Child care fees to climb for some - Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Army Times

Child care fees to climb for some

Military couples with combined annual incomes greater than $85,000 will see substantial fee increases at child development centers under a new fee structure announced July 30 by the Defense Department.

In some cases, fee hikes could be more than $30 a week.

Exactly when the fee hikes will take effect is not clear. The Defense Department policy leaves it to local military communities to decide when to make the changes. The only thing that is certain is that the new rates will be implemented no later than Sept. 30, and should remain in effect for a year.

Actual charges also vary from place to place, with the Defense Department merely setting ranges of fees by income level and letting local commanders decide on the specific rates.

Increases result from the addition of three new categories for the family income-based fees that currently treat everyone making $70,000 or more a year the same. With the change, there will be nine rate categories rather than the current six, and the top category will apply to those with family incomes of $125,000 and higher.

As a result of the changes, those with family incomes of $73,500 or less could end up paying less. Currently, fees for people making $70,001 or more range from $107 to $126 a week. With the change, fees for those making between $57,751 and $73,500 would pay $106 to $121 a week.

The top fee would range between $137 to $139 a week under the new fee schedule.