Apply for a Discount

Alabama Department of Human Resources

You may be eligible for services if you are making your home in Alabama and are employed and/or enrolled in school/training and making no more income than is allowable.

Income Criteria: https://dhr.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/CC-Fact-Sheet-1-22.pdf 

How to Apply:

There is an application available on the Department of Human Resources Website at https://dhr.alabama.gov/child-care/subsidy-overview/ 

The Department of Human Resources administers eligibility services of the Child Care Subsidy Program contractually through regional Child Care Management Agencies (CMAs).

These private and public non-profit agencies determine eligibility, provide resource and referral, administer the Department’s child care certificate program, authorize child care, register providers to accept child care subsidy payments, and validate provider billing statements.

To find your local Child Care Management Agency go to this link: https://dhr.alabama.gov/child-care/subsidy-overview/child-care-management-agencies/

Arizona Department of Economic Security

The DES Child Care Administration (CCA) offers child care assistance for:

• low-income families that are working
• teen parents enrolled in high school or GED classes
• homeless or domestic violence shelter residents
• individuals who are unable to work due to physical or emotional conditions

Application Process:

Submit the following required documents (as applicable) to your local office:

• A completed Application for Child Care Assistance or referral from Maximus or the Arizona Department of Child Safety
• Arizona ID or Legal Permanent Resident card
• Most recent paycheck or, if newly hired, an Employment and Wage Verification Statement
• Self-employment records and budget logs, or current year self-employment tax return
• Proof of school attendance for teen parent
• Proof of shelter residency and Verification of Shelter Case Plan
• If unable to work due to medical, court-ordered community services or drug treatment, submit a completed Unable/Unavailable Status form
• Proof of unearned income, such as Social Security Income (SSI), Child Support, loans, etc.

Links for these documents can be located here: https://des.az.gov/services/child-and-family/child-care/how-apply-for-child-care-assistance

Find your local DES Child Care office to speak to a DES Eligibility Specialist for more information: https://des.az.gov/find-your-local-office

Colorado Department of Human Services

 

The Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) provides child care assistance to families who are working, searching for employment, or are in training, and families who are enrolled in the Colorado Works program and need child care services to support their efforts toward self-sufficiency.

The Colorado Child Care Assistance Program is administered through county departments of social/human services under the direction of the CDHS Division of Early Care and Learning. Counties have set income eligibility maximums for families, but must serve families with income of 185 percent or less of the federal poverty guideline (if funding allows), and will not serve families that have an income of over 85 percent of the state median income.

View the Family Income Guidelines for CCCAP eligibility. 

You may be eligible to participate in CCCAP if you:

• Reside in Colorado
• Are working, seeking employment, or are participating in training/education
• Have at least one child who is under 13 years old (or 19 years old if the child has special needs or a disability and requires child care)
• Have a family income of less than the defined maximum in your county of residence

Recipients with income are responsible to pay a portion of the cost of care.

Apply online at https://peak--coloradopeak.force.com/peak/s/peak-landing-page?language=en_US

 

Commonwealth of Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services

The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) provides support to help families pay for child care. The Division of Child Care is responsible for all child care provider support and The Division of Family Support helps clients apply for the program.

Eligibility for the Child Care Assistance Program

Applicants must meet eligibility requirements in 922 KAR 2:160.

You are eligible for CCAP if you meet the following conditions:

• Your child is a resident of Kentucky and either a U.S. citizen or qualified legal immigrant.
• Your child is under 13 years of age. There is an exception for children 13 to 19 years of age if your child has a disability.
• You fit one of the following scenarios:
  • you work an average of 20 hours per week as a single parent and your income is less than child care income limits.
  • you work an average of 40 hours per week as a couple and your income is less than child care income limits.
  • you are a teen parent attending high school or pursuing a GED
  • you currently participate in the SNAP Employment & Training program
  • you are an adult who is a full-time student at a certified trade school or accredited college or university
  • you participate in Kentucky Works activities
  • you need child care as a support for child protective/preventative services
  • you are looking for employment

An applicant can see if they are elgible by using the Prescreening Tool.

To apply online: Mykentucky.gov 

For more information visit: https://kynect.ky.gov/benefits/s/program-page?language=en_US&program=CC

Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care

The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) provides child care financial assistance for families in need. In order to be eligible for funding, you and your family must meet certain requirements. You may be placed on a waiting list if funding is not immediately available.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Income Requirement: To meet the income requirement, your household income must initially be at or below 50% of the state median income (SMI). If you or your child has a documented disability or special need, your household income must initially be at or below 85% of the SMI. Use the SMI Income Eligibility chart to see if your household income is within limits.
• Service Need Requirement: To meet the service need/activity requirement for child care financial assistance, all of the adult members in your household must be:
  • Working, seeking employment, or enrolled in an education or training program (not including graduate, law, or medical school) for at least 20 hours per week for part-time care and at least 30 hours per week for full-time care.
  • Retired and older than 65
  • You have a diagnosed and documented disability or special need.*

    *Disability/special need of parent is limited to two years.

 How to Apply:

If you are interested in applying for financial assistance, call Mass 211 or contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency. To locate your local office, visit: https://eeclead.force.com/EEC_CCRRSearch

If funding is available, you will receive a notice in the mail that asks you to schedule an appointment with your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency. At this appointment, you will complete an application and provide documents that verify your eligibility for child care financial assistance.

Maryland Division of Early Childhood CCS Central 

The Child Care Scholarship (CCS) (formerly known as Child Care Subsidy) Program provides financial assistance with child care costs to eligible working families in Maryland. The program is managed through a centralized vendor -- Child Care Subsidy Central (CCS Central).

To be eligible for the CCS Program, you must be:

• A Maryland resident who is working/employed, in an approved training program or attending school. For families where both parents live within the same household, both parents must meet all eligibility requirements.
• A recipient of Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or within CCS income guidelines (see below).
• Willing to have your child immunized to Maryland state standards or provide documentation supporting Exemption from Immunization.
• Pursuing child support, if both parents do not live within the same household composition.
• Willing to provide proof that each child needing child care is a citizen of the United States or a qualified alien. (Provide a Birth Certificate for each child or documentation that certifies the child's status.) NOTE: Parents ARE NOT required to be citizens of the United States.
• Willing to provide proof of identity for all members within the household composition. (Proof of identity for the parent can be any form of a government issued document. The birth certificate or immigration status documentation can serve as proof of identity for each child in the household composition.)
• Willing to provide a Photo I.D. (Only required of the head of households.)
• An individual who is younger than 13 years old who is not disabled, or an individual younger than 19 years old who is disabled.

To apply the following documents need to be submitted to CCS Central:

• The Child Care Scholarship (CCS) application (PDF)
• Verification of work/training activity and income
• To complete the application you MUST send in the information listed for all household members. This includes you, and your spouse or your child’s other parent living in your household.
• Most recent four (4) weeks of consecutive pay stubs
• Proof of identity (i.e. driver’s license, birth certificate, government issued identification, etc.)
• Proof of approved activity (i.e. work, school or job training)
• Proof of all other income
• Proof of child support cooperation or payment
• Proof of address (i.e. utility bill, lease, etc.)

For additional information please visit  https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org/child-care-providers/child-care-scholarship-program

State of New Jersey Department of Human Services Division of Family Development

The Child Care Subsidy Program can help lower-income families who are working, in training or in school, or a combination of these activities to pay a portion of their child care.

Applying for a Child Care Subsidy
As an applicant/parent seeking a child care subsidy, you will be required to provide proof of income, training/school hours and household size to help determine eligibility. All required documents must be submitted to be considered for a subsidy.

Applicant(s)/Parents Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a New Jersey resident
• Must meet income requirements and not have assets that exceed $1 million
• Must be working full time (30 hours or more a week), attending school full time (12 credits or more), or in job training (at least 20 hours a week)
• Depending on family size and income, may have to contribute to the cost of care (copay).

Child Eligibility Requirements

• Up to the age of 13, or less than age 19, if under the NJ Division of Child Protection and Permanency’s protective supervision or mentally or physically incapable of self-care
• Must be a US Citizen or qualified non-citizen
• Must reside with parent(s), or individual(s) acting as parent(s) (in loco parentis).

Completing and Submitting an Application
To get started, you must first complete, sign, and submit an application with the required documents to the Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency in your county. To locate your local office please visit:   https://www.childcarenj.gov/Parents/CCRR

To learn more about state subsidies call the Child Care Helpline at 1-800-332-9227, contact your county's CCR&R, or visit: https://www.childcarenj.gov/Parents/How-To-Apply.aspx

Oklahoma Human Services

AlphaBEST is working on becoming a DHS contracted provider for the school year. After the Licensing and Stars process has been completed, AlphaBEST will be able to contract with DHS to be an approved provider. If you select yes on this question we will reach out to you once AlphaBEST is an approved provider.

 

More information about the DHS Child Care Subsidy program can be found at

https://oklahoma.gov/okdhs/ services/adult/ccsubsidy/ child-care-subsidy.html 

 

The online application can be found at https://www.okdhslive.org/ 

Oregon Department of Human Services

Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) is a subsidy program. This means some families may still pay part of the child care cost. This is called a copayment (copay).

What ODHS pays:

• ODHS pays a portion of the child care bill, paid directly to the provider.
• There is a maximum amount ODHS will pay a child care provider.​​​ ​

What families pay:

• The copay amount depends on family size and income.​
• Families make a copay each month, paid directly to the provider.​
• Note: If the provider charges more than the maximum amount ODHS pays, families must cover the additional cost.

To ​get ERDC benefits:

• You must be an Oregon resident.
• You must be employed​. If you are employed and going to school, you may still qualify for child care assistance.
• In a two-parent family, both parents must be working. ​There may be exceptions if a non-working parent can't provide child care because of a medical or mental health condition, or if supervised contact is required by Child Welfare.
• When you first apply, your income can't be above 185% of the federal poverty level. See Income ​Limits at https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/ASSISTANCE/CHILD-CARE/Pages/Parents.aspx#income
• You must have a qualifying child or children.
  ​​Qualifying children are:
  • Under 13 years old who need care
  • 13 to 17 years old who need care because of special circumstances
  • U.S. citizens or qualifying non-citizens
• You must need child care to stay employed. For a two-parent family, this means both parents must have all or part of their work hours overlap.
• Your child care provider must be ​listed and ​approved​ by ODHS. ​

How t​o apply:

There are several ways to apply for child care assistance. After you apply, ​you will have an interview with an eligibility worker.

• Apply online. https://one.oregon.gov/
• Apply in person at a Local Office. During pandemic, please call before coming in. 
• Fill out a paper application.
  • Applications can be found at https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/ASSISTANCE/CHILD-CARE/Pages/Parents.aspx

For general questions: customerservice.dpu@dhsoha.state.or.us

State of Rhode Island Department of Human Services

The Starting RIght Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) program can subsidize the cost of child care for families that are residents of Rhode Island. CCAP is available for children who are US citizens or legal residents and under age 13. The age can be extended to 18 if the child has special needs.

Child Care Assistance (CCAP) is available to:

• Low-income families who meet income guidelines and are working a minimum of 20 hours per week at or above Rhode Island's minimum wage.
• Families participating in training, apprenticeship, internship, on-the-job training, work experience, work immersion sponsored by the Governor’s Workforce Board, who need child care in order to take part in these job readiness/training opportunities.
• Families participating in the Rhode Island Works program.
• Pregnant/Parenting Teens participating in DHS’ Youth Success program.
• Also available to families is Transitional Child Care: Allows families already participating in the CCAP program to remain eligible for the subsidy program if their income increases and does not exceed 225% of the federal poverty level.

Who is Eligible?

Families with incomes at or below 180 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) who meet the requirements for CCAP are eligible to receive full or partial payment for child care expenses when delivered by a CCAP-approved child care provider. There are two avenues for qualifying for payment of child care expenses through the CCAP:

• Categorical Eligibility: The Rhode Island TANF Program extends eligibility for the CCAP to Rhode Island Works Program (RIW) cash assistance recipients, including Youth Services (YS) Program participants, who meet the critieria for categorical eligibility.
• Income Eligibility: Working Rhode Island families, families where a parent(s) is participating in an approved education and training program, and YS participants who are not RIW cash recipients may be income eligible for the CCAP if they meet the criteria for income eligibility.

How do I know if I am eligible?
For a child to be eligible to participate in the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), the family applying for CCAP services shall meet the general requirements set forth as well as the specific requirements pertaining to either categorical or income eligibility. To be eligible for the CCAP the following requirements have been met:

•  CCAP 2021 Family Income & Co-Pay Charts: These can be found at https://dhs.ri.gov/programs-and-services/child-care/child-care-assistance-program-ccap-head-start/family-eligibility
• Age of applicant child(ren)
  • The child to receive CCAP services shall be over one (1) week old and below the age of thirteen (13) years unless:
    • The child is under age thirteen (13) and would be considered a dependent child for the purposes of Rhode Island Works (RIW) except for the receipt of Supplemental Security Income, or foster care services under Title IV-E. This rule applies only in those instances in which child care is necessary for a parent to accept or retain employment or to participate in a RIW approved education or training program.
    • The child is thirteen (13) up through eighteen (18) years old and has a documented physical or mental disability which makes the child incapable of self-care; or
    • The child turns thirteen (13) years during the certification period and remains eligible until redetermination
• Relationship: The applicant child(ren) must live in the home of the parent requesting CCAP services. The relationship between the adult applying for CCAP services and each applicant child must meet the broad definition of parent.
• Residency: The applicant parent(s) and any applicant children in the financial unit shall be residents of the State of Rhode Island.
• Citizenship
  • The applicant child shall be either a citizen of the United States or a qualified immigrant. There is no five year waiting period for qualified immigrant children to be eligible for CCAP.
  • The adult applying for CCAP for an eligible child shall not be required to provide proof of citizenship or immigration status.
  • The Department utilizes the State Verification and Exchange System (SVES) to validate Social Security Numbers (SSNs) and verify an applicant/recipient’s citizenship.
• Need for Services
  • RI Works or youth parents involved in the Youth Services/Home Visiting Program: must be in an approved education and training activity or work plan activity
  • Income eligible / low-income families with income below one hundred eighty percent (180%) of the federal poverty level: must be employed or participating in an approved education and/or training program, and are unavailable to provide routine care for the child(ren). The training can be an apprenticeship, internship, on-the-job training, work experience, work immersion or other job readiness/job attachment programs
• Cooperation with the Office of Child Support Services (OCSS): All families with an absent parent(s) are referred to the Office of Child Support Services. As a condition of eligibility, the parent/caretaker relative is required to cooperate in establishing paternity, and in establishing and/or enforcing child support and medical support orders for all children in the family, unless the parent/caretaker relative is found to have good cause for refusing to comply with these requirements.

There is a screening for Eligibility available at: https://healthyrhode.ri.gov/HIXWebI3/DisplayHomePage

How do I apply? 
You can apply using the online Customer Portal, by phone 1-855-MY-RIDHS (1-855-697-4347) or TTY 1-800-745-5555 (for hearing impaired). or by filling out a paper application. 

 

 

For more information please visit: https://dhs.ri.gov/programs-and-services/child-care/child-care-assistance-program-ccap-head-start

Texas Workforce Commission (TWC)

The child care services program subsidizes child care for low-income families, promoting long-term self-sufficiency by enabling parents to work or attend workforce training or education activities.

Eligible families of children under the age of 13 may receive child care financial assistance to cover a portion or, in some cases, all of the costs for child care so that parents can work, search for work, attend school or participate in training. Child care assistance is available only for children under the age of 13 in any of these circumstances:

• Parents are receiving or transitioning off of public assistance
• Are receiving or needing protective services
• Families are low-income

Workforce Development Boards administer child care services through local Workforce Solutions offices. Eligibility requirements and coverage amounts may vary by service area. In some cases the local board may have a waiting list for child care services.

Applications are accepted in several ways and vary in each workforce area. Please contact your Workforce Solutions Office for more information. Their information can be found at https://texaschildcaresolutions.org/financial-assistance-for-child-care/how-to-apply-for-child-care-assistance/

 Virginia Department of Social Services

The Child Care Subsidy Program assists families in paying child care costs for children under age 13.

To be eligible for the Child Care Subsidy Program, you must:

• Be a Virginia resident who is either:
  • Actively employed or engaged in a job search; Let your local department of social services know if you are searching for a job during your phone interview;
  • Participating in an education or training program;
  • Receiving child protective services (CPS);
  • Participating in an assigned activity for the Virginia Initiative for Education and Work (VIEW); or
  • Participating in a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training (SNAPET) plan of participation.
• Provide documentation of child's citizenship or legal residence in the United States.
• Provide documentation of child's immunization requirements as outlined by the State Board of Health.
• Provide documentation of household income that does not exceed the limits of the locality in which you reside.

Families of a child experiencing homelessness that cannot provide the required documentation needed to determine eligibility at the time of application may be conditionally approved for services for a period not to exceed 90 days.

Applications and Screen for eligibility can be completed online at: https://commonhelp.virginia.gov/access/

Department of Human Services, Economic Security Administration, Child Care Services Division

The District of Columbia operates a federally-funded child care assistance program that helps eligible families pay for child care. The subsidized child care program, or child care voucher, helps qualified families who meet income eligibility requirements. The child care subsidy is based on an assessment of need, income and family size. In addition to income-eligible families where one or more adult is working, child care assistance may also be available for:

Families who receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits and participate in education and training in accordance with their Individual Responsibility Plans; Teen parents seeking a high school degree or its equivalent; and/or
Families not receiving TANF, but who are pursuing additional education to improve employment opportunities and prospects.
How do I apply for a child care voucher?

You may apply for a child care voucher by visiting the Department of Human Services, Economic Security Administration, Child Care Services Division during regular business hours. The doors for the Child Care Services Division open at 7:30 a.m. and close at 4:45 p.m. Applicants are encouraged to call to schedule an appointment, Monday through Friday from 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early for appointments. Limited walk-in visits for new applicants are available on a first come, first serve basis on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

After you complete and submit the Subsidized Child Care Service Application, you must schedule an interview with the Eligibility Worker at your initial intake site. During the interview, the eligibility worker will obtain a thorough understanding of all relevant eligibility factors for you and your family.

 The Child Care Service Division is located at:

4049 South Capitol St. SW Washington, DC 20032

For more information about the Child Care Assistance and requirements: https://osse.dc.gov/page/child-care-subsidy-program-faq-parents-learn-more-about-eligibility-your-family  

Mountain Heart Community Services Child Care Resource & Referral 

West Virginia’s Child Care program is designed to help low-income families afford safe and quality child care. Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) is the federal funding source for the program. Financial assistance covers some child care costs when parents are involved in eligible activities such as work or school. Resource and Referral agencies also assist in educating parents on how to select child care providers and refer families to other needed services.

You may be eligible for Child Care if your family:

• Resides in West Virginia
• Meet income requirements: Monthly gross Income, by family size, must fall within the eligibility guidelines
• Meets full-time qualifying activity requirements: Must be working, or going to school, or WV Works, etc.

In addition to the above family requirements, your child(ren) must:

• Reside with family applying for Child Care
• Be US Citizen or Qualified Alien
• Be under the age of 13 years old, or
• Be between 13 to 18 years old – if: Under court supervision, or Meets the definition of special needs

Mountain Heart Website: https://www.mthtwv.com/cs/index.php/services-for-parents

The scale of income eligibility is located: at:   https://www.mthtwv.com/cs/index.php/services-for-parents/sliding-fee-scale-for-child-day-care-services-cc5

Screening for Assistance is located at: https://www.wvpath.org/benefitsfinderWV