Houston Child Care Assistance 2026–27: Workforce Solutions Scholarships, Income Limits, and the Waitlist
If child care costs are keeping you from working or finishing school, Workforce Solutions – Gulf Coast runs the state-funded Child Care Scholarship program for the Houston area. Approved families can get up to 12 months of subsidized care. The catch is that there's currently a waitlist, so it pays to apply early and keep your spot active.
This guide covers the new income limits that took effect October 1, 2026, how the Texas waitlist application works, what documents to gather, and the rules that can cost you your scholarship after you get it.
Last checked October 2026. Funding and waitlist status change, so confirm with Workforce Solutions before you plan around a start date.
Who Runs It and Where It Covers
Workforce Solutions – Gulf Coast administers Child Care Scholarships for a 13-county region: Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Walker, Waller, and Wharton counties. The program is funded through the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC).
Child Care Scholarship Services Office: Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Call: 713-334-5980
Text: 346-249-7700
Who Qualifies
Income. Your household must earn no more than 85% of the State Median Income (SMI) for your family size. Workforce Solutions lists these monthly limits, effective October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027:
2 people: $5,406
3 people: $6,678
4 people: $7,950
5 people: $9,223
6 people: $10,494
7 people: $10,733
8 people: $10,971
Activity. Workforce Solutions' March 2026 Parent Handbook says a parent must be working, in school, or actively looking for work for at least:
25 hours a week in a single-parent household, or
50 hours a week combined in a two-parent household
The handbook says a parent with a documented medical disability, or who cares for a disabled family member, can ask for lower required hours.
Children. Scholarships are generally for younger children, and they're available up to age 19 for a child with a documented disability. Each child you apply for needs proof of U.S. citizenship or legal immigration status.
How to Apply: The Texas Waitlist Application
Texas uses a statewide online system. The Texas Child Care Connection site lays out these steps:
Create a Parent Central account at childcare.twc.texas.gov.
Log in and fill out the TX3C Eligibility Screener & Waitlist Application from your dashboard.
Stay on the list. While you wait, you'll get an email every 90 days asking if you want to stay on the waitlist. Answer it, or you may be removed.
When the Board can enroll you, a caseworker reviews your waitlist application and may ask for documents.
You'll be invited to submit a Standard Application. You usually have about two weeks to finish it and upload your documents.
Decision. Once the application is complete, staff have 20 days to decide.
If you're approved, you'll register for KinderConnect. If you haven't picked a provider, you'll be asked to choose one within 14 days.
Wait times vary by location and by the information in your waitlist application. For technical problems with the online system, contact KinderSystems at (888) 265-6461, Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Central.
Documents to Gather Now
Don't wait for your invitation. You may only have two weeks once it arrives. Workforce Solutions lists:
Proof of residency
Proof of citizenship or legal immigration status for each child, such as a birth certificate or I-551
Income for the last 13 weeks for every working household member, with the employer's name, address, phone, hours, and pay rate and schedule
Training or school information for adults in school: school contact information, days per week, enrollment hours, hours completed, expected graduation date, and transcript
Child care provider information: name, address, and phone of a licensed or registered provider
The state also suggests using your waiting time to get your child's immunization record and schedule a wellness exam.
Choosing a Provider
You can search for providers on the state's Availability Portal (childcare.twc.texas.gov/find), or call Workforce Solutions at 713-500-3725 for free child care referrals.
Workforce Solutions encourages parents to pick high-quality programs, such as providers certified under Texas Rising Star at the Two-Star, Three-Star, or Four-Star level, or those accredited by a TWC-approved organization.
Rules That Can Cost You the Scholarship
Getting the scholarship is half the job. The Parent Handbook lists rules that can end it.
Parent share of cost. Most families pay a fee based on income and the number of children receiving aid. Fees must be paid in advance and even when your child is absent. Not paying is a program violation and can lead to loss of eligibility for 60 days. You can ask for a lower share of cost due to extenuating circumstances, with documentation.
Daily check-in and check-out. Starting April 1, 2026, parents must check children in and out every day using KinderSmart, KinderSign, or another TWC-approved system.
Absences. A child can't have more than 40 unexplained absences in a 12-month eligibility period. Going over can end care, followed by a 60-day penalty period.
Report changes. Use the state's Parent Change Request form for changes like income, household, or address. To report a change in or loss of a job, call 713-334-5980.
Not covered: late pick-up charges, returned-check fees, late fees, and optional activities like field trips.
Taking a Break Without Losing Your Scholarship
Life happens: a hospital stay, a family trip, or a gap between jobs. The handbook lets you suspend child care aid during a temporary interruption instead of losing it.
You can ask for a suspension if you won't need care for more than one week.
Submit the request at least one week in advance. Call the Financial Aid Support Center and give the reason and the start and end dates.
Absences don't count against you during a suspension.
Your provider doesn't have to hold your child's spot during a suspension unless it agrees to, so ask before you pause.
Also tell your provider ahead of time about any planned absences. A provider can end enrollment if your child doesn't meet its own attendance policy, separate from the Workforce Solutions rules.
If You Need Care Now
Because of the waitlist, line up a backup plan:
Ask your school district about Pre-K. Workforce Solutions runs Pre-K Partnerships with local programs. Ask your district what's available for your child's age.
Keep your waitlist spot active by answering every 90-day email.
Call 211 for local nonprofit child care and family support programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Houston child care waitlist?
Workforce Solutions doesn't post a single wait time. The state says waits vary by location and by the details in your waitlist application. Answer every 90-day check-in so you aren't dropped.
Can I get child care help while I look for work?
Yes. Job search counts as a qualifying activity under the handbook's 25-hour (single parent) or 50-hour (two parent) requirement.
Do I have to pay anything?
Most families pay a parent share of cost based on income and the number of children in care. You can ask for a reduction if you have extenuating circumstances.
Can I switch providers?
Yes. Submit a Transfer Request through Workforce Solutions at least two weeks in advance.
What counties does this cover?
All 13 counties in the Gulf Coast region, including Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, and Galveston.
This guide is general information, not legal advice.
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