Alaska Child Care Assistance — Child Care Assistance ProgramAlaska

Check if you qualify in Alaska

Enter your household size and monthly income to see if you qualify for child care assistance in Alaska. Results are instant, nothing is stored.

For a household of 3, the income limit to apply in Alaska is $7,655 a month (85% of state median income) and $7,655 (85% of state median income) to stay enrolled.

Estimated copay: no copay

Your state agency confirms your eligibility and final copay.

Applications are processed by Alaska Child Care Program Office (CCPO).

Alaska Child Care Assistance Program

Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) in Alaska is known as “Parents Achieving Self Sufficiency” (PASS) and is divided into three categories:

PASS I,
PASS II,
PASS III.

PASS I provides child care assistance for families receiving benefits under the Alaska Temporary Assistance Program. Unlike the other two, PASS I does not require you to contribute toward your child care costs.

PASS II is for those who are transitioning from the Alaska TAP and PASS III is for families who are not eligible for, or who have never received, PASS I or PASS II.

Depending on your family’s size and monthly income, you will be responsible to contribute, on a monthly basis, toward your child care costs.

What is the income limit for child care assistance in Alaska?

According to the Alaska Division of Public Assistance, eligibility for CCAP is capped at 85% of the State Median Income (SMI).¹ For example, a household of three may qualify with a monthly income of $7,655 or less.

Child care subsidy income limits by household size, Alaskans
Household Size	85% SMIInitial Eligibility	85% SMIRedetermination
2	$6,197	$6,197
3	$7,655	$7,655
4	$9,113	$9,113
5	$10,571	$10,571
6	$12,029	$12,029
7	$12,302	$12,302
8	$12,576	$12,576

The income limits are presented as dollar amounts derived from a percentage of either the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) or the State Median Income (SMI) for 2026.

Will I have to pay a copay for child care assistance in Alaska?

Alaska families pay a portion of their child care cost, called a contribution payment or co-pay, directly to their provider each month. It is one family co-pay, so there are no additional co-pays for additional children, and families pay no more than 9% of their monthly income.²

For example, a family of three with monthly income of $2,846 would pay no more than about $256 a month. Actual copays may be lower.

How do I apply for child care assistance in Alaska?

If you are already receiving ATAP benefits, contact your case manager or DPA case worker to request for more information on how to apply for PASS I child care assistance.

Eligibility for PASS II/III child care assistance, on the other hand, is not automatic. You must complete and submit an application to your local Child Care Assistance office or through Alaska Child Care Information System (AKCCIS ) portal.

Alaska Department of Health
Child Care Program Office
(888) 268-4632

Child Care Program Office (Anchorage)
(907) 269-4500

Alaska Inclusive Child Care Program

Alaska Inclusive Child Care (Alaska IN!) provides additional funding for families in the Child Care Assistance Program whose children have diagnosed special needs.

The family must be participating in the State of Alaska’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), including Parents Achieving Self Sufficiency (PASS) I, PASS II, and PASS III.

Families may apply for the Alaska IN! (Inclusive) Program via Alaska Connect Portal or through organizations like THREAD Alaska or Alaska Family Services.

Alaska Family Services
(907) 746-4080

THREAD Alaska
(800) 278-3723

Sources & notes

Data and figures on this page come from the sources and notes below:

Alaska Department of Health, Child Care Assistance Program PASS II and PASS III brochure . ↩
Alaska Department of Health, Child Care Assistance Program: Family Income and Contribution Schedule . ↩