Whether you're a licensed or unlicensed caregiver, you may be eligible for reimbursement from DCYF for certain approved costs. Learn what’s covered and how to apply.
Mileage or transportation costs
As a caregiver, you may have to drive your child or yourself to activities or appointments. DYCF will pay you back for gas mileage or transportation costs for approved activities.
Approved activities
- Family time visits with parents or siblings
- School or extracurricular activities
- Court hearings and court-ordered activities
- Medical, dental, counseling, or WIC appointments
- Attendance at meetings at the request of DCYF staff
- Some DCYF-approved caregiver trainings
- Participation in recreational activities, practices, or lessons
- Respite care, for mileage more than 10 miles each way
- Child care, for mileage more than the caregiver's regular commute to work
If you're unsure whether an activity is approved, ask your child's caseworker.
If an approved appointment or activity is longer than 3 hours, DCYF will reimburse you to drop them off and pick them up later.
How to apply
Complete the Caregiver Monthly Transportation Reimbursement form in the language of your choice. When you’ve completed the form, submit it to your child's caseworker.
Property damage and emergency medical care
DYCF provides limited reimbursement for property damage and emergency medical care caused by a child. In some cases DCYF covers the result of your actions.
Covered costs
- Property damage and loss up to $5,000.00
- Emergency medical treatment up to $1,000.00
- Emergency veterinary expenses up to $500.00
- Third party property damage, loss, emergency medical treatment, or legal fees up to $25,000.00
Not covered
- Costs covered under a public or private insurance policy (homeowner, medical, dental)
- Costs involving a car, truck, or motorcycle
- Costs without supporting documentation (receipts or photos)
- Costs resulting from illegal activity, poor supervision, or intentional acts or omissions
How to apply
Complete the appropriate form.
For damage to your property or emergency medical care for a household member: Caregiver reimbursement claim form
For damage to someone else’s property or emergency medical care for someone outside your household: Caregiver third party liability form
- Collect supporting documentation. You’ll need support your application with documentation, including:
- Private insurance information, if applicable
- Receipts, photos, and any other materials that support your claim
Submit your application and supporting documentation to your assigned DCYF caseworker.
After you submit, cooperate with any new requests from your caseworker.
Appeal options
If your claim is denied, you have 2 options:
- Ask for an exception to the program rule that led to your denial.
- Ask for a reconsideration and include new documentation or information to support your request.
We will review your appeal and make a decision. Appeal decisions are final.
Questions
For general questions, contact your child’s caseworker.
For questions about a specific claim, contact DCYF Caregiver Claims: dcyf.caregiverclaims@dcyf.wa.gov.
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