Chicago Child Care Assistance (CCAP) 2026–27: Income Limits, Copays, Who Qualifies and How to Apply
Updated: 1 day ago
Child care is one of the biggest monthly bills a young family in Chicago can face. For a lot of working parents, that math decides whether taking a job, an extra shift or a training program is even worth it. Illinois' Child Care Assistance Program, known as CCAP, exists to close that gap. It pays a large share of the bill to your provider, and you pay a monthly copay based on your income and family size.
CCAP changed hands this year. On July 1, 2026, the new Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) became the lead agency for the program, taking over from the Illinois Department of Human Services. If you see older forms or web pages with the IDHS name, that is why. New income and copay tables took effect the same day.
This guide covers who qualifies, the current income limits for new applicants, what copays look like, which documents to gather, and where Chicago families can get in-person help.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Found something out of date? Our Editorial Standards explain how to report it.
Figures can change; confirm with your agency before you rely on them.
Chicago: the essentials
What it is: a state program that helps pay for child care while you work, go to school or meet certain other needs.
Children covered: age 13 and younger; children with special needs may qualify until they turn 19.
Income limit for new applicants: about 225% of the federal poverty level. For a family of three, that's $5,123 a month in gross income.
What you pay: a monthly copay to your provider, from $1 up to a few hundred dollars depending on income and family size.
How long it lasts: 12 months at a time, with a renewal form mailed about 6 weeks before the end.
How to apply: the Digital CCAP Application online, or with help from Illinois Action for Children in Chicago.
Decision time: you should hear back within 45 calendar days of a complete application.
Who Qualifies
Eligibility comes down to three things: what you're doing while your child is in care, how old your children are, and your household income.
1. A qualifying activity. You must be unable to care for your child because you are:
working;
enrolled in school or training;
experiencing homelessness;
deployed in the military;
taking part in certain family support programs run through the state's child care licensing side (not including foster care);
caring for a foster child or a child who was recently in foster care; or
working or in school while the other parent in the home is getting medical, physical or mental health treatment.
You don't have to be employed right now to apply. A parent in a training program or experiencing homelessness can qualify on that basis.
2. Age of the children. Children who need care must be 13 or younger. Children with special needs may be eligible until their 19th birthday.
3. Income. Your family's gross monthly income must fall under the program limits, explained below.
Immigration status
According to the Illinois Cares for Kids FAQ, you do not need to be a U.S. citizen to apply for or receive CCAP, and your child does not need citizenship to get benefits. The application asks about the citizenship status of the children in care, but the FAQ says that is used to sort out funding and is not considered for eligibility. It also says applying for or receiving CCAP will not affect immigration status. If you have specific concerns about your own case, talk to an immigration legal service before applying.
Income Limits for New Applicants (Effective July 1, 2026)
These are the highest gross monthly incomes that can qualify at the time of a new application, taken from IDEC's co-payment notice effective July 1, 2026. "Gross" means before taxes. In two-parent households, both incomes count.
Family size | Highest monthly income to qualify (new application) | Highest income at renewal for a new 12-month period |
2 | $4,058 | $4,959 |
3 | $5,123 | $6,261 |
4 | $6,188 | $7,563 |
The second column matters once you're already in the program. At renewal, your income can be higher than the starting limit and you can still qualify for another full year. That rule exists so a raise doesn't immediately knock you off assistance.
Above the renewal limit, there's one more cushion. Families whose income lands in a higher band at renewal get a three-month extension, which IDEC calls a Graduated Phase Out, before benefits end. During that phase you pay the highest copay for your family size. IDEC's notice lists those income bands; ask your agency where your income falls.
If your household is larger than four, IDEC's co-payment notice contains tables for bigger families. The program's online eligibility calculator will also give you an estimate when you enter your family size, county and monthly income.
What Your Copay Looks Like
Most approved families pay a monthly copay directly to their child care provider. The state pays the provider the rest, up to the state's maximum rate. The amount shows up on your approval notice. Your provider tells you whether to pay weekly or monthly.
Here are sample copays from the July 1, 2026 table for families applying for the first time:
Family size | Lowest income band | Copay | Highest income band | Copay |
2 | $0–$1,803 | $1 | $3,968–$4,058 | $278 |
3 | $0–$2,277 | $1 | $5,010–$5,123 | $351 |
4 | $0–$2,750 | $1 | $6,051–$6,188 | $424 |
Copays rise in steps between those points. For example, a family of three earning between $3,188 and $3,415 a month pays $159.
A few rules are easy to miss:
School-age discount. If all the children in care are school age and are approved only for part-day care, the copay is cut in half for each month from September through May. The full copay applies in June, July and August.
One provider collects. If you use more than one provider, only one is assigned to collect your copay. Your approval notice says which.
Rates above the state maximum are on you. The state won't pay charges above its maximum rate. Some providers also charge extra fees, such as registration or supplies. Ask about those before you enroll.
If the copay is more than the bill, you pay the smaller amount and the state pays nothing that month.
When care is free
The Illinois Cares for Kids FAQ says child care is free for families experiencing homelessness or on active military duty, and for families in certain state child care licensing programs such as Extended Family Support and Youth in Care. Foster parents and families in Intact Family Services should ask their caseworker about applying; the FAQ says those families can get assistance with no copay.
Choosing a Provider
Not every provider takes CCAP, so ask before you apply. You can search for programs on the Illinois Cares for Kids site or ask your local agency for referrals.
Your provider can be a child care center, a licensed home, or a relative, friend or neighbor. If someone you know watches your children, they can register to become a CCAP provider. To get paid, they must pass background checks, complete required health and safety training, and allow visits to check health and safety standards. Some people can't be paid:
a parent or step-parent of the children;
someone on the same TANF cash grant as you and your children; and
a parent's brother or sister who lives in the same household as the children.
The state suggests contacting your chosen provider before you start your application. Many want a meet-and-greet first. The current online application asks you to choose a provider before you can finish it.
What to Gather Before You Apply
The online application lets you upload documents at the end, so collect them first. If something is missing, you'll get a letter asking for it, which slows things down. The FAQ lists these common documents:
Working for an employer: your two most recent pay stubs, or a wage verification form or employer letter if you haven't been on the job long enough to have two stubs.
Self-employed: a self-employment record and your most recent federal tax return with all schedules.
In school or training: your class schedule or a letter of enrollment.
Experiencing homelessness: a Certification of Temporary Living Arrangement questionnaire. The FAQ says this can come after you apply and isn't required for initial approval.
Disability or rehabilitation program: documents from a medical provider or the program, or a Responsibility and Service Plan.
Active-duty military: military documents.
TANF with job training: your Responsibility and Service Plan.
How to Apply in Chicago
Online
The fastest route for most families is the Digital CCAP Application, linked from IDEC's "Get Help Paying for Child Care" page. It works on a phone, tablet or computer.
With help from Illinois Action for Children
In Cook County, CCAP applications are processed by Illinois Action for Children, the regional Child Care Resource and Referral agency (CCR&R). Its family team can walk you through the process:
Phone appointments: schedule one online; a representative calls you at the set time.
In-person appointments: available at the agency's Damen, Chatham and Lawrence offices. The Damen office is at 1340 S. Damen Ave., Chicago, IL 60608.
Forms and drop boxes: you can pick up and drop off CCAP forms without an appointment. Drop boxes are open 24/7 at the Damen, Chatham, Lawrence and Homewood locations.
Online forms: parents can submit CCAP forms through the agency's website.
For a phone call about an existing case, have your 15-digit case number and date of birth ready.
If you need care right away
The FAQ advises calling your CCR&R, explaining your situation and asking for faster processing. Those requests are reviewed case by case. Otherwise, expect a response within 45 calendar days after your agency gets a complete application.
Keeping Your Benefits
Approvals run for 12 months, and your approval letter shows the start and end dates. About six weeks before the end, a renewal (redetermination) form arrives by mail. Return it on time. The state's income guidelines say renewals sent more than 30 days after eligibility ends are treated as new applications, which means you'd face the lower starting income limit again.
During the year, keep your address current with the agency so the renewal reaches you. If your job, school schedule or provider changes, contact your CCR&R and ask what you need to report.
Related Guides
More help in Chicago
Every guide we have for Chicago is listed on our Chicago financial help hub. Related guides for the same area:
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