Child Care Subsidy

Overview

The Child Care Subsidy Program provides low-income families with information and financial resources to find and afford quality childcare for their children. Resources enable families to make informed choices regarding childcare providers. The North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education provides a lot of valuable information for parents.

Parents may find information on how to select the right childcare center by visiting Health and Human Services. Parents may also search for child care facilities by name, permit type (one star, two star, etc), location, subsidy acceptance, etc. To begin your search, visit the Division of Child Development and Early Education.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible applicants must: (one or more must pertain)

• Be experiencing crisis
• Be in school or enrolled in a job-training program
• Be working
• Have a child receiving protective services
• Have a child with developmental delays
• Meet income requirements
• Need child care to support child welfare services
• Subsidies are based on eligibility, the need for childcare, and the availability of funds

Application Process

Parents must apply for childcare services through the Orange County DSS Hillsborough Commons. When the family is approved for childcare subsidy, the county Department of Social Services issues a Child Day Care Voucher for each eligible child. 

The voucher indicates that the child is eligible for a subsidized care payment and notifies the childcare provider of the hours that childcare is needed and whether the parent is responsible for a portion of the fee. A waiting list is formed once funds have been depleted.