Child and Family Care Benefits

DC 37 negotiated a contribution for city workers to a newly created Child Care Trust Fund in the 2021-2026 economic agreement. Effective Oct. 1, 2025, the Fund provides the following reimbursement benefits for eligible child care costs to parents who are covered by the agreement:

• Licensed Care in a daycare center, group family daycare center, or summer day camp – up to $500 per covered parent/legal guardian per year
• Informal Care from a relative or neighbor- up to $250 per covered parent/legal guardian per year

Claims must be submitted to the Fund no later than one year from the date of service. Only expenses that occur after Oct. 1, 2025 will be reimbursed.

Who is eligible for the benefit?

Parents or legal guardians who are covered by the 2021-2026 Economic Agreement, including Mayoral Agencies, NYC Department of Education, NYC Health + Hospitals, NYC Housing Authority, cultural institutions, New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library, Queens Public Library, District Attorney’s Offices, Community Boards, Comptroller’s Office, NYCERS, BERS, TRS, Police and Fire Pensions.

Parents and caregivers who are using a Licensed Provider are eligible for up to $500 per member per year in reimbursement. Parents and caregivers who are using an Informal Provider are eligible for up to $250 per member per year in reimbursement.

If two eligible beneficiaries are married or in one household, each person can apply for reimbursement for the same child, but for different dates. There is no income limit, no additional benefit for additional children and no difference between part time and full time employees.

Exclusions: Employees in the Metropolitan Transit Authority, School Construction Authority, State Courts, State Rent Unit, Prevailing Rates, EMS, and non-profit/private sector division are not eligible for the reimbursement benefit.

Apply for reimbursement

Download the appropriate application and email the completed form to childcareinfo@dc37.net or mail it to:

DC 37 Child Care Fund
125 Barclay Street, Room 716
New York, NY 10007

• Licensed Care in a daycare center, group family daycare center, or summer day camp.
• Informal Care from a relative or neighbor. This affidavit requires notarization.

Once eligibility is confirmed and application is processed, a reimbursement check will be mailed to the covered employee within 14 working days.

Questions? Call the Child Care Trust at (212) 815-1100.

Working families no longer have to choose between caring for their loved ones and risking their economic security. Paid Family Leave (PFL) is a New York State policy that grants up to 12 weeks of protected job leave, intermittently or consecutively, for workers to care for their families. During this time, eligible workers can receive up to 67% of their paycheck while caring for a spouse, domestic partner, child or stepchild, parent or stepparent, parent-in-law, grandparent, grandchild, or sibling.

Who is eligible for the benefit?

Most full-time workers are eligible for PFL after 26 consecutive weeks of employment and most part-time workers receive the benefit after 175 days.

Public Sector Workers: Apply for Paid Family Leave

1. Inform your human resources department at least 30 days before you want to take leave, if possible. Otherwise, tell them as soon as possible.
2. Download and fill out a claim form based on your agency’s instructions. You can also ask for a claim form from your human resources department.
   • Mayoral Agencies and NYCHA
   • Health + Hospitals
   • Dept. of Education (apply through SOLAS portal)
   • Culturals and Libraries
3. Gather supporting documentation for your claim. Each claim form tells you what documents you’ll need.
4. Submit your claim form and documents to your employer’s human resources department or as directed by your employer.
5. In most cases, your employer’s insurance carrier must pay or deny your claim within 18 days of receiving your completed claim.

Non-profit/Private Sector Workers: Apply for Paid Family Leave

1. Inform your human resources department at least 30 days before you want to take leave, if possible. Otherwise, tell them as soon as possible.
2. Download and fill out a claim form based on your employer’s instructions. You can also ask for a claim form from your employer.
3. Gather supporting documentation for your claim. Each claim form tells you what documents you’ll need.
4. Submit your claim form and documents as directed by your employer.
5. In most cases, your employer’s insurance carrier must pay or deny your claim within 18 days of receiving your completed claim.

Questions? Call the Paid Family Leave Helpline at (844) 337-6303.

DC 37 members in the public, private, and non-profit sectors may be eligible for a subsidized child care program for working families. The New York Union Child Care Coalition, a committee of the New York City Central Labor Council, developed the Child Care Facilitated Enrollment Project to increase access to child care subsidies and quality care in New York City for children up to 13 years of age within qualifying incomes. Members must live and work in New York City and meet certain income restrictions.

Complete the Child Care Facilitated Enrollment Screening Form to be placed on the waitlist. If you are eligible, a staff person from the Consortium for Worker Education will get in touch with you.

Summer camps are a great child care option that engages children in healthy recreational activities during the months away from school.

• Young People’s Day Camp offers flexible sessions with locations in Staten Island, Long Island, and New Jersey.
• Oasis Day Camp offers camp sessions in Central Park and a discount for siblings.
• NYC Parks Summer Camps grant entry on a lottery system.

• Licensed child care providers in NYC: Search for private-pay child care with no income limits and no child support requirement.
• Apply for SNAP Benefits: If you are a parent of a child under age 18 and you have child care or afterschool expenses, or expenses for a disabled adult, you may be eligible for Food Stamps under recently revised income guidelines that allow for higher income levels than in previous years.
• State Health Plan Marketplace: Non-profit/Private sector members can review options for dependent health insurance coverage.