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New York State Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
The NYS CCAP helps eligible families with some or all of the cost of child care. Each local social services district (LSSD) manages the CCAP with funding and support from the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS).
Eligibility Requirements
Families may qualify based on income, reasons for needing child care, and a child's age or individual needs.
Do I Qualify for CCAP?
CCAP Eligibility Questionnaire
New Eligibility Questionnaire!
Answer a short series of questions to see if you may be eligible for child care at low or no cost.
Eligibility Questionnaire Resources
- Eligibility Questionnaire Guide - English Eligibility Questionnaire Guide | Spanish/Español Eligibility Questionnaire Guide
- How to Calculate Gross Monthly Income - English How to calculate Gross Monthly Income | Spanish/Español How to calculate Gross Monthly Income
- CCAP Eligibility Questionnaire Video - English Eligibility Questionnaire Video | Spanish/Español Eligibility Questionnaire Video
Income Requirements
Here are the maximum amounts a family can make and still qualify. While this information can be a helpful tool, families should submit an application to their LDSS to find out if they qualify. Income is only one factor to qualify for child care assistance in New York State. Other families may also qualify, based on their specific needs.
| Family Size | Annual Income Limit* see table footnote | Monthly Income Limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $56,488.48 | $4,707.37 |
| 2 | $73,869.56 | $6,155.80 |
| 3 | $91,250.63 | $7,604.22 |
| 4 | $108,631.70 | $9,052.64 |
| 5 | $126,012.77 | $10,501.06 |
| 6 | $143,393.84 | $11,949.49 |
Activity Requirements
Currently, the CCAP may be available for most families who need child care to work, look for work, attend employment training, attend an education program, and/or meet income requirements. Contact your LDSS for the most up-to-date information about what service needs or activities may qualify to meet this requirement.
Family Share (also called Family Copay or Family Fee)
If you qualify, you may need to pay a portion of the cost of care depending on your situation. If you qualify for CCAP, you will receive a notice of approval that includes whether you have a family share, how much it is, and how to pay it.
The following chart provides examples of family share based on different income levels and family sizes.
| New York State Income Standard (SIS) | Income $40,000 | Income $60,000 | Income $80,000 | Income $100,000 | 85% State Median Income (highest eligibility level for CCAP) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Size | Income | Weekly Family Share | Weekly Family Share | Weekly Family Share | Weekly Family Share | Weekly Family Share | Income | Weekly Family Share |
| 2 | $20,440.00 | $1.00 | $4.00 | $7.50 | N/A | N/A | $73,896.56 | $10.50 |
| 3 | $25,820.00 | $1.00 | $2.50 | $6.50 | $10.50 | N/A | $91,250.63 | $12.50 |
| 4 | $31,200.00 | $1.00 | $1.50 | $5.50 | $9.50 | $13.00 | $108,631.70 | $15.00 |
| 5 | $36,580.00 | $1.00 | $1.00 | $4.50 | $8.50 | $12.00 | $126,012.77 | $17.00 |
| 6 | $41,960.00 | $1.00 | $1.00 | $3.50 | $7.50 | $11.00 | $143,393.84 | $19.50 |
| 7 | $47,340.00 | $1.00 | $1.00 | $2.50 | $6.50 | $10.00 | $146,652.80 | $19.00 |
| 8 | $52,720.00 | $1.00 | $1.00 | $1.50 | $5.00 | $9.00 | $149,911.75 | $18.50 |
Notes:
Family size of one is not shown here because such family is the eligible child only, and as such is not required to pay a family share, per 18 NYCRR Part 415.3(e)(1).
If a family qualifies to receive CCAP, they may need to pay a portion of the child care cost, depending on their situation. CCAP eligible families receive a notice of approval that includes whether they have a family share, how much it is, and how to pay it.
If a family is not exempt from paying an income based family share, the family share is 1% of the amount of the family's gross annual income that exceeds the state income standard (SIS) divided by 52 weeks per year and rounded to the nearest 50 cents, or a minimum of $1 per week.
How to Apply
Before Applying for the Child Care Assistance Program
To apply for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), you will need several documents which may include, but are not limited to:
- Proof of identification
- Examples may include: photo ID, driver's license, US. Passport
- Child(rens)'s identification, age, and citizen/immigration status
- Examples may include: birth certificate, hospital records, permanent resident card
- Proof of residency
- Examples may include: statement from landlord, mortgage records, current lease
- Income
- Examples may include: pay stubs, letter from employer including rate of pay per hour and hours worked per week, tax records, child support, social security benefits
- Schedule of work, training, or educational activity
- Examples may include: work schedule, school or training records or statement from school or training program
Accepted document types include: PDF, DOC/DOCX, jpeg, png.
* Please note that not all documents are required. Certain documents may fulfill more than one requirement.
To Apply for CCAP
- If you receive Temporary Assistance or are applying for Child Care in Lieu of Temporary Assistance, Transitional Child Care, or other services such as Public Assistance, SNAP, etc. you must complete the New York State Application for Certain Benefits and Services (LDSS-2921). This form can also be obtained from your LDSS.
- If you are a foster parent seeking child care assistance for a foster child, or have a protective or preventive services case, please reach out to your LDSS case worker to coordinate services.
- If you are applying as a non-parent caretaker who does not have financial responsibility for the child who needs child care assistance, such as a grandchild, niece/nephew or unrelated child, do not include your income. You are only required to provide the child's income on the application. If you are unsure if you have financial responsibility, please provide income information as though you do.
- If you are registered with and participate in the Address Confidentiality Program, please contact your LDSS to apply for services using a paper application.
- If you unable to apply online for CCAP, you may complete a paper application.
- Some districts use local equivalent forms of the application (OCFS-6025 Application for Child Care Assistance) and do not utilize the application below. Please contact your LDSS to ensure this application is accepted prior to completing a paper application.
Apply with the Child Care Assistance Application Portal (CCAA)
When you are ready, use the Apply Now button below to apply for CCAP using the Child Care Assistance Application portal (CCAA). You do not need to complete the application all at once. You can save your progress and come back to it later.
No applications for New York City or 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 their site.
Legally Exempt Child Care
Parents/caretakers who receive child care assistance are able to choose different types of child care providers, including legally exempt child care. A legally exempt child care provider is not required to be licensed or registered but is required to enroll as an informal child care provider or a group child care provider.
Informal Child Care
- Informal child care provider can be a parent/caretaker's friend, family or neighbor.
- Informal in-home child care means care is provided in the child's own home.
- Informal family child care is care that is provided in a home where the child does not reside.
- A provider who is not related to the child(ren) receiving child care is required to complete a Comprehensive Background Check.
Group Child Care
- Group child care is provided in a facility, other than a residence.
- Group child care programs must meet all applicable state or local requirements.
- Group child care refers to groups under the auspices (GUA) of another federal, state or local government agency and groups not under the auspices (GNUA) of another federal, state or local government agency.
- Group employees are required to complete a Comprehensive Background Check.
How to Apply
A family interested in using legally exempt child care can complete the parent section of the enrollment packet and then have the provider complete their section. Complete packets can be submitted to the local enrollment agency. Families may use the link below to locate their local enrollment agency:
The enrollment packets can be found by clicking the appropriate link for either in-home and family child care or group child care:
- In-Home and Family Child Care: Enrollment Form for Provider of Legally Exempt In-Home Child Care and Legally Exempt Family Child Care
- Group Child Care: Part A - Enrollment Form for Legally Exempt Group Child Care Program
- Comprehensive Background Checks: OCFS-6000
** Please note: In order for a legally exempt child care provider to receive NYS child care assistance payments, the child(ren)'s parent/caretaker must apply and be approved for NYS child care assistance. The local social services district cannot pay a provider, or issue payment for the care given by a provider, who cannot be enrolled or who is ineligible. It is the parent's/caretaker's responsibility to pay for child care if the provider they have chosen is ineligible. **
Need Assistance?
\For assistance applying for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP):
- Visit the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Training page.
- Reach out to your local social services district - Local Departments of Social Services.
- Contact the Child Care Assistance Help Line:
- Phone: 518-474-9454
- Hours: M-F: 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
For questions about the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP):
- Visit the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) page for guides, videos, and other resources to help you fill out your CCA application.
- Reach out to your local social services district - Local Departments of Social Services.
For questions about myBenefits.ny.gov
- Reach out to your local social services district - Local Departments of Social Services.