Wage Supplement Program (WSP)

About the Wage Supplement Program

Eligible early childhood teachers and teacher assistants working in licensed, funded programs can get a one-time payment of $2,800. 

Payments are limited and first-come, first served. The program will close June 30, 2025 or when funds run out, whichever comes first.

Who can apply

To get this funding, you need to meet all 4 requirements:

1. Have a current account in the OEC Early Childhood Professional Registry

2. Work in an OEC-licensed family child care home, child care center or group home that receives any of the following OEC funding:

• School Readiness
• Child Day Care contract
• State Head Start supplement

3. As reported in the OEC Registry under Building / Managing Staff, work as a teacher or assistant teacher either

• In a designated classroom at least 50% of their hours or
• As a classroom floater 100% of their hours

4. Have confirmed employment in your program for 6 or more months

Also, if you’re a family child care owner, make sure you are assigned as the Teacher.

How to apply

Step 1. Log into your OEC Registry account, beginning 8 a.m. on April 1, 2025

• Make sure to use a computer (desktop or laptop) or a tablet using the full web version. This application is not available on the mobile version.

Step 2. Select My Incentives

Step 3. Select Wage Supplement Program and follow the prompts 

All eligibility data is determined by information from your program in the Registry. You will legally attest that all of the information is correct. Do not apply if anything is incorrect. 

What if I don’t see the Wage Supplement Program as an option?

If you work in an eligible program and don’t see this option, you may not have confirmed employment in the system. Check your employment section in your account to be sure:

• Your correct employer is listed 
• Your employment has been confirmed by your program’s administrative access user

If you’re not sure, ask your supervisor. You can also contact your Registry’s county lead if you need help.

Awards

We will send you an email with our decision (using the email address you use for your Registry login). Expect to hear a decision within 10 business days, depending on how many applications we receive.

How much funding will I receive?

Each awardee will receive $2,800.

Am I eligible if I work part time?

Yes, the legislation awards the same amount for all teaching staff members.

If I work at 2 programs, can I get two awards?

No, this is a one-time award per eligible person.

Am I eligible if I am an administrator of my program but have to fill in when needed in classrooms?

You may be eligible if you work as a teacher or assistant teacher in a single designated classroom at least 50% of your hours. Floaters are only eligible if they work as a teacher or assistant teacher assigned as a classroom floater 100% of their hours. If you float to cover classrooms sometimes, you are not eligible for this award.

Payment

How will I get paid?

You’ll be paid by direct deposit into the account you choose when you apply. You won’t be charged any fees for this service by our vendor. Note that we aren’t issuing paper checks.

Once your application has been approved, you will receive an email from Payments@OECRegistry.org. For verification, you can check that the amount noted in the email matches the incentive amount in the Registry.

The email will have a link that says, “Click here to accept your payment.” Once you click, you’ll be prompted for your bank’s routing number and your account number. The funds will automatically be deposited in your account within 10 business days.

What if I don’t have a bank account?

If you don’t have a bank account, contact the Women’s Business Development Council for assistance at 203-751-9550 ext. 113 or childcarebusiness@ctwbdc.org. They can help you set one up — and they offer personal financial health support to OEC licensed programs and staff for free!

You can have the payment deposited into someone else’s account (like a friend or family member’s) but you’ll need to take safeguards to be sure the award goes to you. Please protect your hard-earned incentive!

What if I only use a check cashing and bill paying service?

The use of check cashing and bill paying services costs you hard earned money with each transaction, so we encourage you to avoid these. If you need help, please contact Women’s Business Development Council for assistance at 203-751-9550 ext. 113.

How can I use the money?

You can use the money just as you would use your paycheck. You don’t have to report the way you use it. 

Do I have to pay taxes on this money?

Yes, it’s taxable income. You’ll receive the appropriate form for filing your taxes. If you want help planning for taxes, please contact the Women’s Business Development Council for assistance at 203-751-9550 ext. 113 or childcarebusiness@ctwbdc.org.

Why do I have to provide a SSN or ITIN?

The OEC Registry began requiring the SSN/ITIN to link to the Background Check Information System (BCIS) and to have the one true unique identifier across systems (see the Registry’s Privacy Policy). You must have an SSN or ITIN and submit them as part of the application because these funds are taxable income. You’ll receive the proper tax form to use in filing your taxes by January 31 of the next year.

What if my SSN or ITIN is wrong?

If your SSN/ITIN or any other information in your application is incorrect, please contact your county’s lead Registry staffer. Do not apply until all information is correct.

Will my SSN/ITIN information be secure?

We take data security very seriously. Your SSN or ITIN and your bank account information are encrypted once you enter them in the Registry and data is transferred securely. We’ve also updated our login security and password protection. Please also see the Registry’s Privacy Policy for more details.