Connecticut Care 4 Kids — Care 4 KidsConnecticut

Find out if you qualify in Connecticut

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

For a household of 3, the income limit to apply in Connecticut is $6,558 a month (60% of state median income) and $9,290 (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 Connecticut Care4Kids.

Connecticut Care 4 Kids

Care 4 Kids, the state’s primary child care support program, is a subsidy program that helps low-income working parents in Connecticut afford child care for their infants and toddlers, preschoolers, and school age children.

Eligibility is based on household income and family size. A household must meet all of the following requirements:¹

Residence in Connecticut.
Work by the applicant, or participation in a training or education activity approved under Jobs First, Connecticut’s temporary family cash assistance program.
A child under age 13, or under age 19 if the child has special needs.
Countable income within the program’s income limit.

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

A household with income less than 60% of the State Median Income (SMI) at the time of initial application may qualify for assistance. That is about $6,558 per month for a household of three.

Child care subsidy income limits by household size, Connecticutters
Household Size	60% SMIInitial Eligibility	85% SMIRedetermination
2	$5,309	$7,521
3	$6,558	$9,290
4	$7,807	$11,060
5	$9,056	$12,829
6	$10,305	$14,599
7	$10,539	$14,930
8	$10,773	$15,262

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.

How much is the Care 4 Kids family fee?

Since it is a subsidy, parents are expected to pay for some of the child care costs, known as Family Fee . The fee amount is calculated by comparing a percentage of the family’s countable income to the State Median Income (SMI) guidelines for the family size.

Income Limit	Family Fee
≤ 20% SMI	0%
≤ 40% SMI	3%
≤ 60% SMI	5%
≤ 85% SMI	7%

How much is child care in Connecticut per month?

The average cost of child care in Connecticut is about $1,774 a month for an infant ($21,292 a year) and about $1,445 a month for a 4-year-old ($17,338 a year).

See how child care costs compare in every state.

How do I apply for child care assistance in Connecticut?

Families are encouraged to apply for Care 4 Kids using the online application portal for faster processing, or fill out a Care 4 Kids Application , attach required documentation, and mail it to

Care 4 Kids
1344 Silas Deane Highway
Rocky Hill, CT 06067

If you have any questions or need help, call (888) 214-5437.

Sources & notes

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

Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, Care 4 Kids family information . ↩