Those families then qualify for California's generous welfare plans, he said.

That means a family of four earning $73,120 or less would qualify.

What happens if a family does not qualify and a child has some serious medical problem?

Some families qualify for a complete subsidy, others pay $25 a child a year, with a family cap of $100.

A family with a combined household income of $42,000 would qualify.

Officials estimate that 1,200,000 families will qualify for the lower rate.

A family of three qualifies for the program if its annual income is below $19,476.

Many families headed by such women are poor and qualify for welfare.

In general, a family of four earning $22,800 a year or less would not qualify for a credit.

A family of five would qualify with income below $56,400.