FORT WORTH (1080 KRLD) - More financial assistance for child care is available in Tarrant County.
The Texas Workforce Commission has authorized an additional $2.5 million for Tarrant County that will be available to essential service workers for child care while they're at work.
To qualify, the applicant must be a resident of Tarrant County and must have an income of no more than 150% of the poverty line.
"It's a significant increase in what we normally do for our population that receives childcare subsidies," says Nicole Allen with the Texas Workforce Commission.
The applicant must also be working in a job that has been deemed essential by Tarrant County.
"It's to hone in on those workers that need the immediate support," says Allen, "and then of course every workforce board, based on the need of their individual area, will be able to allow other people from the outside industries to tap into the subsidies."
Along with the essential workers, the program is helping out child care facilities as well.
"It's helping them with their additional supports that they need to keep their doors open because they are, too, essential workers," Allen says. "It's a really good opportunity for us to thank them for the work that they do and the sacrifices that they are making, for keeping their doors open for our community."
The program is a statewide program that's administered by the counties, so folks who live elsewhere can apply for subsidies in the counties where they live.
You can view all the requirements and download the application here. (LINK: https://tarrantcountyccms.org/covid19-essential-workers/)