Eligibility income limits, co-pays, raised for RI Child Care Assistance Program

RI DHS Raises Eligibility Income Limits for Child Care Assistance Program

Governor Dan McKee and Rhode Island Department of Human Services Director Kimberly Merolla-Brito announced an increase to the eligibility income limits for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). As part of the signed 2024 state budget, Rhode Island working families earning up to 261% of the federal poverty level (FPL) are able to apply and receive subsidies to help cover the cost of high-quality child care at any DHS licensed, CCAP approved child care center or family child care program.

The increase in the income limits will allow more families to be eligible for CCAP subsidies, helping ensure working families continue to have access to child care as wages, including state and federal minimum wages, increase.

For a family of three, the updated income limit means a households may earn up to $69,557, up from $51,640, and be eligible for CCAP.

The income limit is based on a family’s household size. The chart below shows the new income limit for household sizes of 2, 3 or 4 people. A family income and copay chart with additional household sizes can be found on the CCAP webpage online. 

Household Size & Income Limit (261% FPL)

“I’m hopeful that more families will be able to take advantage of the critical child care resources available,” said Gov. McKee. “Access to child care is an important economic driver that empowers parents to join the economy, supports our child care providers, and prepares children for their academic future.”

“Raising the income limits will bring needed relief for families who are depending on child care in order to go to work or school,” said DHS Director Merolla-Brito. “This is an important investment on their behalf.”

DHS applied this new income limit for any family who applied for CCAP starting January 1, 2025, in alignment with the requirement set in FY25 budget.

The income level increases for CCAP eligibility from 200% FPL to 261% FPL. The change, combined with other improvements to the CCAP program, such as the 7% cap on co-pays, over the last five years demonstrate a longstanding commitment to the child care sector from the current administration as well as the General Assembly.

Families interested in applying for CCAP can complete an application through the Customer Portal (healthyrhode.ri.gov) or submit a completed DHS-2 paper application. Paper applications can be put in any of the secure drop boxes located at DHS’s regional offices. The drop boxes are checked once daily on weekdays, excluding holidays. 

The window for DHS to process CCAP applications is 30 days. Customers can check the status of their application via the self-service options through the Call Center at 1-855-MY-RIDHS (1-855-697-4337). Families who previously applied for CCAP and were not eligible because they earned more than 200% of the FPL, but under the current 261% FPL threshold, are strongly encouraged to reapply.

Households determined eligible for CCAP will receive a voucher to cover full or partial child care expenses at licensed, CCAP approved child care centers or family child care programs. Additional eligibility information is available online: https://dhs.ri.gov/programs-and-services/child-care/child-care-assistance-program-ccap/ccap-family-eligibility-how