Child Care Assistance Program

Who Qualifies?

• Families with income less than 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL) in which the parent/caretaker relative is working or attending a RI public college/university or attending a short-term training program. The parent must be working or attending school/training for at least 20 hours/week. Once the family is receiving services, they continue to be eligible until income exceeds 300% FPL. See below for these ‘entry’ and ‘exit’ income limits.
  • Effective January 1, 2025, families with income less than 261% of FPL are eligible for CCAP.
• Short-term special-approval child care necessitated by the disability of the parent or child. Also, child care can be provided to a pregnant or parenting teen who needs child care to continue her education.
• The child must be a citizen or eligible immigrant. Eligible immigrants include lawful permanent residents (green card), refugees, persons granted asylum and other immigrants lawfully residing in the U.S.
• A pilot program, launched on August 1, 2023, makes childcare free for childcare workers by eliminating copayments for staff who work at least 20 hours/week and have family incomes up to 300% FPL ($77,460 for a household of 3). The program is accepting applications through July 31, 2025. 

Income and Resource Limits

The resource limit is $1,000,000 in liquid resources (money in the bank, money market accounts, etc.). Income must be within the limits below.

Other Program Rules

• As a condition of eligibility, the parent must cooperate with the Office of Child Support Services to establish a child support order against the non-custodial parent of the child receiving the subsidy.
• Families pay a co-payment of between 2 and 7% of gross income. Only one co-payment is required, regardless of the number of children receiving CCAP assistance.

Eligible Providers

Parent can choose any of the following type of participating provider:

• Licensed day care center
• Certified family home day care
• Approved relative, friend or neighbor

For assistance finding a provider, call BrightStars at 1-855-398-7605. Services available in English and Spanish. You may also search online at Exceed.ri.gov.

How to Apply

Apply online or fill out a paper application. For application information click here. You can also call 1 (855) 697-4347 to request an application or go to a local DHS office. No interview is required but documentation of certain information must be provided. Applicants must be notified of a decision in writing within 30 days from the date the application and required documentation is received by DHS. Families are re-certified for CCAP once a year.

Applicants who are denied CCAP and recipients who are notified that the subsidy will be reduced or terminated can request a hearing in writing within 30 days of the date on the notice. RI Legal Services (1-800-662-5034) may be able to provide assistance to families denied or terminated from CCAP.