New York Expands Child Care Assistance Program to Help More Families

What you should know

New York raised the child care eligibility limit to the federal maximum, as well as capped child care costs and increased allowable absences for families in the Child Care Assistance Program(CCAP, for its acronym in English). This measure, part of a $7.6 billion investment in child care Over four years, it increases CCAP eligibility from 300 percent of the federal poverty level, $83,250 for a family of four, to 85 percent of the state median income, or $93,200 for a family of four. With this change, more than 100,000 additional families will be able to receive help from the program in New York. “As someone who faced significant challenges in pursuing my career due to the high cost of child care, I understand the stress so many families feel,” said Governor Hochul .

More families in New York will now qualify for affordable child care, Governor Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday. This by raising the child care eligibility limit to the federal maximum, as well as capping child care costs and increasing allowable absences for families in the Child Care Assistance Program(CCAP, for its acronym in English).

This measure, part of a $7.6 billion investment in child care Over four years, it increases CCAP eligibility from 300 percent of the federal poverty level, $83,250 for a family of four, to 85 percent of the state median income, or $93,200 for a family of four. With this change, more than 100,000 additional families will be able to receive help from the program in New York.

“As someone who faced significant challenges pursuing my career due to the high cost of child care, I understand the strain so many families feel,” said Governor Hochul. “Through direct action we are expanding access for parents and caregivers. “Families will have greater peace of mind knowing that their children will be able to receive safe, high-quality child care when needed.”

Beginning October 1, 2023, New York State further expanded eligibility for CCAP, administered by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. Families participating in the program will have their child care costs limited to 1 percent of total family income above the poverty line. New York State has also increased the number of annual absences allowed from 24 to 80 days in an effort to standardize child care assistance across local districts.

“I am incredibly proud of the investments New York State has made, which will expand affordable child care for families by limiting copays to 1% and increasing subsidy eligibility to 85% of the state’s median income,” said the Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi.