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Rhode Island Child Care Assistance
Child Care Assistance ProgramRhode Island

Check if you qualify in Rhode Island

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

For a household of 3, the limit to apply in Rhode Island is $5,942 a month (261% of the poverty level) and the limit to stay enrolled is $6,830 (300% 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.

Rhode Island Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)

Rhode Island CCAP helps eligible families in Rhode Island pay for child care while they work, go to school or training, or participate in other work-related activities.

CCAP is available to families with earnings up to 261% of the federal poverty level and are working a minimum of 20 hours per week.

Depending on their family size, income level, and number of children, families may be required to pay a co-payment, usually no more than 7% of their income.

What is the income limit for child care assistance in Rhode Island?

A family is considered “income eligible ” when the total gross monthly income is at or below 261% of the federal poverty level at the time of initial application. 1

Child care subsidy income limits by household size, Rhode Islanders
Household Size261% FPLInitial Eligibility300% FPLRedetermination
2$4,707$5,410
3$5,942$6,830
4$7,178$8,250
5$8,413$9,670
6$9,648$11,090
7$10,884$12,510
8$12,119$13,930
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.

Families can continue to participate in the program until their income is above 300% of the federal poverty level, or about $6,830 per month for a family of three.

How much is the copay for child care assistance in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island sets the copay on a sliding scale of about 2% to 7% of gross household income. You may pay one copay per family, no matter how many children are in care.

How do I apply for child care assistance in Rhode Island?

For more info or to request an application, please call the Department of Human Services at (855) 697-4347 or go to a local DHS office  to submit a DHS-2 application. 2

Rhode Island Department of Human Services
Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
(855) 697-4347

For assistance finding a provider, call
BrightStars
(401) 739-6100

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

Footnotes

  1. Effective January 1, 2025, families with income less than 261% of FPL are eligible for Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). This is the highest eligibility level in the state’s history. ↩

  2. The DHS-2 is the official, multi-purpose application form for various programs offered by the Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS), including Child Care Assistance (CCAP). ↩

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.

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
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