Child Care Assistance Program
EducationThe Child Care Assistance program can help you pay part or all of your child care expenses each month.
To see if you’re eligible, see the FAQs section below.
FAQs
What is the Child Care Assistance Program?
The Child Care Assistance Program provides parents who are working or in school with financial assistance to help pay for their child care.
You must choose a licensed child care center, school-age program, head start, type B home provider or a certified in-home aide provider in order to qualify.
You may still be required to pay for part of your child care, called a fee or co-payment. The amount you pay is based on your income and family size.
Who is Eligible?
- Parents must be both working or in school
- Families with children that meet a “gross monthly income test” based on income and family size may be eligible.
Gross monthly income includes unearned income – for example, Social Security benefits – and earned income – such as wages before taxes.
If your family’s gross monthly income is at or below 145% of the federal poverty level (FPL), your caretaker may be eligible for publicly funded child care.
Check the chart below to check your ongoing eligibility:
Ongoing Eligibility
Ongoing eligibility may be maintained if your family’s gross monthly income is at or below 300% of the FPL.
The monthly income standards are as follows:
| Family Size | 2023 Federal Poverty Level (100%) Annually |
Maximum Monthly Income Limit for Initial Eligibility (145%) |
Maximum Monthly Income Limit for Special Needs and Transitional Eligibility (150%) |
Maximum Monthly Income Limit for Ongoing Eligibility (300%) |
| 2 | $19,720.00 | $2,384.00 | $2,466.00 | $4,932.00 |
| 3 | $24,860.00 | $3,005.00 | $3,108.00 | $6,216.00 |
| 4 | $30,000.00 | $3,625.00 | $3,750.00 | $7,500.00 |
| 5 | $35,140.00 | $4,248.00 | $4,394.00 | $8,787.00 |
| 6 | $40,280.00 | $4,868.00 | $5,036.00 | $10,071.00 |
| 7 | $45,420.00 | $5,489.00 | $5,678.00 | $11,355.00 |
| 8 | $50,560.00 | $6,111.00 | $6,321.00 | $12,642.00 |
Please note: Your copays will increase as your income reaches 300% of the FPL.
Note: Families below 100% will have no co-payment
Note: Transitional child care allows a person up to 12 months of new or continuing PFCC benefits during their transition out of Ohio Works First when their income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty level.
Copayment Desk Aid: The family copayment desk aid has been updated based on the new income eligibility standards. The new desk aid is attached to this letter.
Please contact the Child Care Policy Help Desk at 1-877-302-2347, option 4, or at childcarepolicy@jfs.ohio.gov if you have any questions.
How Much are Copayments?
To determine your weekly copayment, refer to copayment chart.
Please note: The income in the chart is listed as monthly. The copay is listed as weekly. The amount you pay is the same regardless of the amount of children you send for child care.
In addition, both parents must be working or enrolled in basic education or vocational classes.