Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to receive a salary supplement?
Any early care and education professional working in a licensed child care program or registered home earning at or below the income cap may be eligible to participate. The supplement recipient must work with children ages birth to five at least 20 hours per week. The recipient must also have a level of education that appears on the Child Care WAGE$® IOWA supplement scale.
How much will I receive?
Salary supplement amounts are tied to the recipient’s level of education. Awards are issued in two six-month payments. The amount received will reflect the schedule worked during the six-month period; supplements for part-time employees are adjusted based on a 40-hour work week.
What do I have to do to participate in Child Care WAGE$® IOWA?
Complete an application and provide proof of (1) current employment in a participating program, (2) current wages, and (3) education earned via an official transcript
How can I increase the level of the supplement I receive?
WAGE$ participants can increase their supplement amounts by gaining more education. The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Program offers scholarships to child care professionals who want to earn course credits toward specific early childhood credentials or degrees. Contact T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® IOWA (515-331-8000 or teach@iowaaeyc.org) for more information. Participants are encouraged to send WAGE$ an updated official transcript after the completion of any formal coursework so staff can determine the highest possible award.
Do I have to pay taxes on the supplement I receive?
Yes, because the salary supplement is income. Participants will receive an IRS-1099 form at the end of the year if they received $600 or more from Iowa AEYC during the calendar year. Recipients are responsible for reporting and paying personal income taxes due.
Will I receive a supplement if I move to another early care and education program?
Checks are sent to participants after each six-month period in the same program. If a participant moves to another eligible program within the six months, no check will be sent to the participant until they have been at the new program for six months consecutively and completed a new WAGE$ application from the new site.
