Main Line: 607.433.8000
Emergency Housing (24-Hour Hotline): 607.433.8318
Violence Intervention Program (24-Hour Hotline): 607.432.4855
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3 West Broadway, Oneonta NY 13820
Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
Head Start Updates Eligibility Criteria
12.13.2024 - Oneonta, NY
The National Office of Head Start has authorized local programs to consider housing costs in determining eligibility for Head Start preschool and homebased services. Families paying more than 30% of their annual gross income on housing-related expenses may be deemed income eligible after an “excessive housing adjustment”.
The excessive housing adjustment considers total annual housing costs, including rent or mortgage payments; school and property tax; utilities (e.g. electricity, gas, water, sewer, and trash); insurance; and interest. Housing costs over 30% are deducted from the family gross income to calculate income eligibility for Head Start and Early Head Start.
Additionally, Social Security benefits, veteran’s benefits, and alimony are no longer considered in calculating household gross income. This change will open opportunities for prenatal mothers, young children, and families who were otherwise excluded from Head Start and Early Head Start programs.
To qualify for Head Start, families must be pregnant or have a child under five years of age and meet one of the following eligibility criteria:
- Household annual gross income up to 130% of Federal Poverty Level after any adjustments
- Family is receiving or eligible for TANF, SSI or SNAP benefits
- Child is experiencing homelessness
- Child is in foster care
To start an application online or reach out at 607.433.8055 or hfay@ofoinc.org.
This website is supported by Grant Number C1002760 from the Office of Community Services and Grant Number 02CH013070 from the Office of Head Start both within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration or Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of Opportunities for Otsego, Inc. and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families, the Office of Community Services, and the Office of Head Start.
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Main Line:
607.433.8000 (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm)
Emergency Housing:
607.433.8318 (24-Hour Hotline)
Violence Intervention Program:
607.432.4855 (24-Hour Hotline)
Location: 3 West Broadway, Oneonta NY 13820
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