Indiana Child Care Assistance — Child Care and Development FundIndiana

Check if you qualify in Indiana

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

For a household of 3, the limit to apply in Indiana is $3,074 a month (135% of the poverty level) and the limit to stay enrolled is $6,399 (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.

Indiana Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)

According to the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, new child care vouchers resumed in May 2026 after a 15-month freeze, with enrollment continuing through the fall. Thousands of children remain on the waitlist, and the added funding is set to last until mid-2027.¹

The purpose of the Indiana’s Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) is to provide financial assistance with child care costs to eligible working families.

Families who qualify will receive a voucher from the local department of social services to take to the provider of their choice.

Priority is first assigned to On My Way Pre-K applicants, families earning below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), and children of child care workers.

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

Initial income eligibility for CCDF is currently set at 135% of the federal poverty level, or about $3,074 in monthly income for a family of three.

Once approved, a family can stay on CCDF until its gross monthly income goes over 85% of the State Median Income (SMI), which is about $6,399 a month for a family of three.²

Child care subsidy income limits by household size, Hoosiers
Household Size	135% FPLInitial Eligibility	85% SMIRedetermination
2	$2,435	$5,181
3	$3,074	$6,399
4	$3,713	$7,618
5	$4,352	$8,837
6	$4,991	$10,056
7	$5,630	$10,285
8	$6,269	$10,513

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 copay for CCDF child care vouchers in Indiana?

Indiana sets a weekly family copay based on your income compared to the federal poverty level. The weekly fee is your monthly income multiplied by a percentage and divided by 4.3.³

Family income % of poverty level	Weekly fee % of monthly income, years 1 to 3
100% or less	No fee
101% to 135%	5% to 7% of income
136% to 170%	7% to 10%
171% to 225%	13% to 16%
226% up to 85% of SMI	19%

In your first three years in the program, the percentage is as above, and rises by 1 point for each additional year in the program, up to 7 points higher by year 10.

How do I apply for child care assistance in Indiana?

Families can now apply for CCDF or On My Way Pre-K using a new, easier-to-use online application called “Early Ed Connect” where you can now apply for multiple children in one application.

Indiana Family and Social Services Administration
Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)
(877) 511-1144

Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R)
(800) 299-1627

Sources & notes

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

Chalkbeat Indiana . Indiana to resume child care vouchers after 15-month freeze, but thousands will remain waitlisted. ↩
Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Office of Early Childhood and Out of School Learning, Income Eligibility Determination: Stay on CCDF , effective April 5, 2026. ↩
Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Child Care Income Eligibility Determination & Fee Schedule 2026 , effective April 5, 2026. ↩

Check if you qualify in Indiana

Indiana Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)

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

How much is the copay for CCDF child care vouchers in Indiana?

How do I apply for child care assistance in Indiana?

Footnotes