Need money for childcare while your kids are remote learning? How to apply for a new $150M N.J. program. – NJ.com

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New Jersey families looking for help watching their children while they are remote learning can apply for a new state program that will cover all or part of their childcare costs through the end of the year.

The new program, called the New Jersey School-Age Tuition Assistance Program, is open to families with annual gross household incomes of $75,000 or less. The state-provided tuition money can be used to pay for childcare costs for students between ages 5 and 13 attending schools that are remote learning due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A total of $150 million is available and families can start applying today, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday at his daily coronavirus press briefing.

“We know this is of particular importance to working parents whose children are currently learning remotely,” Murphy said.

Under the program:

— Families can apply online at ChildCareNJ.gov. Applicants will be asked to provide proof of their income, such as pay stubs and tax forms, and a copy of their school’s remote learning schedule when they apply.

— The money is available for students between ages 5 and 13 whose schools are remote learning either every day, part time or a few days a week.

— The money is only available for children being cared for by a licensed child care center or registered family child care provider, not relatives or friends. The money will be paid directly to the child care provider for services between Sept. 1 and Dec. 30.

— There is no guarantee the state will cover the entire childcare bill. “If the amount that we pay is less than the child care provider’s rate, the provider may require you to pay the difference,” the application says.

The new program is part of a $250 million plan Murphy announced last month to help families find childcare so they don’t have to skip going to work while their kids are home due to the COVID-19 crisis.

The other parts of the plan include grant programs for New Jersey child care providers to help keep them open and pay for increased costs and personal protective equipment during the pandemic.

Nearly 700 New Jersey school districts started the new year with students spending either every day or part of every week remote learning at home, usually with online assignments and Zoom or other online video meetings, state Department of Education officials said. That left many parents scrambling to find ways to work while still supervising their children’s studies at home.

Some schools have also gone remote on short notice after teachers or students tested positive for COVID-19.

Some childcare centers, YMCAs, Jewish Community Centers and other providers have expanded their offerings to help look after students who are remote learning during the school day. Parents can check with their county’s child care resource and referral agencies for help finding childcare.

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Kelly Heyboer may be reached at kheyboer@njadvancemedia.com.