Senator Brouk and Assemblymember Sarah Clark Applaud Governor Hochul for Signing Presumptive Eligibility Bill

ROCHESTER, NY - Senator Samra Brouk (SD-55) and Assemblymember Sarah Clark (AD-136) have announced that Governor Kathy Hochul has signed Senate Bill S4667A and Assembly Bill A4099A into law. 

Families will no longer be waiting on administrative red tape for the assistance they not only qualify for, but need. The bill will utilize a presumptive eligibility standard for child care assistance, and help eliminate administrative burdens and delay in families receiving care. This will allow families to get immediate access to childcare by removing unnecessary waiting periods after a child is born, making a more fair system for all. 

This legislation will allow counties to deem families preemptively eligible for childcare assistance. Counties can adopt these presumptive eligibility standards while drawing federal child care block grant funds. In doing so, there will be less financial burden on localities that adopt these standards. The bill enables counties to immediately render assistance to families while they wait for their eligibility determination. Families can access child care services as the agency administering the subsidy program verifies the parent’s eligibility for the program. The period of presumptive and preliminary eligibility can run from the date of the application to the date of the final eligibility determination. 

Senator Samra Brouk, State Senator 55th District: “I am grateful to Governor Hochul for signing my bill, S4667A. Every family needs financial stability– this legislation removes unnecessary waiting periods by allowing counties to deem families eligible for childcare assistance, ensuring that parents can participate fully in the workforce. Now, thousands of New York’s working families will have access to the high quality childcare they deserve, closing the gap between need and access for our most vulnerable community members.”

Assemblymember Sarah Clark, Assemblymember 136th District: “Ensuring all families have access to child care assistance is essential to a thriving economy. Allowing families who have met a presumptive eligibility standard to receive temporary childcare subsidies is essential when starting a new job or higher education opportunity. Parents shouldn’t have to pay out-of-pocket or scramble to cover childcare needs while paperwork is processed. I am grateful for Governor Hochul’s partnership and commitment to removing accessibility barriers and reducing wait times for families who qualify for assistance.”

"We are pleased that Governor Hochul signed the Presumptive Eligibility bill and thank Senator Brouk and Assemblymember Clark for their tireless efforts to pass this legislation," said Pete Nabozny, Director of Policy at The Children's Agenda. “Families who have their Child Care Assistance Program application materials in order should be able to receive care right away. Parents shouldn't have to scramble to arrange care during those first days and weeks on a job, simply because they're waiting for their paperwork to be processed. We look forward to working with the Office of Children and Family Services to implement this legislation and urge counties across New York State to adopt the presumptive eligibility standard as soon as it becomes available to them."

“Passing presumptive eligibility is a win for parents, child care programs and children!  This new law will allow families quicker access to child care assistance while waiting for application processing to be completed so parents do not lose job opportunities, and children experience more continuity of care. It will also save child care programs from having to keep child care spots unfilled, at significant cost, or turn families away because they cannot afford to wait,” said Dede Hill, Policy Director for the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy and a leader of the Empire State Campaign for Child Care. “This win would not have happened without Senator Brouk’s determined leadership, for which we are so grateful. Presumptive eligibility represents one more  step on the path to achieving universal child care in New York State.”