Pay for Child Care
The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) offers child care assistance to those who qualify through Child Care Resource and Referral of Midwestern IL. We provide all the information you may need in order to apply for financial assistance, and we take care of filing paperwork with IDHS as well.
Parents who meet income eligibility requirements and are working and/or going to school are encouraged to apply for child care assistance. To find out if you or someone you know may be eligible, contact Child Care Resource and Referral of Midwestern IL or visit the IDHS Eligibility Calculator. Applications for child care assistance may be obtained online, or from the CCR&R of Midwestern IL office, local DHS office, and most licensed child care providers.
If your family makes less than 225% of the Federal Poverty Line (FPL) based on family size per month, you could qualify for the Child Care Assistance Program. Families who qualify and are approved can remain on CCAP so long as their gross monthly income doesn't exceed 275% of the Federal Poverty Line (FPL) at the time of their annual redetermination. If a family's gross monthly income is greater than 275% FPL but less than 85% of the State Median Income (SMI), they will be closed out of the Child Care Assistance Program with a 3-month graduated phase out.
An approved family whose income becomes greater than 85% of the State Median Income (SMI) during their eligibility period will be closed out of the Child Care Assistance Program with a 10-day notice.
More information on eligibility for the Child Care Assistance Program can be found in the IDHS CCAP Policy Manual.
For more information on the Child Care Assistance Program, please call or visit our Child Care Resource & Referral of Midwestern Illinois office at 309-205-3070 Option 2 or toll-free at 1-866-370-4556 Option 2 to speak with a CCAP Eligibility Specialist. A listing of contacts for service delivery areas across Illinois can be found at https://www.inccrra.org/about/sdasearch.
Do you need help locating a quality child care center or family child care professional, or deciding what type of child care is right for your family? Find more information under the "Find Child Care" section.