NOTICE: Effective Tuesday, May 12, 2026, the DC Child Care Subsidy Program has a waitlist for new applicants. Families that apply for the program and are found eligible will be assigned a priority group on the waitlist. Children eligible under Priority Group 1 (children under protective services and children experiencing homelessness) are permitted to enroll in the program and receive subsidies.
Families currently enrolled in the DC Child Care Subsidy Program will continue to receive subsidies as long as they remain eligible and complete the redetermination process. Click here for more information on the waitlist.
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About the 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.
The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) implemented a waitlist for the DC Child Care Subsidy Program effective Tuesday, May 12, 2026. DC families may continue to apply to receive child care subsidies by completing and submitting an application for the DC Child Care Subsidy Program.
The application is used to determine a family’s eligibility. While the waitlist is in effect, families determined eligible are assigned a priority group based on their eligibility classification. Families assigned a priority group that is open for enrollment can enroll in the DC Child Care Subsidy Program and choose from a wide range of licensed child development facilities or select an in-home care provider. The DC Child Care Subsidy Program will pay all or part of the family’s child care costs directly to their child development facility or in-home provider. Depending on income, families may be required to pay a portion of the cost of child care directly to the facility.
Families currently receiving child care subsidies may continue to receive subsidies while the waitlist is in effect, as long as they remain eligible and complete the redetermination process. They may also add siblings to their case. Siblings will not be assigned to a priority group on the waitlist; they can enroll in subsidized child care services as soon as they are added to the family’s case.
Additional information about the DC Child Care Subsidy Program can be found below or at www.osse.dc.gov/subsidy.
Eligibility
Eligibility for child care subsidies is based on an assessment of need and income. Most families qualify for child care subsidies by meeting income 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, child care assistance is also available for:
- Families who receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits;
- Participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) program;
- Families engaged in job search through a District agency;
- Recipients of unemployment insurance benefits;
- Children in foster care or under protective services;
- Children with disabilities
- Children of adult with disabilities;
- Children of teen parents;
- Children in the care of an elder caregiver;
- Children enrolled in Head Start, Early Head Start or the Quality Improvement Network (QIN);
- Children experiencing homelessness;
- Children in families experiencing domestic/family violence; or
- Children of parent(s) or guardian(s) participating in addiction recovery programs.
Applying for Child Care Subsidy Program
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.
- Online: Click this link to complete an application and upload supporting documents. After a family submits a completed application, they will receive an email notification 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.
- In person at DHS: Families can apply at a DHS service center. Families who wish to apply in person are encouraged to gather supporting documents and complete the application found here in advance of their visit.
- 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 p.m. 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, walk-in visits are not offered at this location.
- Virginia Williams Family Resource Center – 64 New York 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, walk-in visits are not offered at this location.
- Congress Heights Service Center – 4049 South Capitol St. SW
- In person at an authorized Level II child care provider facility: Families can visit a facility that is authorized to complete the child care subsidy intake process. A list of authorized Level II facilities is available here. Families who complete the application process at an authorized Level II child care provider facility must enroll their child at that facility. Families who wish to apply in person are encouraged to print and complete the application found here in advance of their visit. Please note that families who wish to enroll their children in multiple, separate providers may not apply at a Level II child care provider facility but must apply online or at DHS.
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.