Check if you qualify in Virginia
Enter your household size and monthly income to see if you qualify for child care subsidy in Virginia. Results are instant, nothing is stored.
For a household of 3, the limit to apply in Virginia is $8,280 a month (85% of state median income) and the limit to stay enrolled is $8,280 (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.
Virginia Child Care Subsidy Program
Child Care Subsidy Program provides financial assistance to the neediest families in Virginia to help pay for the cost of child care so they can work or attend education or training programs.
The program pays a portion of child care costs directly to the approved provider. The family is responsible for the remaining amount, known as a copayment, based on a sliding fee scale related to their income.
Families with household income below 100% of the federal poverty level pay a nominal fee of $5 per month. For other eligible households, the total monthly copayment is capped at 5% of family income.
What is the income limit for child care assistance in Virginia?
A family is considered “income eligible ” when their gross monthly income is less than 85% of the State Median Income (SMI) or about $8,280 per month for a family of three.
| Household Size | 85% SMIInitial Eligibility | 85% SMIRedetermination |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | $6,703 | $6,703 |
| 3 | $8,280 | $8,280 |
| 4 | $9,858 | $9,858 |
| 5 | $11,435 | $11,435 |
| 6 | $13,012 | $13,012 |
| 7 | $13,308 | $13,308 |
| 8 | $13,604 | $13,604 |
How much is the copayment for child care subsidy in Virginia?
Virginia charges a flat monthly copayment for each child in care, up to a maximum of three children. The copayment increases with family income, but a family’s total copayments cannot exceed 5% of its income.1
| Family income | Copayment |
|---|---|
| No income | $0 |
| ≤ 100% | $5 |
| ≤ 150% | $125 |
| ≤ 200% | $175 |
| ≤ 250% | $225 |
| ≤ 300% | $275 |
| ≤ 350% | $325 |
| ≤ 85% of SMI | $375 |
How to apply for child care subsidy in Virginia?
The easiest way to apply for child care subsidy is through CommonHelp , or in person at your Local Department of Social Services (LDSS).
Because funding is limited, some families may be placed on a waiting list.2 Families are encouraged to apply even if a waiting list is in place.
Virginia Department of Social Services
Child Care Subsidy Program
(800) 552-3431
Sources & notes
Data and figures on this page come from the sources and notes below:
Footnotes
-
Virginia Department of Education, Child Care Subsidy Program (CCSP) Per-Child Copayment Amounts by Family Income , updated September 2, 2026. ↩
-
VPM . Long waitlist for subsidized child care to continue into FY26 ↩
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