Child Care Assistance: How CCDF Helps Pay for Child Care, and Who May Qualify

Key facts

1What is CCDF child care assistance?

Childcare.gov describes it this way: "States and territories receive funding from the federal government to provide child care financial assistance to help families with low-income pay for child care so they can work or attend school." It is "also called vouchers, certificates, or subsidies." (Childcare.gov, Child Care Financial Assistance Options)

The federal fund behind it is the Child Care and Development Fund. Indiana calls its program CCDF, Texas calls it Child Care Services (CCS) and pays through scholarships, and Kentucky calls it the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). (Indiana FSSA, Child Care Assistance) (Texas Workforce Commission, Child Care and Early Learning Program) (Kentucky CHFS, Child Care Assistance Program for Families)

The program pays part of the cost to the child care provider you choose. It is separate from Head Start, which Childcare.gov says is "available at no cost to eligible families with low-income." (Childcare.gov, Child Care Financial Assistance Options, accessed November 3, 2026)

2Who may qualify under the federal rules?

Federal rules in 45 CFR 98.20 set the outer limits. To be eligible, a child must, at the time of the eligibility decision: (eCFR, 45 CFR 98.20)

1. "Be under 13 years of age," or, at the state's option, be under 19 and "physically or mentally incapable of caring for himself or herself, or under court supervision."
2. Live with a family "whose income does not exceed 85 percent of the State's median income (SMI)" for a family of the same size.
3. Live with a family "whose family assets do not exceed $1,000,000 (as certified by such family member)" (official limit).
4. Live with parents "who are working or attending a job training or educational program," or receive or need protective services.

States can add their own rules and priorities, and most set income limits below the federal ceiling. (eCFR, 45 CFR 98.20) Only the child's citizenship or immigration status counts; the state "may not condition a child's eligibility" on the parent's status. (eCFR, 45 CFR 98.20)

3What are the income limits in Indiana, Texas, and Kentucky?

Each state sets its own limit. Indiana starts families at 135 percent of the federal poverty level; Kentucky uses 85 percent of the state median income; Texas publishes its own yearly table. (Indiana FSSA, Child Care Assistance) (Kentucky CHFS, CCAP Tip Sheet) (Texas Workforce Commission, Income Eligibility Limits, Board Contract Year 2027)

Sources by column: Indiana FSSA, Income Eligibility Determination (to get on); Texas Workforce Commission, Income Eligibility Limits, Board Contract Year 2027; Kentucky CHFS, CCAP Tip Sheet. (Indiana FSSA, Income Eligibility (to get on)) (Texas Workforce Commission, Income Eligibility Limits, Board Contract Year 2027) (Kentucky CHFS, CCAP Tip Sheet) Texas also lists $4,134 a month for a family of 1 (official limit). (Texas Workforce Commission, Income Eligibility Limits, Board Contract Year 2027)

For Massachusetts, Minnesota, and every other state, pick your state on Childcare.gov's state resources page to find your local program and its limits. (Childcare.gov, State Resources)

4How does child care assistance work in Indiana?

Indiana's CCDF program is run by FSSA's Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning. "A family's gross monthly income before taxes and deductions must be at or below 135% of the federal poverty level," the family must live in the county where it applies, and "The child receiving care must be under 13 years old, or a child over 13 with documented special needs until their 19th birthday." You also need proof of identity for all family members, a valid service need, and a CCDF-eligible provider. (Indiana FSSA, Child Care Assistance)

The waitlist: FSSA "has re-implemented a waitlist for new applicants to the CCDF and On My Way Pre-K (OMWPK) voucher programs." Priority goes to On My Way Pre-K applicants, "families earning below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), and children of child care workers"; everyone else is first come, first served. Families on the waitlist must confirm their contact information, employment, and income "every 90 days to remain eligible." (Indiana FSSA, Child Care Assistance)

Apply through Early Ed Connect, which "works on computers, tablets, and mobile phones," lets you apply for several children at once, and saves your progress. (Indiana FSSA, Child Care Assistance) For other Indiana programs, see our Indiana SNAP and Indiana Medicaid guides.

5How does child care assistance work in Texas?

The Texas Workforce Commission "manages the Child Care Services (CCS) program with funding from the federal Child Care and Development Fund," and CCS "helps low-income Texas families pay for child care through scholarships." Local Workforce Development Boards run it through Workforce Solutions offices. (Texas Workforce Commission, Child Care and Early Learning Program)

Your family may qualify if you live in Texas and your child "is under age 13 (or under age 19 with a disability)" and is a U.S. citizen or has legal immigration status. Parents must need care to work or attend training or school "for a combination of at least an average of 25 hours per week for a single-parent family or 50 total combined hours per week for a two-parent family." (Texas Child Care Connection, Child care scholarships)

"Enrollment in the CCS program depends on how much funding is available," so families may be placed on a waitlist; "The only way to find out your waitlist status is to contact your local Workforce Solutions office." (Texas Child Care Connection, Child care scholarships)

To apply, create a Parent Central account and submit the Eligibility Screener and Waitlist Application. When the Board can enroll you, a caseworker asks for a Standard Application, which usually must be submitted "within two weeks," and "board staff have 20 days to make an eligibility decision" once it is complete. (Texas Child Care Connection, CCS application steps) For other Texas programs, see our Texas SNAP and Texas Medicaid guides.

6How does child care assistance work in Kentucky?

Kentucky's Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) "provides support to help families pay for child care." The Division of Child Care supports providers, and the Division of Family Support helps families apply. (Kentucky CHFS, Child Care Assistance Program for Families)

Kentucky's tip sheet says families must have gross countable income "less than or equal to 85% of the State Median Income (SMI)," and a child under 13 or over 13 with a verified special need. Single parent households must work "a minimum of 20 hours a week"; two parent households "a minimum of 40 hours a week, with neither parent working less than 5 hours per week." Job search, school, and SNAP Employment and Training also count. (Kentucky CHFS, CCAP Tip Sheet)

Apply at your local DCBS office, by phone at 855-306-8959, or online through kynect. (Kentucky CHFS, CCAP Tip Sheet) (Kentucky CHFS, Child Care Assistance Program for Families) Kentucky also offers a prescreening tool on kynect. For other Kentucky programs, see our Kentucky SNAP and Kentucky Medicaid guides.

7What will you pay?

Federal rules require each state to set a sliding fee scale that "Is based on income and the size of the family" and "Provides for affordable family co-payments that are not a barrier to families receiving assistance." At state option, co-payments can be waived for families "at or below 150 percent of the poverty level," children in foster or kinship care, families experiencing homelessness, children with a disability, children in Head Start, and others. (eCFR, 45 CFR 98.45)

State examples, each the state's own rule:

• Texas: "The parent share of cost will not exceed 7% of the family's household income." The Board Contract Year 2027 chart caps it at $289 a month for a family of 1 and $557 for a family of 4 (official maximums). (Texas Child Care Connection, Child care scholarships) (Texas Workforce Commission, Income Eligibility Limits, Board Contract Year 2027)
• Kentucky: "Some households may be assigned a daily copayment obligation based on their monthly income and family size," and "Households may also be responsible for overages charged by the child care program." (Kentucky CHFS, CCAP Tip Sheet)
• Indiana: FSSA publishes a CCDF sliding fee schedule with co-pays on its Child Care Assistance page. (Indiana FSSA, Child Care Assistance)

8How long does help last, and what if your job changes?

Under 45 CFR 98.21, a state "shall re-determine a child's eligibility for child care services no sooner than 12 months following the initial determination or most recent redetermination." In between, the child stays eligible even if income rises, as long as it stays at or under 85 percent of state median income, and through temporary changes like a seasonal break in work, a school holiday, or a reduction in work hours. (eCFR, 45 CFR 98.21)

If a parent loses a job, a state that chooses to end assistance must still "continue assistance at least at the same level for a period of not less than three months" so the parent can look for work. States also "cannot increase family co-payment amounts" during the 12 month period, with limited exceptions. (eCFR, 45 CFR 98.21)

9How do you apply, and is it free?

1. Find your state's program. In Indiana, Early Ed Connect; in Texas, Parent Central through Texas Child Care Connection; in Kentucky, kynect, your DCBS office, or 855-306-8959. Other states: Childcare.gov's state resources page. (Indiana FSSA, Child Care Assistance) (Texas Child Care Connection, Child care scholarships) (Kentucky CHFS, CCAP Tip Sheet) (Childcare.gov, State Resources)
2. Gather proof of identity, address, income for everyone in the family, and your work, school, or training schedule. Kentucky's list includes ID, proof of the child's citizenship or qualified immigrant status, proof of residency, proof of school enrollment, and income records. (Kentucky CHFS, CCAP Tip Sheet)
3. Submit the application yourself on the official site, then answer any request for documents or waitlist check.
4. Choose a provider that takes the program. Texas says to choose one "within 14 days" if you have not already. (Texas Child Care Connection, Child care scholarships)

Is it free to apply? The Indiana, Texas, and Kentucky pages we read do not say whether there is a fee to apply. Kentucky notes that a child care provider may charge its own enrollment or application fee, which CCAP usually will not cover. (Kentucky CHFS, Child Care Assistance Program for Families) Check with your state program.

You submit your application yourself on the official site. Benefit Bull is free, always. Benefit Bull never files for you. See also what happens when you apply.