Check if you qualify in Montana
Enter your household size and monthly income to see if you qualify for child care subsidy in Montana. Results are instant, nothing is stored.
For a household of 3, the limit to apply in Montana is $4,212 a month (185% of the poverty level) and the limit to stay enrolled is $4,212 (185% 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.
Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarships
The Early Childhood Services Bureau offers “Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarships ” to qualified low-income families in Montana to help cover the cost of child care.
Recipients of the scholarship are working families, working care takers, TANF recipients, and parents in high school, college or pursuing a GED.
Families participating in the program are required to make co-payments based on a sliding fee scale that takes into account a percentage of the family’s gross monthly income.
What is the income limit for child care assistance in Montana?
A family is considered “income eligible” when the total gross monthly income is at or below 185% of the federal poverty level at the time of initial application. For a family of three, that’s about $4,212.
| Household Size | 185% FPLInitial Eligibility | 185% FPLRedetermination |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | $3,336 | $3,336 |
| 3 | $4,212 | $4,212 |
| 4 | $5,088 | $5,088 |
| 5 | $5,963 | $5,963 |
| 6 | $6,839 | $6,839 |
| 7 | $7,715 | $7,715 |
| 8 | $8,590 | $8,590 |
New families may enter the program up to 185% of the poverty level, and families already enrolled may stay up to 200%.
How much is the family copay for Best Beginnings in Montana?
Montana’s monthly copay is at least $10 and ranges from 0.5% to 7% of gross monthly income, depending on income as a percentage of the poverty level.1
| Family income | Monthly copay |
|---|---|
| ≤ 100% | 0.5% (at least $10) |
| 105% to 130% | 1.0% to 2.0% |
| 135% to 180% | 2.5% to 6.5% |
| 185% to 200% | 7.0% |
How do I apply for child care assistance in Montana?
Families seeking child care assistance must complete the scholarship application and submit it the local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency or apply online at app.mt.gov for expedited processing.
As a condition of eligibility, parents are required to work or participate in work related activities for the minimum number of hours per week.
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
(406) 444-2544
Sources & notes
Data and figures on this page come from the sources and notes below:
Footnotes
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Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship Sliding Fee Scale , effective July 1, 2025. ↩
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