Child Care Subsidies

What is the DC Child Care Subsidy Program?

The Child Care Subsidy Program, also known as child care vouchers or child care subsidies, helps DC families with low and moderate incomes, as well as those with special circumstances that create a need for child care assistance, to pay for the cost of child care. The DC Child Care Subsidy Program pays all or part of the cost of child care for eligible families directly to the child care provider. Depending on income, a family may be required to pay a portion of the cost to the provider.

Who is eligible to receive child care subsidies?

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.

More information on eligibility requirements can be found in Section 2 of the  DC Child Care Subsidy Program Policy Manual. The list of acceptable supporting documents required to apply for the DC Child Care Subsidy Program can be found in Section 3.2. Families with additional questions should contact the Department of Human Services (DHS) or an authorized Level II child care provider to determine if they meet requirements for one of the eligible groups above.

Where and how do I apply to receive child care subsidies?

There are multiple ways to apply for the DC Child Care Subsidy Program. Families may choose to apply via the method that best works for them. However, families in need of child care services during non-traditional hours (e.g., child care services provided outside the hours of 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, including early morning, evening, overnight and weekend child care), families who want to enroll multiple children with different child care providers (e.g., an infant in a child development home and a school-aged child with an out of school time provider), and families who want to enroll with an in-home care provider must apply online or in person at DHS. More information on how and where to apply is below.

1. 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.


2. 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.  Free printing services are available at DC Public Libraries with a library card.


1. Congress Heights Service Center – 4049 South Capitol St. SW
   

   Walk-in visits are available for new applicants on a first come, first serve 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.



3. In person at a 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 Level II facilities is available here. Families who complete the application process at a 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.  Free printing services are available at DC Public Libraries with a library card. 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 I direct questions or get support to complete the application?

Support is available to families who have questions or need assistance completing the application. Families may visit DHS or a Level II child care provider facility in person for support or contact  DC Child Care Connections  at (202) 829-2500 or [email protected].

How do I submit a complaint?

To submit a complaint related to the DC Child Care Subsidy Program application or determination process email [email protected]. Families that want to appeal a Notice of Denial should follow the appeal process found in Section 11 (page 37) of the DC Child Care Subsidy Program Policy Manual.

Click here for more information about the DC Child Care Subsidy Program and how apply for child care assistance.