New York Child Care Assistance — Child Care Assistance ProgramNew York

Check if you qualify in New York

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

For a household of 3, the limit to apply in New York is $7,950 a month (85% of state median income) and the limit to stay enrolled is $7,950 (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.

New York Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)

New York’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) provides free or low cost child care to families who need child care to work, look for work, attend employment training or an education program.

Eligibility is based on income and household size. In most cases, families must not earn more than 85% of the State Median Income (SMI) to qualify.

The program pays for part of the child care costs on a sliding fee scale , and parents contribute a small fee to the care provider based on their income.

What is the income limit for child care assistance in New York?

The following chart shows the maximum amounts a family can make and still qualify. For example, a family of three is considered “income eligible” when their gross income is at or below $7,950 per month.

Child care subsidy income limits by household size, New Yorkers
Household Size	85% SMIInitial Eligibility	85% SMIRedetermination
2	$6,435	$6,435
3	$7,950	$7,950
4	$9,464	$9,464
5	$10,978	$10,978
6	$12,492	$12,492
7	$12,776	$12,776
8	$13,060	$13,060

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.

New York calculates the weekly family share using income above the State Income Standard (SIS), which is the federal poverty guideline for your family size.¹ If you are not exempt, your share is generally 1% of your annual gross income above the SIS, divided by 52 and rounded to the nearest 50 cents, with a minimum of $1 per week.²

Families receiving Temporary Assistance may be exempt. For a family of three, the 2026 SIS is $27,320 a year, and the weekly family share is:

Annual gross income family of three	family shareWeekly
$27,320 or less (SIS)	$0.00
$40,000	$2.50
$60,000	$6.50
$80,000	$10.00
$97,854 (highest eligibility level, 85% of State Median Income)	$13.50

How do I apply for child care assistance in NY?

NY CCAP is administered by Local Departments of Social Services (LDSSs) in 57 counties and NYC.³ Complete and submit your application to the LSSD of the county you reside in.

You may also apply using the Child Care Assistance Application portal , unless you reside in New York City or Schenectady County.

Local	Apply
New York City	myCity
Schenectady County	apply here

New York State Office of Children and Family Services
General Help Line
(518) 474-9454

Since CCAP is managed locally, you should call your county’s local social services office for application status or local eligibility questions.

Sources & notes

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

In the New York Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), the State Income Standard (SIS) is a baseline income reference used to calculate a family’s weekly co-pay (known as the family share). ↩
New York State Office of Children and Family Services, Child Care Assistance Program: Family Share , examples effective June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2027. ↩
New York State Office of Children and Family Services, Local Departments of Social Services directory , for county office contact details. ↩

Check if you qualify in New York

New York Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)

What is the income limit for child care assistance in New York?

How much is the family share for child care assistance in New York?

How do I apply for child care assistance in NY?

Footnotes