How do I apply for child care assistance if I am a low-income parent?

I have two children under the age of 18 months and I need to go back to work since I have been out of work to take care of my babies. Daycare costs a lot of money for babies and someone had told me once to apply for child care assistance and that it would help me dramatically. How would I go about applying? Where would I go? Do I have to pay up-front costs? How does this work? If anybody has any answers it would be greatly appreciated on my part. THANK YOU in advance.

Public Comments

1. call your local welfare office


2. i heard something about this too! But i'm not sure exactly how it works. Since it is assistance I don't think there are any upfront costs. Try calling your local DFCS office. I'm sure they can help.


3. Go to the welfare department. They have resources, numbers, and/or applications for it! I know that when my friend tried to get it there was a waiting list...unless she went on food stamps and/or cash aid. So, you may want to apply for food stamps as well!


4. Go to your local Health & Human Resources Department.

   They have programs that can help you with the cost of child care - in WV the program is called Title 20.



5. You must be white if you don't know this.


6. Go to your Family Services dept. in your state. You apply by filling out an application, showing proof of income, proof of bills such as utilities and rent ,and a couple of things. It usually takes 30 days to get started. You need to find a daycare that takes Title 20 (childcare assistance) and get signed up with them before you can be approved. You pay a percentage of what the childcare costs. My friend's childcare is $147.00 a week, and she pays $84.00 a month of that cost. What you pay is based on what you make. You have to have a job or be in school before you can apply for assistance and must show proof of your hours, usually by getting the employer or school to fill out a form. This is all depending on what state you are in. I'm in Ohio and that is how it works here.


7. look into it online- that is how i found it. my county has its own office for it.. there was a waiting list for mine i searched (my county) federal block grant child care assistance. it took me a while to find it but it helps a ton. .. if you are going to have irregular schedule i would advise you chhose a home vs a center b/c with the center theywill end up charging you ft spot if that is what you are holding even if you are only using them pt- the grant will only pay for what you use (make sence) but hen you will be responsible for the difference .. we have had to do a couple hundred a few times :( just follow the guidelines as clostly as possible! good luck!


8. Go to your local department of human services office. Ask for a application and how long it will take to get approved. U will qualify! They give u so many hours a week that they will pay for and if u go over u pay the difference. Talk to someone at dhs they can explain more about it to u.


9. call your local department of public welfare or family services

   they will tell you where to apply

   each state is a little different



10. Go to the state help department.