Check if you qualify in Illinois
Enter your household size and monthly income to see if you qualify for child care subsidy in Illinois. Results are instant, nothing is stored.
For a household of 3, the limit to apply in Illinois is $5,123 a month (225% of the poverty level) and the limit to stay enrolled is $6,261 (275% of the poverty level).
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.
Illinois Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
Administered by Department of Human Services, Illinois Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) helps pay for child care expenses for income-eligible families in Illinois.
It provides financial help to low-to-middle-income families to cover the cost of childcare while parents are working, looking for work, or attending school.
Families are required to cost-share on a sliding scale based on family size, income, and number of children in care. You may use the Eligibility Calculator to see if you qualify and to determine your co-pay.
What is the income limit for child care assistance in Illinois?
A family in Illinois is considered “income eligible ” when the total gross monthly income is at or below 225% of the federal poverty level at the time of initial application or up to 275% at the time of redetermination.
| Household Size | 225% FPLInitial Eligibility | 275% FPLRedetermination |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | $4,058 | $4,959 |
| 3 | $5,123 | $6,261 |
| 4 | $6,188 | $7,563 |
| 5 | $7,253 | $8,864 |
| 6 | $8,318 | $10,166 |
| 7 | $9,383 | $11,468 |
| 8 | $10,448 | $12,769 |
How much is the family copay for child care assistance in Illinois?
Illinois sets your monthly co-payment based on your gross monthly income and family size, and the amount is shown on your Approval Notice.1 You pay the co-payment to your provider, and the state deducts it from its payment.
If all your children are school-age and approved for part-time care, your co-payment may be half the full-time amount from September through May. The full-time amount applies in June, July, and August.
How do I apply for child care assistance in Illinois?
To apply for CCAP, you must complete and submit a Child Care Application (form 3455) to your local CCR&R or child care agency along with other documentation. 2
Illinois Department of Human Services
Bureau of Child Care and Development
(800) 843-6154
Sources & notes
Data and figures on this page come from the sources and notes below:
Footnotes
-
Illinois Department of Early Childhood, Parent CCAP Co-Payment Rates , revised July 1, 2026. ↩
-
Find your local CCR&R or call (877) 202-4453 (toll-free). ↩
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