Child Care With Schools Closed: What Parents In PA Should Know
PENNSYLVANIA — With staffing shortages, lag times in testing results, and the ongoing presence of coronavirus across Pennsylvania, many school districts have opted for a fully virtual start to the 2020-21 school year, presenting a host of issues for parents who are looking to return to work.
In recognition of this common child care plight now faced by many Pennsylvanians as the school year begins, the state is moving to make a range of benefits available for families.
To begin, the Families First Coronavirus Reponse Act offers 12 weeks paid leave to partial pay for parents employed in certain positions. To determine specific eligibility, see here.
There are also direct unemployment benefits available specifically to parents who've lost their job or income due to child care needs, through the widely known Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program.
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Parents are eligible for benefits even if a school district is using a hybrid model of learning. If some or all of the child's school work must be completed online, the school (or daycare or other "place of care") is considered closed.
The situation gets trickier for school districts which have given families the option of full in-person or virtual instruction. In this case, the school is considered open, and benefits are not available. However, if a child has an underlying medical condition which could place them at heightened risk, they can apply for an exception.
It is further complicated in the case of families which are entirely working and attending school from home. Some parents will struggle to provide adequate child care if they have to work from home while children are home. In certain cases, benefits can still apply here; the child would likely need to be younger and less mature and unable to care for him or herself for most of the day.
These benefits can only apply to months in which a school or daycare is closed due to coronavirus. They are not available for times when school is typically closed, like the summer months.
Additionally, many school districts are offering expanded child care options through community partners. Contact your local school district to learn more.
For more details on what is covered and what is not, the Pennsylvania Office of Unemployment Compensation has put together a comprehensive frequently asked questions section on the website.
This article originally appeared on the Norristown Patch
