Check if you qualify in North Carolina
Enter your household size and monthly income to see if you qualify for child care subsidy in North Carolina. Results are instant, nothing is stored.
For a household of 3, the limit to apply in North Carolina is $3,028 a month (133% of the poverty level) and the limit to stay enrolled is $6,508 (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.
North Carolina Child Care Subsidy Program
North Carolina’s Child Care Subsidy Program provides subsidized child care for income-eligible families who need help paying for child care through a voucher program.
Most families are required to pay a percentage of their child care costs based upon their gross monthly income — usually no more than 10% if applicable.
Funding for this program is limited, parents requesting financial assistance for child care are often placed on a waiting list until more funding becomes available.
What is the income limit for child care assistance in North Carolina?
A family in North Carolina is considered “income eligible ” when their gross monthly income is at or below 133% of the federal poverty level at the time of initial application. For a family of three, that’s about $3,028.
| Household Size | 133% FPLInitial Eligibility | 85% SMIRedetermination |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | $2,398 | $5,268 |
| 3 | $3,028 | $6,508 |
| 4 | $3,658 | $7,748 |
| 5 | $4,287 | $8,987 |
| 6 | $4,917 | $10,227 |
| 7 | $5,546 | $10,460 |
| 8 | $6,176 | $10,692 |
The eligibility for any child with special needs, including any child from birth to age 5, is set at 200% of the federal poverty level.
How much is the copay for the child care subsidy in North Carolina?
North Carolina sets a sliding-scale copay based on a percentage of your gross monthly income, paid directly to your provider. You may also pay any gap between the subsidy payment and your provider’s posted tuition.
How do I apply for child care assistance in North Carolina?
If you meet the eligibility criteria, contact your County Child Care Worker 1 to schedule an appointment. If you are deemed eligible, the agency will issue a Child Care Voucher for each eligible child.
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Division of Child Development and Early Education
(800) 859-0829
Sources & notes
Data and figures on this page come from the sources and notes below:
Footnotes
-
You can find contact information for your county’s office on the NC Division of Child Development and Early Education website. ↩
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