Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)

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You are on this page: Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)

Need help with your Child Care Assistance Application?
Visit our Training and Resource Center

Application Notes

Families must meet certain eligibility requirements in order to qualify for child care at low or no cost through the Child Care Assistance Program. To see if you may be eligible to apply, view our eligibility requirements.

For help applying for the Child Care Assistance Program, visit the Child Care Assistance Program Training to view video tutorials, guides, and other application resources.

No applications for New York City and Schenectady County can be made using the Child Care Assistance Application portal. If you reside in New York City and want to apply online, you must apply through MyCity. If you reside in Schenectady County and want to apply online, you must apply on the Schenectady County Child Care website.

The New York State Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), commonly referred to as the Subsidy Program, is administered by local social services districts (LSSD) and overseen by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). The goal of the Child Care Assistance Program is to help Temporary Assistance (TA) and low-income families pay for child care in order to help them become self-sufficient.

For Parents and Caretakers

How much money can I receive?

If eligible, you can have some or all of your child care costs paid for, depending on your circumstances. Click I Want Help Paying for Child Care below to learn more.

What kind of providers can I use?

You are free to choose a provider that meets your needs so long as they are licensed, registered or enrolled as a legally exempt provider. You can even ask a family friend or relative to enroll as a legally exempt provider.

Is there a limit to how much money I can make and still be eligible?

In most cases, currently you cannot make more than 85% of the State Median Income to qualify.

How do I apply?

To learn how to apply and find out more, visit to the Help Paying for Child Care page.

I want help paying for child care.

For Providers and Caregivers

What does this program mean for me?

If you provide care for families using the program, the LSSD will pay up to the cost of care, or up to the applicable market rate, whichever is less either by paying you directly, or by sending the money to the family to pay you. The family may be required to pay a portion.

You may be eligible for enhanced or increased rates depending on your qualifications, ability to provide care during non-traditional hours, provide care to special needs children or other circumstances outlined in each LSSDs Child and Family Services Plan.

Providers are eligible to be paid 80 absences per child per year.

Depending on the type of child care program you provide, you may also be eligible for payment when the program is closed for certain holidays and extenuating circumstances.

Please see the Recent Regulations and Policies and Additional Resources sections below for more information or view your LSSDs Child and Family Services Plan.

Direct Deposit Information

Eligibility Questionnaire Resources

Informational Flyers

For Parents & Caretakers

For Providers & Caregivers

Did you know that families who are eligible for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) can use family, friend or neighbor care? In NYS, we refer to this as legally-exempt informal care. The following flyers provide more information:

Information for Local Social Service Districts

Recent Regulations and Policies

Additional Resources

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Social Media

External Resources

Important Income Tax Information

The Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) staff are happy to share valuable information on the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Grant Program. We especially want to share this information with local Child Care Centers and Family Child Care Homes, as they are in contact with potential eligible families.

The Earned Income Tax Credit, EITC or EIC, is a benefit for working families with low to moderate income. To qualify, you must meet certain requirements and file a tax return, even if you do not owe any tax or are not required to file.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Grant Program is an IRS initiative designed to promote and support free tax preparation service for the underserved, in both urban and non-urban locations. Service is targeted to low-to-moderate income individuals, persons with disabilities, the elderly and limited English speaking.

If you need general information about the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Grant Program, your OCFS Division of Child Care Services Regional Office can help you.

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