The cost of care depends on several factors, including your child’s age, the type of care, and the location. There are several programs that can help make care more affordable. Some programs have income requirements, and some programs might be offered through local providers.
Financial Assistance Options
Child Care Assistance Program
The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) helps pay a portion of the cost of childcare for working families, or families in training or education programs.
Families with low income who meet certain eligibility criteria qualify for the program.
Head Start and Early Head Start
Head Start and Early Head Start are child development programs, serving children from birth to age five, expectant mothers and families. The overall goal of Head Start is to increase the social ability of children in low-income families and children with disabilities and improve the chances of success in school.
Both are federally funded programs and are in every state, territory, and many tribal communities. Families with incomes at or below the poverty level may be eligible for Head Start services.
Military and DoD Fee Assistance Programs
Child Care Aware® of America offers child care fee assistance to eligible members of the military and DoD. Eligibility requirements are determined by each branch of service or agency. Visit the Fee Assistance page to find out if your branch or agency is covered.
Working Parents Child Care Relief Pilot Program
This state matching fund program may assist qualifying parents of children ages birth to 36 months who work for participating employers.
Other Assistance
HHS may be able to help with more than just your child care needs. Other programs you may qualify for include health care, food support, housing and utility help.
Food and Nutrition Programs
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of lower-income families so they can purchase healthy food and move towards self-sufficiency. Households or individuals with low income who meet certain requirements may be eligible for assistance based on income limits.
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a federal nutrition program that offers healthy food for proper growth and development. Assistance is available statewide for pregnant and breastfeeding
women, infants, and children younger than 5 years old.
Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provides federal funds to nonresidential child care and adult care facilities to serve nutritious meals and snacks. The goal is to improve and maintain the health and nutritional status of children and adults in care while promoting the development of good eating habits.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program is intended to move low-income families with children who are deprived of parental support or care from public assistance to self-sufficiency. TANF supports families by providing cash assistance along with work readiness, training and job placement services.
Health Services
Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides health insurance coverage for children in families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, yet cannot afford to purchase coverage. It is
available to uninsured children age 18 and younger who live in families with qualifying incomes. Single 18-year-olds with eligible incomes may also apply.
Home Heating Assistance
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible families with home heating and weatherization costs. The program partially pays the cost of natural gas, electricity, propane, fuel oil, coal, wood, or other fuel sources.
The program also covers:
- Weatherization services (insulation, weather stripping around doors and windows, etc.)
- Furnace cleaning, repair, and replacement
- Chimney cleaning and inspection
- Emergency assistance
Self-Sufficiency
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program is intended to move low-income families with children who are deprived of parental support or care from public assistance to self-sufficiency. TANF supports families by providing cash assistance along with work readiness, training and job placement services.