Vouchers that help cover the cost of child care for children 6 weeks to 13 years old
Child Care Vouchers | NYC Administration for Children’s Services (ACS)
1. How it Works
Child care vouchers help cover the cost of child care for children 6 weeks to 13 years old. Children with disabilities up to 19 years old are also covered. Hundreds of home-based and center-based providers across NYC accept child care vouchers and offer child care services in safe and positive learning environments.
Vouchers cover some or all of your child care costs. Most families are required to pay part of the costs based on their income and family size. Your voucher will cover all of the costs if you are:
a family on cash assistance
a family experiencing homelessness
a foster care parent
You can use a voucher to pay for child care from licensed/regulated providers and approved informal providers like relatives, neighbors, or friends.
Your child can enter a child care program any time during the year.
Eligibility is based on your family’s income, size, and other needs.
Parents are not required to be U.S. citizens. However, the child receiving care must be a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national, or have satisfactory immigration status.
Voucher availability is dependent upon funding.
2. Determine your eligibility
You may qualify for a voucher if your household gets Cash Assistance or is experiencing homelessness. You may also qualify if your household earns less than the incomes shown below:
If your family size is 1, your monthly income must be at or below $4,301 and your yearly income must be at or below $51,610.
If your family size is 2, your monthly income must be at or below $5,624 and your yearly income must be at or below $67,490.
If your family size is 3, your monthly income must be at or below $6,948 and your yearly income must be at or below $83,370.
If your family size is 4, your monthly income must be at or below $8,271 and your yearly income must be at or below $99,250.
If your family size is 5, your monthly income must be at or below $9,594 and your yearly income must be at or below $115,130.
If your family size is 6, your monthly income must be at or below $10,918 and your yearly income must be at or below $131,010.
If your family size is 7, your monthly income must be at or below $11,166 and your yearly income must be at or below $133,987.
If your family size is 8, your monthly income must be at or below $11,414 and your yearly income must be at or below $136,965.
If your family size is 9, your monthly income must be at or below $11,662 and your yearly income must be at or below $139,942.
If your family size is 10, your monthly income must be at or below $11,910 and your yearly income must be at or below $142,920.
If your family size is 11, your monthly income must be at or below $12,158 and your yearly income must be at or below $145,897.
If your family size is 12, your monthly income must be at or below $12,406 and your yearly income must be at or below $148,875.
If your family size is 13, your monthly income must be at or below $12,654 and your yearly income must be at or below $151,852.
If your family size is 14, your monthly income must be at or below $12,903 and your yearly income must be at or below $154,830.
If your family size is 15, your monthly income must be at or below $13,151 and your yearly income must be at or below $157,807.
You also need to have one of these “reasons for care”:
You work 10+ hours per week
You are in an educational or vocational training program
You have been looking for work
You live in temporary housing (priority access)
You are attending services for domestic violence
You are receiving treatment for substance abuse
3. How to apply
Here are your options.
Apply online
Apply using the MyCity app.
Apply by mail
Download and complete the application form.
Mail your completed forms and documents to:
NYC Children – EDU
PO Box 40, Maplewood, NJ 07040
If you are one of these groups, see special instructions for applying for child care vouchers:
A family experiencing homelessness
A family receiving or was on Cash Assistance
A family receiving child welfare services
A working foster parent