Check if you qualify in District of Columbia
Enter your household size and monthly income to see if you qualify for child care subsidy in District of Columbia. Results are instant, nothing is stored.
For a household of 3, the limit to apply in District of Columbia is $6,830 a month (300% of the poverty level) and the limit to stay enrolled is $11,793 (85% of state median income).
This is an estimate based on gross monthly income and household size. It does not include copayments, waitlists, or other rules, and your state agency makes the final decision.
District of Columbia Child Care Subsidy Program
District of Columbia operates a federally funded child care subsidy program that helps income-eligible families pay for care for children under age 13 (or under 19 with a disability).
The program pays all or part of a family’s child care costs, while parents pay a portion of the cost on a sliding scale based on income.
Eligible families can select a licensed child development facility that accepts subsidies or an in-home care provider who has an agreement with OSSE.
What is the income limit for child care assistance in District of Columbia?
A family is considered “income eligible ” when their gross monthly income is less than 300% of the federal poverty level at the time of initial application, which is about $6,830 per month for a family of three.
| Household Size | 300% FPLInitial Eligibility | 85% SMIRedetermination |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | $5,410 | $9,547 |
| 3 | $6,830 | $11,793 |
| 4 | $8,250 | $14,040 |
| 5 | $9,670 | $16,286 |
| 6 | $11,090 | $18,533 |
| 7 | $12,510 | $18,954 |
| 8 | $13,930 | $19,375 |
What is the parent fee for child care subsidy in DC?
DC charges a daily co-pay that depends on your income compared to the federal poverty level and on whether your child is in full-time or part-time care. The co-pay applies to the two youngest children in subsidized care, and no co-pay is required for additional children.1 For the first child, the daily co-pay is:
| Family income | Full-time care | Part-time care |
|---|---|---|
| ≤ 150% | $0 | $0 |
| ≤ 200% | $1.85 to $3.48 | $0.93 to $1.74 |
| ≤ 300% | $4.87 to $10.43 | $2.43 to $5.21 |
| ≤ 400% | $12.57 to $16.22 | $6.28 to $8.11 |
| ≤ 460% | $16.62 to $18.65 | $8.31 to $9.33 |
Some families may be exempt, including families with income below 150% of the poverty level, TANF recipients, parents engaged in job search, children experiencing homelessness, children with disabilities, and families with children in Head Start.
How do I apply for child care assistance in District of Columbia?
Families may apply online through DC Family Child Care Subsidy Portal or apply in person at the DC Department of Human Services (DHS).
DC Child Care Connections
(202) 829-2500
Sources & notes
Data and figures on this page come from the sources and notes below:
Footnotes
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District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education, Sliding Fee Scale , effective October 25, 2024. ↩
About this information
SingleMotherGuide.com is an independent website and is not affiliated with any government agency. Program amounts and income limits are compiled from official federal and state sources, which are cited on the page, and are reviewed periodically and updated as those sources change.
The information is provided for general guidance and is not legal or financial advice. The administering agency makes the final determination of eligibility and benefit amounts. To report an error, please contact us.
Data freshness
Figures on this page are compiled from the public sources cited above and may change; refer to the cited sources for the most current information.
- Last updated
- Updated by
- Ada Hu