Expanded child care assistance approved

More Nebraskans are eligible for subsidized child care assistance under a bill passed May 19.

LB485, introduced by Bennington Sen. Wendy DeBoer, increases the income eligibility limit of the Child Care Subsidy program from 130 percent of the federal poverty level to 185 percent. The bill also increases transitional child care income eligibility from 185 percent of FPL to 200 percent.

Expanded eligibility will end Sept. 30, 2023, and the bill’s cost will be paid through existing federal block grant funds.

Lawmakers passed LB485 31-6.