The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) is designed to support families by making quality child care more affordable. This program recognizes the importance of both parental employment or participation in education and training programs and the well-being of children. If you’re exploring options for application assistance and kid care training programs, understanding CCAP eligibility is your first step. This guide breaks down the key criteria to help you determine if your family qualifies for this valuable support.
Core Eligibility Requirements for CCAP
To be eligible for CCAP, families must meet specific criteria, ensuring that assistance reaches those who need it most. These requirements fall into several key categories:
Allowable Activities: Participation in CCAP is contingent upon engaging in what the program defines as allowable activities. These primarily include:
- Employment: This encompasses both traditional paid employment and self-employment. Whether you work for a company or run your own business, working qualifies as an allowable activity.
- Education or Training Programs: Investing in your future through education or job training is also supported. Enrollment in recognized educational or training programs makes you eligible for CCAP.
Temporary Allowable Activity: Recognizing the challenges some families face, CCAP includes a temporary provision for allowable activities:
- Homelessness and Seeking Stability: Families experiencing homelessness are eligible while actively looking for employment, engaging in education or training, and seeking stable housing. This temporary measure provides crucial support during transitional periods.
Age Limits for Children: CCAP ensures support for children throughout their early years, with specific age limits:
- General Age Limit: Once a child is deemed eligible, they can receive CCAP services until the end of the eligibility period in which they turn 13 years old. This provides sustained support through crucial developmental stages.
- Special Needs Exception: Children with special needs may qualify for CCAP up to the age of 19. This extended eligibility acknowledges the ongoing care and support required for children with special needs.
Asset Limits: To ensure that CCAP benefits families with genuine financial need, there are asset limits in place:
- Maximum Asset Value: A family’s total assets cannot exceed $1,000,000. This criterion focuses assistance on families who do not possess substantial financial resources.
Income Limits: Income is a primary factor in determining CCAP eligibility. Monthly income must fall below specific thresholds:
- Income Thresholds: Monthly income from all sources, including wages, child support, pensions, and veteran’s benefits, must be less than the CCAP income limits. These limits are based on family size to accommodate varying needs.
Copayment Responsibilities: In most instances, families participating in CCAP are required to contribute a copayment:
- Sliding Fee Scale: Copayments are calculated on a sliding fee scale, taking into account family income and household size. This ensures that copayments are affordable and proportionate to a family’s financial capacity.
- Copay Calculator: To estimate your potential copayment, you can utilize the Worksheet for Calculating Copay. This tool helps families understand their potential contribution to child care costs.
Child Care Workforce Benefit: An Added Advantage for Child Care Professionals
For those working in the field of child care, CCAP offers a unique benefit designed to support the workforce that nurtures our children:
Benefits for Employees of Licensed Child Care Providers: If you are employed by a licensed child care provider, you may be eligible for additional benefits through CCAP.
- Coverage of Child Care Costs: Eligible employees can receive payments for their child care costs, potentially up to the full-time state maximum rate. This significant benefit can greatly alleviate the financial burden of child care for child care professionals.
- Copayment Waiver: Furthermore, employees qualifying for this benefit will have their CCAP copayment waived, providing additional financial relief.
Eligibility Criteria for Workforce Benefit: To qualify for the Child Care Workforce Benefit, specific conditions apply:
- Residency: You must live in North Dakota.
- Employment in Licensed Child Care: You must be employed by a licensed child care provider within North Dakota.
- Minimum Work Hours: A minimum of 25 hours per week of employment is required.
- CCAP Basic Eligibility: You must meet the general Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) eligibility requirements, with a key exception regarding income limits. The workforce benefit is available regardless of income level, recognizing the vital role of child care workers.
Enrollment Information:
- Income Information Required: Although the benefit is income-agnostic, providing household income information is necessary for application processing and program evaluation. This data helps assess the effectiveness and reach of the benefit.
Understanding CCAP Income Limits
Income limits are a crucial aspect of CCAP eligibility. The table below outlines the maximum monthly income a household can earn to qualify for the program. These figures are before taxes and are effective from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025.
Important Note for Existing CCAP Families: Families who were receiving CCAP benefits before July 1, 2024, and whose state median income falls between 75% to 85% will be eligible for an extended 18-month period of benefits at their next review.
Don’t Self-Disqualify – Apply Anyway! Even if you are uncertain about meeting all the criteria, you are strongly encouraged to apply for CCAP. Circumstances vary, and applying is the best way to determine your eligibility definitively.
| Family Size (Adults and Children) | Maximum Monthly Income |
|---|---|
| 2 | $5,231 |
| 3 | $6,462 |
| 4 | $7,694 |
| 5 | $8,924 |
| 6 | $10,155 |
| 7 | $10,386 |
| 8 | $10,617 |
CCAP aims to ensure that families have access to affordable child care, enabling parents to work or pursue education and training while providing a nurturing environment for their children. By understanding the eligibility criteria, you can take the first step towards accessing this valuable program and ensuring your child receives quality care and early childhood education opportunities.
