Child Care Assistance Program
The Child Care Assistance Program is a program that can help assist you in paying for childcare for your children. You can apply online at the Department of Human and Family Services.
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Eligibility Guidelines
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Income Eligible (See Income Guidelines below)
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Working and/or attending school, or eligible training program.
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Completing a required TANF activity through IDHS.
The Department of Human Services has set eligibility guidelines for all applications.
To qualify for the program an applicant must be a:
* A family is considered income eligible when the combined gross monthly income of all family / household members are at or below for the corresponding family / household size. ALL income must be combined to determine eligibility. Two parent families / households include those with 2 or more adults living in the home such as the applicant and their spouse or significant other with a child in the home.
Once your completed application is submitted, it will be reviewed based on the eligibility factors of the program. Within 12 business days, you will receive an approval or denial notice, or request for additional information. If you do not receive a notification within 12 business days, please contact us.
If your application is approved, you are required to:
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Pay a monthly copay to your provider based on income and family size
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Complete paperwork to be re-determined at least every twelve months
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Notify Community Child Care Connection of changes in job, income, childcare provider or family size
*Eligibility can only be determined by the CCR&R
Federal tax credits available to assist in paying for childcare include:
- Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, which helps families pay for child care for children under the age of 13, if the parents are working. Parents who are full-time students can also claim the credit. Qualifying care includes child care
centers, family child care homes, and care provided by paid friends or relatives — as long as the relative is not a dependent of the taxpayer. The size of the credit depends on the number of children in care, your family income, and the amount you paid for child care during the tax year. There are limits on the credit given for one child, and two or more children.
-Earned Income Tax Credit, which is a refundable tax credit for low- and moderate-income families, particularly those with children. The EITC is based on family income and the number of children in the family. Both single- and two-parent families are entitled to the credit, as long as one parent is employed.