Can I get “income-eligible” (low-income) child care when my homeless voucher stops?

To get income-eligible child care, you have to meet certain rules. The rules are different for families with special needs and families that do not have special needs.

“Special needs” families

You are a special needs family if:

• You are disabled;
• Your child is disabled; or
• You are over 65 years old.

Any kind of disability counts as a “special need.” You can prove a disability with a copy of your child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP), a letter from a health care provider, medical records, or proof of SSI or SSDI. 

If you are a special needs family, you only have to meet the income limits. You do not have to meet the activity rules. You can get income-eligible child care if your income is less than the following amounts:

For larger families, look at a different chart.

Families that are not “special needs” have to meet activity rules and income limits

1. If your family is not “special needs,” you have to meet activity rules:

   You must do one of the following for at least 20 hours/week:

   1. Spend 20 hours a week looking for a job;
   2. Spend 20 hours a week working; or
   3. Spend 20 hours a week going to an approved education or training program. Graduate and professional schools do not count.

   If you are living with your child's other parent, you both must meet the activity rules.

2. Also, your income must be less than the following amounts:

For larger families, look at a different chart.