Eligibility for Subsidized Child Care

• Through Child Protective Services Program (CPS) referral from a medical, legal, or social service agency.
• Through current or recent (last 24 months) participation in CalWORKs.
• By establishing income eligibility — the gross family income must be within certain income limits set by the Federal and State Government.

Here are the guidelines (dollar amount indicates per-month income):

These dollar amounts are current as of July 2022

For most programs, families must also demonstrate a child care need. Need is defined as child care services needed for any of the following reasons (not all apply to every family):

• The parent or caretaker is employed
• The parent or caretaker is seeking employment
• The parent or caretaker is in vocational training leading directly to a trade, profession, or para-profession
• The parent or caretaker is homeless and seeking permanent housing
• The parent or caretaker is receiving public assistance
• The parent or caretaker is medically or psychiatrically incapacitated
• The child is abused or neglected or at risk of abuse of neglect (requires a referral)

For further information on subsidized child care, you download this tip sheet: