North Dakota Child Care Assistance — Child Care Assistance ProgramNorth Dakota

Check if you qualify in North Dakota

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

For a household of 3, the limit to apply in North Dakota is $6,820 a month (75% of state median income) and the limit to stay enrolled is $7,730 (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 Dakota Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)

According to the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, new CCAP applicants may be placed on a waitlist, which began December 1, 2025. Families with income at or below 30% of state median income and households experiencing homelessness receive priority, and families currently enrolled in CCAP are not placed on the waitlist.¹

North Dakota CCAP is the state subsidy program targeted at low-income families who need help paying for child care. It provides assistance with payment for child care on a sliding fee basis for eligible parents.

Most families pay a co-payment, which is the amount you are required to pay towards the costs of child care. This sliding fee chart shows what the co-payment would be based on your income and household size.

Beginning January 1, 2026, the maximum rates covered by the state for childcare will be lower, meaning some families may have a higher remaining balance to pay their providers.¹

What is the income limit for child care assistance in North Dakota?

Eligibility is based on the family’s gross income and household size. In North Dakota, eligibility is capped at 75% of State Median Income (SMI). For a family of three, that’s about $6,820 a month to qualify.

Child care subsidy income limits by household size, North Dakotans
Household Size	75% SMIInitial Eligibility	85% SMIRedetermination
2	$5,521	$6,257
3	$6,820	$7,730
4	$8,119	$9,202
5	$9,418	$10,674
6	$10,718	$12,147
7	$10,961	$12,423
8	$11,205	$12,699

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.

Households experiencing homelessness or those with very low income at or below 30% of the state median income (SMI) are prioritized and, in certain cases, may not be placed on a waitlist.

How much is the family fee for CCAP in North Dakota?

CCAP copayments are based on the Worksheet for Calculating Copay, which sets your monthly copay from your household size and your income as a percentage of the state median income.² For a family of three, the current copay is:

Family income % of state median income	Monthly copay family of three
≤ 30%	$0
≤ 50%	$56 to $89
≤ 60%	$186 to $215
≤ 75% (limit to apply)	≤ $406
≤ 85% (limit to renew)	≤ $462

Final copays are set by eligibility staff, and you may owe a remaining balance if your provider’s cost of care is more than the CCAP maximum rate.

How do I apply for child care assistance in North Dakota?

You can submit an application online using the Self-Service Portal or apply in person at the Human Service Zone office near you.

North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
Child Care Assistance Program
Customer Support Center
(866) 614-6005

Sources & notes

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

ND DHS . Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Updates 2026 ↩ ↩²
North Dakota Health & Human Services, Worksheet for Calculating Copay , an estimate and not an official determination of eligibility. ↩

Check if you qualify in North Dakota

North Dakota Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)

What is the income limit for child care assistance in North Dakota?

How much is the family fee for CCAP in North Dakota?

How do I apply for child care assistance in North Dakota?

Footnotes