Ayotte signs bill to give retired grandparents access to state childcare scholarship

On Friday, New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed Senate Bill 608 into law, which allows retirees taking care of children to access the state’s childcare assistance program. 

For eligible families, the NH Child Care Scholarship Program provides funds for childcare through direct payments to daycare and out–of–school time providers for children up to 13 years old, and through 17 for a child with disabilities. 

SB 608 removes the work requirement for kinship caregivers who are retired and at federal retirement age. Previously, parents and guardians were required to be working, looking for work, in a training program, or in school. Families still have to meet state income eligibility requirements, which require them to make 85% or less of the state median income to qualify. 

The law also requires the state to ask the federal government if family care support services are “an allowable service” under the Acquired Brain Disorder, Choices for Independence, and Community-Based Service waiver programs.