Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Giral bill to help low-income families afford child care included in Pa. budget

Giral bill to help low-income families afford child care included in Pa. budget

HARRISBURG, Nov. 12 – Legislation created by state Rep. Jose Giral, D-Philadelphia, will continue to help low-income families access subsidized child care after today’s passage of the 2025-26 Pennsylvania budget.

The legislation was introduced by Giral and state Rep. Eric Nelson, R-Westmoreland to ensure that families can continue within the state subsidized child care program if their income increases just above the cut-off. It uses existing dollars and a percent-of-income scale to account for families earning more income due to raises, promotions or other wage increases, but still not enough to afford child care without the program. It was included in today’s passage of the 2025-26 state budget.

To help working families keep working, copayment limits are set at 3% to 7% of a family’s annual income if they are at or below 235% of the federal poverty income guidelines, and 7% to 12% if it is between 235% and 300% of the guidelines. Within the new budget bill, these limits remain the same.

“I know that it’s difficult for families to work their way out of poverty. This program allows them to rely on the subsidized child care program while they work their way up and supports their ambitions to earn and achieve more,” Giral said. “I’m proud to see it included in the compromise budget we passed today so that families can continue to benefit from it.”

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