The publicly funded child care program helps eligible low to moderate income families find and pay for child care. The income requirements are explained below.

 

Who is Eligible for the Child Care Program?

These are the eligibility requirements:

  1. You must be working, in school or in a qualified training program, or in a work activity approved in a self-sufficiency contract for families that receive cash assistance.
  2. You must have physical custody of children on your application
  3. Citizenship must be verified for each child that needs care
  4. Children must be under the age of 13, or if they have special needs, under the age of 18.
  5. Your initial gross monthly household income for your family size must be equal to or less than 145% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
  6. Your initial gross monthly household income for your family size, which includes a child with verified special needs, must be equal to or less than 150% of FPL.
  7. Your gross monthly household income for your family size must be equal to or less than 300% of the FPL to maintain your eligibility for service.

 

What Does Gross Monthly Household Income Mean?

Gross monthly household income means your total income before taxes. That includes your paycheck, child support, cash assistance, social security, disability, etc.

 

What is 145%, 150% or 300% of the Federal Poverty Level?

Below is a chart that lists what 145%, 150% and 300% of the Federal Poverty Level is for your family size. To use the chart, first find your family size. If your gross monthly income is equal to or less than the income listed for your family size, then you may be eligible for the child care program. If your gross monthly income is greater than the income listed for your family size, then you may not be eligible.  Final eligibility can only be determined by completing an application.

 

  Determining the FPL by Family Size
Family Size 145% Federal Poverty Level
(New applications)
150% Federal Poverty Level
(New applications – special needs child)
300% Federal Poverty Level
(Existing applications)
2 $2,384 $2,466 $4,932
3 $3,005 $3,108 $6,216
4 $3,625 $3,750 $7,500
5 $4,248 $4,394 $8,787
6 $4,868 $5,036 $10,071
7 $5,489 $5,678 $11,355
8 $6,111 $6,321 $12,642
         

Note: The effective date of this income guidelines chart is October 1, 2023.