Programs and services

• Family size and family income determine whether the family is income eligible and amount of the family copayment
• Adults must participate in authorized activities - child care costs may be paid while adults work, look for work or attend school
• Age of child(ren) - CCAP can help families pay child care costs for children through age 12 and for children with special needs through age 14
• Child care provider selected must be a licensed or license-exempt provider age 18 or older
• Families must cooperate with child support requirements for all children who have a parent living outside their home.

For families not currently or recently (within the past 12 months) participating in MFIP or DWP, the amount of available funding also may be a factor. In some Minnesota counties, there is a waiting list (PDF) for families to receive Basic Sliding Fee child care assistance.

For more information, see the brochure Do you need help paying for child care? (PDF).

Contact your county human services office or local contracted agency to apply for child care assistance. You have three options when completing an application:

• Apply online at MNbenefits.mn.gov.
• Fill out the Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program Application (PDF). Mail or bring the completed form to your county human services office or local contracted agency.
  The application is also available in:
  • Hmong - Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program Application (PDF)
  • Russian - Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program Application (PDF)
  • Somali - Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program Application (PDF)
  • Spanish - Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program Application (PDF)
  • Vietnamese - Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program Application (PDF)

• Fill out the Combined Application Form (PDF) and the Combined Application – Child Care Addendum (PDF) if you need child care, cash and/or food assistance. Mail or bring the completed forms to your county human services office or local contracted agency.

All families receiving child care assistance and earning 75% or more of the Federal Poverty Guideline make copayments based on their gross income and family size. Counties use these copayment schedules (PDF).

You may choose a child care center or a family child care home. Family or friends who meet certain requirements can also be child care providers through the child care assistance program. The provider you choose must register with the county where you live. There are maximum amounts that the child care assistance program can pay providers for caring for children. Providers who meet certain quality standards can be paid 15 or 20 percent more. Search for a quality provider in your area.