Child Care Assistance 101

Balancing work, education, or other responsibilities can be challenging, but there's support available through the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). This initiative is designed to help families cover most, if not all, of their child care expenses, ensuring that children receive quality care while parents pursue their goals.

What is the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)? 

  • The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) is a publicly funded program that helps families pay for most or all of their child care costs. 

Who qualifies for Child Care Assistance?

  • Many families do! Families may qualify if they:

    • Are working and meet income guidelines:

  • Are attending school full-time (high school, 2- and 4-year college degrees, vocational, ESL, or literacy programs)

  • Have an active Temporary Assistance case

  • Are experiencing homelessness

  • Are receiving Domestic Violence services

  • Have an open protective services care

  • Are participating in an approved substance abuse program

  • Are experiencing a short-term medical emergency 

  • Child Care Assistance pays for care for children under the age of 13 (unless your child has special needs)

What is the application process? How long does the application process take?

  • Step 1: parent/family submits their application

    • Parent can use OCFS online quiz to see if they are eligible first

    • Parent can call DSS Daycare unit to discuss eligibility at (315) 435-LOVE (5683)

  • Step 2: DSS has 30 days (from the day application is submitted) to make an eligibility determination 

    • During this time, your Daycare Unit worker might reach out to you (often via mail) for more information, to get paperwork that you forgot to include, etc. The family has 10 days to return information to Daycare Unit Worker.

  • Step 3: DSS notifies family if they are eligible for Assistance

  • In general the process can take 1-2 months

I already have childcare. Can I keep my provider? Do I need to use a specific provider?

  • No need to use a specific provider! Families using Child Care Assistance find their own provider that best meets their family’s needs. Most providers in our community work with the Child Care Assistance Program.

I don’t have a childcare provider yet. Where can I find one?

  • Contact the Parent Services team at Child Care Solutions. They will be able to provide you with a list of licensed and registered providers in our community who might be able to meet your needs. Child Care Solutions. (315) 446-1220 ext. 303; parenthelp@childcaresolutions;  www.childcaresolutionscny.org 

My family member or friend watches my child(ren), I’m not sure I need this program… 

  • If your friend, family, or neighbor is watching your child(ren), they can be considered a legally exempt provider and can get paid through this program! Call (315) 435-5683 for more information.

My child has special needs. Can I still use this program?

  • Yes! Be sure to talk to your provider and your Day Care Unit worker about your child’s special needs. Not only can you use this program, but extra funding will be made available to your provider. 

Do I need to be a US Citizen to use this program?

  • No. Your child needs to be a US Citizen or have a satisfactory immigration status, but the parent does not.

Do I need to claim child support? What if I have an absentee parent? 

  • You do NOT need to pursue child support to use this program! In processing your application and determining your need for care, your Day Care Unit worker might inquire into the second parent to see if they can help provide care. They will discuss the situation with you but will never make you pursue child support or put your child in an unsafe care situation. 

What are some reasons my application might be denied?

  • Your application might be denied because you didn’t submit all the necessary paperwork, your income is over the income eligibility guidelines, or your child is over the age of 13. 

How long does the program last?

  • Once accepted, you will be in the program for 12 months. After 12 months you will need to recertify that your family still qualifies for (and needs) child care assistance. If you do, you can stay in the program for another 12 months.

Family Size Examples:

These are examples of how family size is calculated – they are neither binding nor comprehensive. Each family is different and every family will need to work with their Day Care Unit worker to determine their family size/household income.

Both of the child’s parents are living together: When adults live together and are either married or have a child in common, both adults count in the household.

I’m living with a partner that is not my child’s legal parent: When adults live together and are not married and do not have a child in common, each adult and their children are considered their own “unit”. Your partner would not count in the household.

I have other adults in the house:  Adults other than the parent(s)/caretaker(s) of the children that need care generally don’t count in the household and don’t factor into eligibility.

I’m a single parent and the child’s other parent is not involved: The household would consist of the single parent and their child. Child Care Assistance does not require pursual of Child Support, however we do ask for information about the absent parent.

For more information, visit Onondaga County DSS Child Care’s page at: http://www.ongov.net/dss/childcare/.

United Way of Central New York