Check if you qualify in Michigan
Enter your household size and monthly income to see if you qualify for child care subsidy in Michigan. Results are instant, nothing is stored.
For a household of 3, the limit to apply in Michigan is $4,553 a month (200% of the poverty level) and the limit to stay enrolled is $6,964 (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.
Michigan Child Development and Care Program
Michigan’s Child Development and Care (CDC) Program offers payment assistance for child care services for low-income families who need help paying for child care.
Eligible families that qualify for the CDC program can choose their own child care provider. The state pays a portion of the cost of child care, while the parent is responsible to pay a co-payment to the provider each month.
For families who are receiving FIP/TANF, children in foster care, homeless or migrant children, the child will have a $0 family contribution (FC).
What is the income limit for child care assistance in Michigan?
In Michigan, a family of three may qualify for child care assistance at application if its gross monthly income is about $4,553 or less (200% of the federal poverty level). At renewal, the family may continue receiving assistance until its income exceeds about $6,964 a month (85% of state median income).1
| Household Size | 200% FPLInitial Eligibility | 85% SMIRedetermination |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | $3,607 | $5,637 |
| 3 | $4,553 | $6,964 |
| 4 | $5,500 | $8,291 |
| 5 | $6,447 | $9,617 |
| 6 | $7,393 | $10,943 |
| 7 | $8,340 | $11,192 |
| 8 | $9,287 | $11,441 |
How much is the family contribution for child care assistance in Michigan?
Michigan calls the part you pay your provider the family contribution (FC). It is based on your household income and size, so families with the lowest incomes may pay the least or nothing.1 The FC is $0 if your family receives FIP/TANF, or if your child is in foster care or is homeless or migrant. Your exact amount is set when your child is approved for CDC, and it may change when your income is reviewed at renewal.
How do I apply for child care assistance in Michigan?
The fastest way to apply for CDC is online through the MDHHS website, MI Bridges . The application process takes around 45 days to complete.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Child Development and Care (CDC) Program
(855) 275-6424
MI Tri-Share
MI Tri-Share is Michigan’s nationally recognized child care cost-sharing program designed to make licensed child care more affordable for working families.
Through this innovative model, the cost of child care is split evenly between the employee, the employer, and the State of Michigan.
- Employee pays one-third of the licensed child care cost.
- Employer contributes one-third.
- State of Michigan covers the remaining one-third for eligible families.
This shared approach helps families access reliable, high-quality care without bearing the full financial burden on their own.
Who is eligible for Mi Tri-Share?
Under MI Tri-Share, families qualify for the state’s one-third contribution if their household income falls between 200% and 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL), which is about $4,553 to $9,107 per month for a family of three.
| Household Size | 200% Income Limit | 400% Income Limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,660 | $5,320 |
| 2 | $3,607 | $7,213 |
| 3 | $4,553 | $9,107 |
| 4 | $5,500 | $11,000 |
| 5 | $6,447 | $12,893 |
| 6 | $7,393 | $14,787 |
| 7 | $8,340 | $16,680 |
| 8 | $9,287 | $18,573 |
MI Care-Share
Employers can now extend this child care benefit to employees above MI Tri-Share’s income eligibility with the MI Care-Share .
Through this add-on model, participating employers continue to contribute one-third of the child care cost, while the employees who do not meet the state’s income eligibility contribute the remaining two-thirds.
MI Care-Share is available only through employers enrolled with a Tri-Share Facilitator Hub. If your employer is not yet participating, they can contact a Hub to join the program.
MI Tri-Share Facilitator Hub
(888) 344-1124
Sources & notes
Data and figures on this page come from the sources and notes below:
Footnotes
-
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, RFT 270: CDC Income Eligibility Scale , effective January 13, 2026. ↩ ↩2
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