Check if you qualify in Texas
Enter your household size and monthly income to see if you qualify for child care subsidy in Texas. Results are instant, nothing is stored.
For a household of 3, the limit to apply in Texas is $6,443 a month (85% of state median income) and the limit to stay enrolled is $6,443 (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.
Texas Child Care Services (CCS) Program
Parents in Texas who work, attend school or participate in job training may be eligible for financial assistance, also known as subsidy, to cover a portion or, in some cases, all of the cost of child care.
According to the Texas Administrative Code, a parent must need child care to work or attend job training or school for an average of at least 25 hours a week in a single-parent family, or a combined 50 hours a week in a two-parent family.1
Due to limited funds available, parents applying for child care assitance may be placed on a wait list. The wait time averages about 6-9 months.
What is the income limit for child care assistance in Texas?
Eligibility criteria may vary in different regions of the state but generally, families whose income not exceeding 85% of the State Median Income (SMI) qualify for assistance.
The income limits for families of different sizes are listed in the chart below.
| Household Size | 85% SMIInitial Eligibility | 85% SMIRedetermination |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | $5,216 | $5,216 |
| 3 | $6,443 | $6,443 |
| 4 | $7,670 | $7,670 |
| 5 | $8,897 | $8,897 |
| 6 | $10,124 | $10,124 |
| 7 | $10,355 | $10,355 |
| 8 | $10,585 | $10,585 |
How much is the Parent Share of Cost for child care in Texas?
Texas sets a Parent Share of Cost on a sliding scale based on family size and gross monthly income. The state sets a maximum monthly amount for each family size, equal to 7% of the applicable income limit.2 For example, the maximum monthly share for a family of three is $451 per month.
| Family size | Maximum parent share of cost |
|---|---|
| 2 | $365 |
| 3 | $451 |
| 4 | $537 |
| 5 | $623 |
| 6 | $709 |
| 7 | $725 |
| 8 | $741 |
Your local workforce board sets your actual share, which may be lower. Some boards may also reduce copays for families using Texas Rising Star 4-star providers.
How do I apply for child care assistance in Texas?
Eligibility requirements may vary by providers. Depending on what part of the state you live in, find your local Workforce Solutions office to access the availability of assistance or waitlist application.
Workforce Solutions
Financial Aid Support Center
(713) 334-5980
Sources & notes
Data and figures on this page come from the sources and notes below:
Footnotes
-
40 TAC §809.50 . Texas Administrative Code, Title 40, via Cornell Legal Information Institute. ↩
-
Texas Workforce Commission, Income Eligibility Limits and Maximum Parent Share of Cost, Board Contract Year 2026 . ↩
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