Child Care Assistance


Important Child Care Assistance Information

There is no child care waiting list at this time.  However, if lack of funding becomes an issue, applicants will be placed on a waiting list in the order of their application date.  As funding becomes available, the applicants with the earliest application dates will be contacted to reapply.

Child Care Complaint Line

If you want to make a complaint against a child day care program, you may do so by calling 800-732-5207. This line operates Monday through Friday during regular business hours.

Child Abuse Hotline

Information regarding child abuse or maltreatment should be directed to the State Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment at 800-342-3720. This line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Subsidies

New York State Child Care Subsidy program assists families by removing a barrier to working, encouraging personal responsibility, and empowering individuals to make informed child care decisions.

How to Apply for Day Care Assistance

Who Are the Providers?

  • Informal - friend, neighbor, or relative who is enrolled with an enrollment agency
  • State Licensed - day care center, group/family day care

Is There a Family Share to Pay?

  • All families have a share of their child care cost based on the family size and household income.

Transitional Child Care Benefits

  • Any household eligible for child care benefits while receiving Temporary Assistance would be eligible for transitional child care assistance for one year, if they are otherwise eligible.

Eligibility Requirements

How do I Become a Day Care Provider?

Resources for Legally-Exempt Child Care Providers Regarding the Comprehensive Background Checks

Frequently Asked Questions

Group Provider Letter   

Provider Letter


There is a new Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Eligibility Questionnaire available to parents and caretakers! 

The Eligibility Questionnaire allows parents and caretakers to answer a few questions to see if they are eligible for CCAP.  There are three sections to the tool; child eligibility, activity eligibility, and financial eligibility.  Most of the questions are yes or no questions and the entire questionnaire takes 10 minutes or less to complete. When they are finished, families are referred to LDSS to apply or get more information. 

 You can access the questionnaire directly by going to:  https://hs.ocfs.ny.gov/CCAPeligibility/.  Or, go to the OCFS CCAP website at: https://ocfs.ny.gov/programs/childcare/ccap/ and click on “Do I qualify for CCAP”.