Child Care Subsidies

Families who receive cash assistance, some families who receive SNAP benefits (food stamps), and low income working families may all qualify for child care subsidies through Child Care Information Services.  The rules are different depending on which group you are in.

Families receiving TANF cash assistance may receive child care subsidies for any work or education activity on their Agreement of Mutual Responsibility approved by the welfare office.  If you want child care to go to school, be sure to ask that your education program be put on your AMR.  Community Legal Services may be able to help you with this.  If you get a job and leave TANF cash assistance, your child care subsidy can continue as a “former TANF” family, as long as you are working enough.  There is no waiting list for child care for former TANF families.

Families receiving SNAP (food stamps) can get a child care subsidy for when they are in approved education or job search programs.  The education or program must be approved by the welfare office on an Employment Development Plan (EDP).  Unfortunately, you cannot get child care through the SNAP program for time you are working.  If you get a job, you will need to apply to CCIS for a child care subsidy for low income working families, and you may be placed on a waiting list.

Low income working families can get child care subsidies if they are working at least 20 hours a week, or if they are working at least 10 hours a week and in school for a total of 20 hours a week.  There may be a waiting list for these subsidies.  Families pay a co-pay based on their income.