CCAP Helps Parents
4-C may be able to help with child care costs if...

• Children in care are under the age of 13. (Children over the age of 13 may be covered with documentation from a doctor or a court of law stating the child needs supervision); and
• Parents or guardians meet income eligibility guidelines; and
• Parents are Illinois residents, working or attending an approved education and training program.

Additional Information & Requirements

• In a 2 parent household, both parents work or attend education/training.
• The time parents work must be documented by pay-stubs or the Wage Verification Form completed by the employer.
• Parents attending college working toward a 2 or 4 year degree and maintaining a 2.5 cumulative GPA have no work requirement or a cumulative GPA above a 2.0 and working 20 hours a week or more.
• Parents attending occupational/vocational training have no work requirement for 24 months.
• Income eligibility based on gross income (before taxes) and any other income the family receives (child support, SSI payments, pensions, etc).
• Parents will pay a monthly a co-payment based on their gross income, family size, number of children in care and whether child care is approved for full-time or part-time.
• Grandparents or other family members may qualify for child care benefits without meeting income eligibility or paying a co-payment, if they have Representative Payee (RPY) status from the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) local office. 
• Contact a Child Care Assistance Program Specialist for more information:

Call 815-758-8149 or 800-848-8727 ext. 225 or email

The Child Care Assistance Program, funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services, helps income-eligible parents and guardians pay for the cost of child care while they are working or attending an approved education or training program.