - Benefits Administration Letter. pdf document

How to Apply

NIH Title 5 or Title 42 employees can apply at any time by submitting a complete subsidy application package on-line, via email, fax, or postal mail.

Eligible NIH federal 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 childcare, employees should identify a licensed and/or regulated center-based or family child care provider, and ensure there is a space for their child(ren) 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 childcare (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
Please note: Section 4 on OPM Form 1644 is not required. If more than one childcare provider provides care, a completed OPM Form 1644 and accompanying documentation must be submitted for each provider.
Required supporting documents:

Form SF-50 (Verification of NIH Employment)
Two most recent pay statements for each parent or guardian.
A copy of the most recent federal income tax returns for each parent or guardian.
A copy of the childcare provider's current license or statement of compliance with state and/or local child care regulations.

Request Subsidy Application Form:

If you are unable to open the links above and would like to have paper copies of the subsidy application forms mailed/faxed to you, please contact the NIH Child and Family Programs team at (301) 827-3250.

The completed application can now be submitted four ways:

On-Line Application (www.feeachildcareservices.com)

Click on the link above, it will take you to the FEEA website. Click on the Programs button (on the lower left) and then click on Apply Now button (on the far right). Be sure to scan all the required documents and forms for easy upload.

Fax (202-559-1380)

Email (childcare@feea.org)

Postal mail

Federal Employee Education and Assistance Childcare Services, Inc.
NIH Child Care Subsidy Program
1641 Prince Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

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

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

This is an NIH-sponsored program with an 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 made to:
FEEA Childcare Services, Inc. (202) 554-0007, ext. 103

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, which are otherwise available for salaries, to assist employees with lower incomes in paying for licensed childcare.

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 application, make the subsidy determination based on eligibility and funding, and notify the applicants and the childcare provider of the decision.

Questions about the application process should be addressed to FEEA Childcare Services Inc. at the following telephone number:
(202) 554-0007, ext. 103.

Need More Information

Please refer to the Subsidy Program Frequently Asked Questions.

If you have additional questions, please call the NIH Child and Family Programs team at: 301-827-3250.

Don’t qualify for the child care subsidy? See how you can participate in NIH family programs like the back-up care program, legal and financial resources and referral services, and child care referral services.