Which children are eligible for counting child care expenses?

The eligibility criteria for counting childcare expenses specifically include children under the age of 13 and foster children. This is important within the context of the Housing Choice Voucher program, as parents can use these expenses to reduce their total countable income, ultimately affecting their rent calculation and assistance.

The reasoning behind allowing expenses for children under the age of 13 is that childcare is typically a necessity for working parents or guardians of young children, enabling them to maintain employment or pursue educational opportunities. Additionally, foster children are included in this calculation, recognizing the caregiving responsibilities that foster parents undertake. Therefore, the inclusion of both categories ensures that the program acknowledges and supports the financial responsibilities of these households.

Children under the age of 18 are not universally counted; thus, options that suggest children under 18 (but not specifically under 13) do not align with program guidance. Similarly, while some may assume teenagers who may require childcare could be included, the program has set a clear age limit that focuses on younger children and those in foster care, which is why options suggesting broader age ranges do not fit the criteria.