DC Child Care Subsidy Program
The Child Care Subsidy Program helps DC families pay for the cost of child care. The program supports families with low and moderate incomes to access high-quality education and care in DC.
Additional information about the Child Care Subsidy Program can be found below or at www.osse.dc.gov/subsidy.
How does the Child Care Subsidy Program work?
Families that apply for the Child Care Subsidy Program and meet the eligibility criteria receive support paying for child care at a licensed child development facility that accepts subsidies. The Child Care Subsidy Program will pay all or part of the family’s child care costs directly to their child care provider. The family may be required to pay a portion of the childcare cost to the childcare provider, based on their household income.
Who is eligible to receive assistance from the Child Care Subsidy Program?
Eligibility for the Child Care Subsidy Program is based on an assessment of need, income, and family size. Most families qualify for the program by meeting income eligibility requirements and demonstrating a need for child care while the child’s parent(s) or primary caregiver(s) are at work or in school. In addition to income-eligible working families, the following people are eligible for the Child Care Subsidy Program:
- Families who receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits and participate in education and training in accordance with their Individual Responsibility Plans (IRPs);
- Families not receiving TANF, who are pursuing additional education or training to improve employment opportunities and prospects;
- Participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) program;
- Children in foster care or under protective services;
- Children with disabilities;
- Children of adults with disabilities;
- Children of teen parents;
- Children of older caregivers;
- Children enrolled in Head Start, Early Head Start, or the Quality Improvement Network (QIN);
- Children of recipients of vocational rehabilitation services;
- Children experiencing homelessness;
- Children in families experiencing domestic/family violence; or
Children with a parent(s) or guardian(s) participating in addiction recovery programs.
How do I apply?
Families can apply for the Child Care Subsidy Program in person or online.
Completing the application in person
Families can apply for the Child Care Subsidy Program in person at DHS or a Level II childcare provider site.
DHS Child Care Services Division (CCSD) locations:
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Congress Heights Service Center – 4049 South Capitol St. SW
Walk-in visits are available for new applicants on a first-come, first-served basis from 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Appointments are offered from 7:30 a.m.-3:30 on Thursday and Friday. To schedule an appointment, call (202) 727-0284. -
Taylor Street Service Center – 1207 Taylor St. NW
Appointments are offered from 7:30 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. on Monday through Friday. To schedule an appointment, call (202) 576-8776. Please note, that walk-in visits are not offered at this location. -
Virginia Williams Family Resource Center – 920 Rhode Island Ave. NE
Families experiencing homelessness can make an appointment between 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. on Monday or Wednesday. To schedule an appointment, call (202) 727-7659. Please note, that walk-in visits are not offered at this location.
Level II child care providers sites:
- Level II childcare providers are authorized to complete the childcare subsidy intake process. A list of Level II childcare providers is available here. Families that complete the application at a Level II child care provider site must plan to enroll their child at that site.
Families who complete the application process in person are encouraged to print and complete the application found here in advance of their visit. Free printing services are available at DC Public Libraries with a library card.
Completing the application online
Families can complete the application online. After the application is submitted, the family will receive an email from DHS acknowledging receipt. DHS will review the application and follow up with the family if any required documentation is missing. Complete applications will be reviewed for eligibility. DHS will connect families who are found eligible to an assigned eligibility worker.
Where can eligible families enroll in child care?
Families that are found eligible for the Child Care Subsidy Program can enroll their child at a licensed child development facility that accepts subsidies. A list of child development facilities that enroll families participating in the Child Care Subsidy Program is available on My Child Care DC. Families can also use My Child Care DC to search for care based on hours of operation if they are in need of non-traditional care (e.g., child care provided outside the hours of 7 a.m.- 6 p.m. on Monday – Friday, weekends, and holidays).
Families may also use subsidies to pay for child care provided by an in-home care provider. An in-home care provider is a provider selected by the family to care for the child in the child’s home. In-home care providers must enter into agreement with OSSE to participate in the Child Care Subsidy Program after the family has been determined eligible for the Child Care Subsidy Program.
Where can families get support connecting to child care?
Families who need support to complete the application or find a child development facility should contact DC Child Care Connections at (202) 829-2500 or [email protected]. DC CCC offers support to families at no cost.