Portable Child Care Benefits at MIT

The Institute's Portable Child Care Supplement may be used to reimburse costs associated with child care for infants and children under age 13, including day care, emergency care, nannies and day camps. Reimbursements can be made for Massachusetts-licensed caregivers only. 

Eligibility for the supplement is based on household income and the number of children under the age of 13. In addition, eligibility depends on the spouse/partner working at least 20 hours outside the home, being a full-time student, or having a disability. Supplements to eligible postdocs may range from $3,000-$10,000 per year, depending on income and family size. There are similar but separate programs for Postdoctoral Associates and Postdoctoral Fellows. Please apply to the relevant program according to your primary appointment title. 

The application deadline for the 2023 portable child care supplement has passed. Enrollment for the 2024 benefit will open in October-November 2023.

Postdoctoral Associates – PCCS Program

Only apply to this program if your primary MIT title is Postdoctoral Associate. MIT Human Resources is administering the Portable Child Care Supplement program for employees (PCCS), including Postdoc Associates as part of Benefits Open Enrollment. More information about the PCCS, including eligibility and a benefit determination calculator can be found on HR’s PCCS page. For questions about the PCCS Program, contact MIT Benefits.

Postdoctoral Fellows – PCCS-PDF Program

Only apply to this program if your primary MIT title is Postdoctoral Fellow. The Office of the Vice President for Research is administering the Portable Child Care Supplement Program for Postdoctoral Fellows (PCCS-PDF). Although the application and reimbursement process are separate from the employee program, the eligibility and benefits determination follow the same requirements, and may be reviewed on HR’s PCCS page. For questions about the PCCS-PDF Program contact MIT Postdoctoral Services [email].