America's child care subsidy, in plain English
The Child Care and Development Fund, usually shortened to CCDF, is the federal program that helps low-income families in the United States pay for child care so parents can work or attend education or training. It is the largest federal child care subsidy program in the country. The federal government provides the money and sets the national rules, but each state, territory, and participating Tribe runs its own program: it sets its own income limits (within the federal ceiling), its own copayments, and its own payment rates for providers. That is why two families with the same income can get very different help depending on where they live, and why every page on this site tells you which rules are federal and which are set by your state.
CCDF in one paragraph
If your child is under 13, your family income is at or below 85% of your state's median income, your family assets are no more than $1,000,000, and the parents are working or in education or training (or the child is receiving or needs protective services), your child may qualify. Your state agency decides the details: it may set a lower income limit, it sets your copayment, and it pays the provider directly or through a voucher you can take to a provider of your choice. Once you are found eligible, your child stays eligible for at least 12 months even if your work hours change temporarily, and at redetermination a graduated phase-out protects families whose income has risen but is still at or below 85% of the state median income. You apply through your state or territory child care agency, not through the federal government.
The federal rules at a glance
| Item | Federal rule |
|---|---|
| Child's age | Under 13; under 19 if the child cannot care for themselves or is under court supervision |
| Family income ceiling | At or below 85% of state median income for a family of the same size |
| Family assets | No more than $1,000,000 |
| Parent activity | Working, or attending job training or an education program; or the child receives or needs protective services |
| Minimum eligibility period | 12 months, regardless of temporary changes in work, training, or education |
| Job-search protection | At least 3 months of continued assistance if a parent permanently loses work or training |
| Quality spending | At least 9% of funds on quality improvement, plus 3% for infant and toddler quality |
| Administration cap | No more than 5% of funds on administration |
How big is the program?
In fiscal year 2021, CCDF served 1.31 million children in an average month, according to the Administration for Children and Families' report on states' and territories' priorities for child care services. In fiscal year 2019, before the pandemic disrupted child care use, the program served about 1.40 million children and 857,700 families per month, and 40% of the families served were below the federal poverty level. These are national averages: your state's program may be larger or smaller, and many states have waiting lists because funding does not cover every eligible family. If your state has a waiting list, apply anyway and ask about priority groups, because families in priority categories are often served first.
What CCDF is, and what it is not
| CCDF is | CCDF is not |
|---|---|
| A subsidy that lowers what your family pays for child care | Free child care for every family, or a cash payment to parents |
| Run by your state, territory, or Tribal agency under federal rules | A single national program with one application and one set of rates |
| Available for licensed centers, family child care homes, and other eligible providers | Available for any babysitter, with no health and safety standards |
| Stable for at least 12 months once you qualify | Guaranteed to everyone who meets the federal income ceiling |
| Paid mostly through vouchers you take to a provider of your choice | A payment you must spend at a provider the state assigns you |
How this site is organized
Start with what CCDF is for the shape of the program and its history, then who qualifies for the federal eligibility tests. Copayments explains what families pay, including the rise and fall of the federal 7% copayment cap. State rules explains lead agencies, state plans, and why your state's numbers differ from the federal ceilings. How to apply walks through the application, 12-month eligibility covers stability, job loss, and the graduated phase-out, providers and payment explains how providers are paid, priority groups covers who gets served first, other support covers programs that sit alongside CCDF, and problems and FAQ collects the common traps and the questions families ask most.
Sources: Administration for Children and Families, Child Care and Development Fund guidance and state plan materials; ACF, CCDF Report on States' and Territories' Priorities for Child Care Services, Fiscal Year 2022 (FY 2021 caseload); ACF, Characteristics of Families Served by CCDF (FY 2019); 45 CFR Part 98, Child Care and Development Fund.