Subsidy NIGHTMARE

[daycarediva]

So I accepted a subsidized client (over a self pay) but an overall MUCH better fit. Moms job was downsized and she is making much less than before, she is actively bettering herself, attends college, goes on numerous interviews every week. Child attends FT.

She started care early February. I have yet to be paid from the state. Her parent fee portion is only $10/week, she pays it in advance for the month, and has paid for sick days for her child (at full rate) and my paid day off (at full rate). I filled out all of the forms from the state, have time cards filled in and always mailed promptly, kept copies of everything, and Mom photocopies her paystubs, and her hours listed and signed by her boss, and gives it to me every Friday AM so that I can mail that when I mail my time cards. I have a statement from the state that she is eligible, and the days/hours listed.

Two weeks after I mailed the first bill, I called her case worker. She never returned my call. I called the same time and spoke to someone at the front desk, who spoke to me horribly, and said "Don't you worry, you'll get your money. We have 30 days to process your claim and mail you a check."

30 days came and went. I left a call AGAIN for the caseworker. Never returned it, of course.

Today is 6 WEEKS of non payment. I called her caseworker and left another message. I called the front desk, and they won't even answer my questions, just transfer me to the caseworkers voicemail.

She is a DREAM child and a DREAM client. But at this point.... I can't work for free. This is 1/8th of my income.

What would you do here? I obviously have to term, since I can't work for free and could be filling this space with a paying client. I've seen the paystubs, and I KNOW Mom can't afford even a 1/2 rate.

[TwinKristi]

Is there a regional office or headquarters/corporate office you could call? Is it through the county or state or a private place? Is there ANYONE else you can call to find out? Ours has an office locally that handles signs ups, local provider issues, accepts copays, paperwork, etc. but has a main office in the city that does the checks and such for multiple sites. Know what I mean? I would give it this month (only a couple wks left) to take care of this and then explain you have to term. Maybe have HER call someone? I have heard of these issues but it's usually due to lack of something with the parents. I've used one group for subsidies and never had a problem with it. Ever! I know it's not always like that though.

[daycarediva]

It is through social services, child care unit. I call the main line, and they direct me to the (rude) secretary at the child care unit. There is just the secretary and a few caseworkers that handle all subsidized payments for the county.

I'm super frustrated, because I LOVE the kid/Mom. The hours are great perfect, even though she has to PAY me to keep her child home, she does. Has followed all policies to the T, she is a coupon-er and brings in things she knows I will need (tissues, wipes, glue sticks, etc). Dcg is a DOLL and fit right in from day 1, zero 'transition'. She is on the same page as far as parenting goes and dcg has zero behavioral issues.

The state is screwing this up for me!

[TwinKristi]

What about a supervisor? Someone HAS TO be above them
Someone else had to be issuing payment. Is there a number for the main social services dept and you can call another dept and explain your lack of returned phone calls or payment? I would hate to term the perfect fit over someone else's mistake. Plus that money is yours if they leave or stay. You need to be paid that money.

[Blackcat31]

I require state paid clients to pay me upfront until the state kicks in.

I know you said that DCM can't afford that but neither can you...kwim?

So YOU end up providing care for free while she still goes to work etc...

DCM can find the money to pay you. Tax returns, personal loan, family friends, etc. She could even start a payment plan where she is at least paying you a portion of the fees until the state kicks in.

When the state kicks in, I reimburse the parent.

I refuse to take a loss/risk due to a PARENTS situation.

YOU are NOT receiving subsidy. The DCM is. SHE can figure out what to do until the state starts paying you.

SHE needs to be the one who calls the state/caseworker and SHE needs to be the one feeling like she is stuck between a rock and a hard place because SHE is....YOU aren't.

[MyAngels]

I feel your pain. I just got paid for December for my one and only state pay child. I started in January calling and calling, up the chain of command, but it never really did me any good. They paid when they paid. Fortunately they paid January and February at the same time. Of course, it's the State of Illinois so nothing surprises me with the system any more.

The only thing I ever said that actually got me a phone call returned quickly was when I told a supervisor that I would hate to force a good family to pay out of pocket for their underling's ineptitude. My inner witch was full on that day ::

Maybe you could start having the mom pay at least something toward the arrearage while paying for current time. She could look to relatives for help if she needs it. That's what my family offered to do, but fortunately I was able to wait it out.

[Heidi]

I am not sure what state your in, but if it were here, I'd say call and ask for a supervisor.

A name...you need a name first. Do you have any contacts there? Someone not directly related to that job who will cough up a supervisor name?

Then, you call that supervisor. When you call the front desk, be super-professional. "Hi, this is DCD from xyz childcare, I'd like to speak to Miss Supervisor, please". firm, like you are a wall street banker tone.

Then, it's time to turn on the charm. "Hi, Miss Supervisor, this is dcd from xyz childcare. I have a problem I was hoping you could help me with" explain situation, but make it clear you are not asking them to give you info on mom...just on whether YOU'VE done everything you should.

Now, if it's a man supervisor, I'd have no compunctions about using my slightly sexy voice.... Whatever it takes...

We are lucky here in WI for one reason: The state lets us bill everything online, and they pay every two weeks, right as rain. I can see authorizations the day they are put in the system, thankfully.

[Cradle2crayons]

I get my state subsidy check on the 15th of the month for the previous month of care.

For example, on the 15th of March I get the money for February.

So I guess you could say 6 weeks from the first of the previous month but the pay is for one month at a time.

So to me, this sounds normal?? Although the rude secretary should be able to at least tell you if your paperwork was processed for payment or not.

[daycarediva]

I get my state subsidy check on the 15th of the month for the previous month of care.

For example, on the 15th of March I get the money for February.

So I guess you could say 6 weeks from the first of the previous month but the pay is for one month at a time.

So to me, this sounds normal?? Although the rude secretary should be able to at least tell you if your paperwork was processed for payment or not.

This is what I was told as well from another provider. Only issue is, I billed for all of Feb and should have received payment last week. No payment was made.

BC, you're right. I am going to email dcm today and tell her what is going on. She can either pull (which would stink because I like them) or make a payment arrangement until I am paid.

[Cradle2crayons]

This is what I was told as well from another provider. Only issue is, I billed for all of Feb and should have received payment last week. No payment was made.

BC, you're right. I am going to email dcm today and tell her what is going on. She can either pull (which would stink because I like them) or make a payment arrangement until I am paid.

Is it a check or direct deposit??

[TwinKristi]

This is what I was told as well from another provider. Only issue is, I billed for all of Feb and should have received payment last week. No payment was made.

BC, you're right. I am going to email dcm today and tell her what is going on. She can either pull (which would stink because I like them) or make a payment arrangement until I am paid.

Well technically the payment is only 2 days late. The 15th was a Sat and today is Wed so if it's not here by the end of the week I would start hitting up mom. If she's single and low income she probably got a pretty sizable refund for her taxes so maybe she has something that could help.

[Mom of 4]

I was required to submit my paperwork by 5th each month following care, and it was 6 weeks from that time frame to get my reimbursements.

I didn't KNOW that at first, because they don't tell you these things but I found out after the first set of parents I had on subsidy. It was my very first client so I wasn't really hurting at that point, for income.

I would definitely try to make someone understand the urgency of this situation. Sorry you are dealing with this nightmare

[Cradle2crayons]

Well technically the payment is only 2 days late. The 15th was a Sat and today is Wed so if it's not here by the end of the week I would start hitting up mom. If she's single and low income she probably got a pretty sizable refund for her taxes so maybe she has something that could help.

I submit mine online between the first and fifth and he check is in my hand ten days later.

I agree... Talk with mom

[coolconfidentme]

WOW! I feel very blessed in our program. A client swipes a POS card in/out that I can view online. I get a direct deposit every two weeks & it run the month prior. A child only has to be here 25 hours to be considered full time too!

[daycarediva]

I feel your pain. I just got paid for December for my one and only state pay child. I started in January calling and calling, up the chain of command, but it never really did me any good. They paid when they paid. Fortunately they paid January and February at the same time. Of course, it's the State of Illinois so nothing surprises me with the system any more.

The only thing I ever said that actually got me a phone call returned quickly was when I told a supervisor that I would hate to force a good family to pay out of pocket for their underling's ineptitude. My inner witch was full on that day ::

Maybe you could start having the mom pay at least something toward the arrearage while paying for current time. She could look to relatives for help if she needs it. That's what my family offered to do, but fortunately I was able to wait it out.

from DECEMBER? EEK! I can wait it out, I just don't think I should HAVE to. I provided a service, and should be paid for it. Even if it was 30 days (the state never told me that either) they are late. Kwim?