Check if you qualify in Minnesota
Enter your household size and monthly income to see if you qualify for child care assistance in Minnesota. Results are instant, nothing is stored.
For a household of 3, the income limit to apply in Minnesota is $4,737 a month (47% of state median income) and $6,753 (67% of state median income) to stay enrolled.
Estimated copay: no copay
Your state agency confirms your eligibility and final copay.
Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) helps low-income families pay for child care so parents can work, look for jobs, or go to school, with assistance covering children under 13 (or 15 with special needs).
Minnesota CCAP includes several subprograms designed to support families with child care costs, depending on their circumstances:
MFIP Child Care
Provides child care assistance while the parent is working or participating in Employment Services, such as job training or education, as required by their MFIP plan.
Transition Year Child Care
Offers 12 months of continued child care assistance to families after they exit MFIP, helping support the transition to self-sufficiency.
Basic Sliding Fee (BSF)
Serves low-income working families who are not receiving MFIP. Under this program, families pay a biweekly copayment based on income, while CCAP covers the remaining child care costs.
What is the income limit for child care assistance in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, income limits for child care assistance depend on the program a family is receiving. Families must have a household income of 47% of the State Median Income (SMI) or less at the time of application. If the family receives MFIP, the higher income limit applies at 67% SMI.
| Household Size | 47% SMIInitial Eligibility | 67% SMIRedetermination |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | $3,835 | $5,467 |
| 3 | $4,737 | $6,753 |
| 4 | $5,640 | $8,040 |
| 5 | $6,542 | $9,326 |
| 6 | $7,445 | $10,613 |
| 7 | $7,614 | $10,854 |
| 8 | $7,783 | $11,095 |
How much is the copayment for child care assistance in Minnesota?
The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families calculates each family’s copayment based on family size and gross annual income after allowable deductions. Families pay the copayment to their child care provider every two weeks.
The schedule below took effect October 12, 2026, and is shown for a family of three.1
| Income level | Biweekly copay |
|---|---|
| ≈ ≤ 16.5% | $0 |
| ≈ ≤ 22.0% | $2 |
| ≈ ≤ 27.7% | $35 |
| ≈ ≤ 29.0% | $36 |
| ≈ ≤ 30.4% | $38 |
| ≈ ≤ 31.7% | $40 |
| ≈ ≤ 33.0% | $46 |
| ≈ ≤ 34.3% | $48 |
| ≈ ≤ 35.7% | $49 |
| ≈ ≤ 37.0% | $51 |
| ≈ ≤ 38.3% | $59 |
| ≈ ≤ 39.6% | $61 |
| ≈ ≤ 40.9% | $63 |
| ≈ ≤ 42.3% | $78 |
| ≈ ≤ 43.6% | $80 |
| ≈ ≤ 44.9% | $96 |
| ≈ ≤ 46.2% | $105 |
| ≈ ≤ 47.5% | $115 |
| ≈ ≤ 48.9% | $132 |
| ≈ ≤ 50.2% | $143 |
| ≈ ≤ 51.5% | $154 |
| ≈ ≤ 52.8% | $173 |
| ≈ ≤ 54.1% | $196 |
| ≈ ≤ 55.5% | $221 |
| ≈ ≤ 56.8% | $250 |
| ≈ ≤ 58.1% | $280 |
| ≈ ≤ 59.4% | $311 |
| ≈ ≤ 60.7% | $335 |
| ≈ ≤ 62.1% | $361 |
| ≈ ≤ 63.4% | $387 |
| ≈ ≤ 64.7% | $414 |
| ≈ ≤ 67.0% | $448 |
Families may continue receiving assistance during their 12-month eligibility period while household income remains at or below 85% of SMI. At redetermination, household income must not exceed 67% of SMI.
How do I apply for child care assistance in Minnesota?
Applications for CCAP are available online at MN Benefits . In some counties, there is often a waiting list in place so it is best to apply as soon as possible to get on the list.
Minnesota Department of Human Services
Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
(651) 431-3800
Minnesota Postsecondary Child Care Grant Program
Postsecondary Child Care Grant Program provides financial assistance to eligible students with children under 12 to help pay for child care while pursuing a postsecondary education.
To be considered, applicants must demonstrate financial need AND are not currently receiving assistance under the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP).
The maximum award amount is $6,500 per eligible child per academic year. The amount of the award, however, cannot exceed 40 hours of child care per week per eligible child.
Interested students must first complete either the FAFSA or the MN Dream Act application, then submit an application through the Minnesota Aid Student Portal (MNAid).
Sources & notes
Data and figures on this page come from the sources and notes below:
Footnotes
-
Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families, Child Care Assistance Program Copayment schedules (DHS-6413O), effective October 12, 2026. Percentages are approximate and are calculated from the schedule’s 47% entrance level of $58,406 for a family of three. ↩
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