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.

Where can I use child care subsidies?
Families can use child care subsidies to pay for care at a licensed child development facility that accepts subsidies. Families can find a list of child development facilities that accept subsidies using MyChildCare.dc.gov or by contacting DC Child Care Connections at (202) 829-2500 or osse.dcchildcareconnections@dc.gov.

Families may also use child care 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 the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) to participate in the DC Child Care Subsidy Program after the family has been determined eligible for child care subsidies. In-home providers must undergo a background check and receive training in health and safety topics.

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 (page 8) of the DC Child Care Subsidy Program Policy Manual. 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.

What is the maximum income allowed for subsidy benefits?
Families with incomes up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) may be eligible to receive child care subsidies if they meet other eligibility criteria. Income requirements for child care subsidies are available here.

The exact income level at which a family qualifies for subsidies depends on total family income and family size. In addition to income, families must meet other requirements to receive child care subsidies. Once a family qualifies for a subsidy, they can maintain the subsidy even if their income increases—up to 85 percent of DC Median Income, or $134,160 for a family of four.

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.

• Online: Click this link to submit an application. After a family submits an 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 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

• 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 osse.dcchildcareconnections@dc.gov.

What documents do I need to provide as part of the application for child care subsidies?
As part of the application, families must provide documentation that supports the child’s eligibility. Documentation may be original or legible copies, including electronic copies. A single document may be used to verify multiple eligibility criteria. For more information on documented required to for the application, see Section 3.2 (page 15) of the DC Child Care Subsidy Program Policy Manual.

Do I have to submit information for the “other parent” in my application?
Applicants with a two-parent household are required to submit income information and evidence of a qualifying need for both parents in the home. If the other parent does not reside in the same home as the child, but their whereabouts are known, the other parent must be listed on the application. If the whereabouts of the other parent is unknown, their income information is not required.

What happens after I submit my application for the DC Child Care Subsidy Program?
After a family submits an application for the DC Child Care Subsidy Program, the application will be reviewed for completeness.

If a family submits an incomplete application, an eligibility worker will contact them to request more information. The family will have 30 days to submit the required documents.

If a family submits a complete application including all necessary supporting documentation, an eligibility worker will review the documentation and determine the family’s eligibility. The process that follows depends on how the family submitted the application.

• If the application was submitted online or at DHS and the family is found eligible for child care subsidies, the family will receive an admission form to sign and submit to their selected provider no later than the first day the child attends the facility or is enrolled in the DC Child Care Subsidy Program. The admission form indicates the family’s information, child development facility name, family co-payment, and service start date. The provider must sign the form and return it to DHS within 24 hours after the child is admitted to the facility.
• If the application was submitted at a Level II child care provider site and the family is found eligible for child cares subsidies, the family can start attending the facility. No admission form is required.
• If the application was submitted online, at DHS or at a Level II child care provider facility and the family is found ineligible for child care subsidies, the family will be notified they are ineligible and provided a reason for the decision. A family’s may be found ineligible if they do not satisfy all eligibility requirements, fail to provide all required documentation, or provide information that is found to be false. The family may appeal the decision. More information on the appeal process can be found in Section 11 (page 37) of the DC Child Care Subsidy Program Policy Manual.

Can I enroll my children at different providers?
Yes. families who wish to have a child(ren) enroll or attend multiple facilities must complete the application online or in person at DHS.

Can my family use an in-home care provider?
Yes. As of Oct. 1, 2024, families are not required to attempt to enroll in a licensed facility prior to selecting in-home care. Families may indicate in their application (see Section 9: In-Home Caregiver Information) that they want to use in-home care in the child’s home. If the family is found eligible, their eligibility worker will inform OSSE of the name of the in-home care provider identified by the family. OSSE will then confirm that the in-home care provider meets all requirements outlined in the In-Home Care policy and will send the provider the Subsidy Child Care Provider Agreement to sign. At this time, the family will receive an admission form to sign and submit to the in-home care provider no later than the first day care is provided in the child’s home. The admission form indicates the family’s information, the in-home care provider name, family co-payment, and service start date. The in-home care provider must sign the form and return it to DHS within 24 hours after the first day care is provided in the child’s home. In-home providers must undergo a background check and receive training in health and safety topics.

Families that are already using child care subsidies to pay for child care at a licensed facility and want to change to placement to an in-home care provider or use in-home care for non-traditional services should contact their eligibility worker.

Can my family change child care providers if we are paying for child care using subsidies?
Yes. Families receiving child care subsidies may request to change providers. Before the family requests a change, they should confirm that the licensed subsidized child care provider where they would like to enroll has available slots for their child(ren). After the family confirms their desired provider has availability, the family may request a change by calling DHS at (202) 727-0284 or going to DHS in person. A DHS eligibility worker will update the child’s assignment and notify the provider where the child is currently receiving services that services will end. The DHS eligibility worker will send the new provider an Admission Form no later than the first day the child attends the facility. The provider and the applicant must sign the form and the provider must return it to DHS within five calendar days after the child is admitted to the facility.

If I work nights and/or weekends, can I use child care subsidies to pay for child care?
Yes, some child development facilities participating in the DC Child Care Subsidy Program offer services on evenings, nights, and weekends (also known as non-traditional hours care, which includes child care services provided outside the hours of 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday). You can find more information about evening, night, and weekend care options by searching on MyChildCare.dc.gov or contacting DC Child Care Connections at (202) 829-2500 or osse.dcchildcareconnections@dc.gov. Families may also select an in-home child care provider if this option best meets their needs (information on how to request in-home care is above). Families that need child care services during non-traditional hours or would like to use in-home care must apply online or at DHS.

Do I still have to pay for child care services if my family is eligible for the DC Child Care Subsidy Program?
Families that are eligible for the DC Child Care Subsidy Program may be required to pay co-payments, depending on family income. Families will be informed of the cost of their co-payment after they are approved for services. The co-payments apply to the two oldest children receiving child care. Families pay co-payments directly to the provider where their child(ren) is/are enrolled. Eligibility workers will assist families to understand co-payment requirements. A family’s co-payment cannot increase during the 12-month eligibility period.

How do I submit a complaint?
To submit a complaint related to the DC Child Care Subsidy Program application or determination process email OSSE.Subsidy@dc.gov. 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.