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The Child Care Subsidy Program helps low-income families pay for the cost of care when the parent(s) are searching for employment, working, in school or training. Based on the family’s income, the parents may be responsible for paying for part of the cost of care. The Department of Family Services’ Child Care Subsidy Program uses a combination of state and federal funds to assist eligible families in paying for the cost of child care while the parent(s) is in an approved activity. If the family meets the eligibility criteria, the Department of Family Services pays a portion of the cost of care. Parents are free to choose a child care arrangement that best fits their needs as long as the chosen provider meets certain health and safety requirements.

DFS bases its maximum reimbursement rates for licensed facilities on a Market Survey which is conducted at least once every three years. Our most recent survey is the 2024 Market Survey . You will need to report your regular rates on the Provider Registration form. If your rates are more than the DFS maximum reimbursement rates, the parent(s) will be responsible for the amount above the DFS maximum reimbursement rates. The parent may also be responsible for paying for a portion of the cost of care. You cannot bill DFS more than you bill your families that are not assisted by DFS. The amount of time DFS will pay for is based on the parent(s) activity schedule. Only the hours that the parent is working or attending school are allowable hours for child care assistance. If the parent(s) are bringing the child to child care at times that they are not working or going to school, you should bill the parent directly and do not include those hours on your DFS billing form.

To qualify for the Child Care Subsidy Program, a family needs to meet all eligibility criteria including financial and approved activity criteria. The following information is provided as an overview of potential eligibility for assistance but the actual determination must be made by the local DFS office in the county where you reside.

All income that any family member receives must be reported to the Department for consideration in the eligibility determination for child care subsidy. The income may or may not be used based on the type of income and who receives the income.

The amount the state pays for child care depends on the family’s income and the cost of the care provided.

To receive child care assistance, the parent/caretaker must be working or attending an employment-related educational program. For parents pursuing a college degree, assistance can be provided for the time the parent/caretaker is attending classes toward a first baccalaureate degree. If there are two parents/caretakers in the household, both parents/caretakers must be participating in an approved activity during the same hours.

Once the family has been receiving child care assistance, they may remain eligible for assistance if the family’s income increased due to employment earnings and the total income is within the limits for Transitional Child Care.

Apply for child care using ECARES beginning August 4, 2025. Find out more about ECARES at this link .

Employer’s Statement

Self Employment Statement

Financial Criterial Chart – effective April 1, 2026

Financial Criteria Chart – effective April 1, 2025

Financial Criteria Chart – effective April 1, 2024