San Antonio Child Care Services 2026–27: Workforce Solutions Alamo Income Limits, the 18–24 Month Waitlist, Parent Share of Cost and Reporting Rules
The most important number for a San Antonio parent seeking child care help isn't the income limit. It's the wait time. Workforce Solutions Alamo (WSA) says waits for its Child Care Services (CCS) scholarships average 18 to 24 months. That's why families should apply as early as possible, keep their waitlist record up to date, and plan for the gap.
This guide covers who qualifies, the 2027 income chart, how the parent copay is set, the waitlist rules, and what you have to report once you're in. It's based on WSA's own pages and PDFs.
What CCS Is and Where It Covers
WSA's Child Care Services program provides child care scholarship assistance to eligible families in the 13-county Alamo Region: Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Frio, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Kendall, Kerr, Karnes, McMullen, Medina and Wilson. WSA pays part of the cost at the provider you choose. You pay a Parent Share of Cost (PSoC) directly to the provider.
According to WSA's parent FAQ, "parental choice is what drives this program." You can choose a provider that has an agreement to serve CCS children, or use an eligible relative provider.
Do You Qualify? WSA's Checklist
WSA says you may qualify if you can answer yes to all of the following:
You live in one of the 13 counties above.
Your child is a U.S. citizen or legal immigrant.
Your child is under 13, or under 19 with a disability.
The child needing care lives with you.
You meet a work or school requirement:
Single parent: working, or in training or school, at least 25 hours per week.
Two-parent household: both parents working or in training or school, at least 50 combined hours per week.
Looking for work: initial job searches are allowed, limited to one per 12-month eligibility period.
Your average gross income is at or below the chart for your family size.
Family size includes the parents and all children in the household.
The 2027 Income Limits
These are WSA's Board Contract Year 2027 limits (85% of State Median Income):
Family size | Annual limit | Monthly limit |
1 | $49,610 | $4,134 |
2 | $64,874 | $5,406 |
3 | $80,139 | $6,678 |
4 | $95,403 | $7,950 |
5 | $110,668 | $9,223 |
6 | $125,932 | $10,494 |
7 | $128,794 | $10,733 |
8 | $131,656 | $10,971 |
WSA's PDF continues up to a family of 15, and also gives weekly, twice-monthly and every-two-weeks figures if you're paid on those schedules.
What counts: the FAQ says your cost of care is based on average gross monthly income before taxes, including all household income such as overtime, commissions, bonuses, incentive pay and other jobs.
The Job Search Option, and Its Three-Month Clock
Parents who aren't yet working enough hours can still get care while they look for work, but WSA's FAQ sets firm limits:
You must self-attest that you aren't meeting the participation requirement and that you've registered with the state's labor exchange system.
The job search lasts three months.
To keep care after that, you must meet income limits and these activity levels: 25 hours for a single parent, with at least 12 hours in employment, or 50 combined hours for two parents, with at least 25 combined hours in employment.
If you meet the requirements within three months, eligibility continues for 12 months total, counting the job search period.
If you don't, care ends.
Students: The 60-Month Limit
If a parent qualifies only through full-time undergraduate study, WSA says CCS can't exceed a cumulative total of 60 months. Parents who both work and attend school aren't subject to that limit. Qualifying programs lead to a high school diploma, a high school equivalency certificate, or an undergraduate degree. You must be officially enrolled, meet attendance rules, and show progress.
What You'll Pay: Parent Share of Cost
WSA's 2027 sliding fee scale sets the PSoC as a share of income. It starts at 2% of income for one child at the lowest income levels and rises to 7% at 85% SMI, with a small add-on for each additional child. The maximum monthly PSoC by family size:
Family size | Maximum monthly PSoC | Maximum weekly PSoC |
2 | $378 | $87 |
3 | $467 | $108 |
4 | $557 | $128 |
5 | $646 | $149 |
6 | $735 | $170 |
Examples from WSA's chart for one child:
A family of 3 earning $2,750 a month pays about $117 a month.
A family of 4 earning $4,209 a month pays about $208 a month.
The PSoC is paid to the provider, and WSA says paying it on time is mandatory. WSA also offers a PSoC calculator.
How to Apply
Start online at Texas Child Care Connection, the state's child care scholarship site. WSA's apply page links there.
Expect the waitlist. WSA says that if funding is unavailable, you'll be placed on a waiting list.
Update your waitlist record every 90 days. This is a hard requirement in WSA's FAQ. When funding opens, WSA contacts families from the list.
Check your status any time by calling WSA's CCS office.
Choose a provider. Use the Texas Child Care Availability Portal to search programs with openings, or use an eligible relative.
Documents to gather: WSA's pages don't publish a full checklist. Based on the eligibility rules above, be ready to show your county address, your child's age and citizenship or immigration status, your work, school or training hours, and all gross household income, including overtime and bonuses. WSA will tell you exactly what it needs.
The Waitlist Is for Funding, Not Seats
WSA addresses a common frustration directly. If the provider you want has openings, you still have to wait because the waiting list is for funding, not provider availability. WSA suggests asking your provider whether it offers a sliding scale fee or scholarship while you wait.
Faster routes:
TANF families: WSA says families receiving TANF should contact their nearest Workforce Solutions center about employment and training. If eligible, the center will refer you to CCS, and TANF recipients may be eligible for priority funding.
Emergencies: CCS isn't designed for emergency help. WSA's FAQ points families to 2-1-1 and says short-term emergency child care may be available through Our City Cares at (210) 230-6343.
Once You're In: Rules That Protect Your Benefit
You must report changes within 14 calendar days, including:
income or family size changes that would put you above 85% SMI,
non-temporary changes in work, training or school, and
a new address, phone number or email.
You also agree to pay the PSoC and meet attendance requirements.
Changing providers: call 210-230-6300, or email ccs.intake@wsalamo.org. WSA says there's a 14-day wait for provider transfers unless the transfer is an emergency. Contact WSA before you change or stop care.
Paying back benefits: WSA warns that parents must repay amounts paid on their behalf if those payments were based on inaccurate, misleading or false information, including changes not reported on time.
Redetermination: if WSA finds at your 12-month review that you no longer meet At-Risk requirements, care ends. You can reapply for Initial Job Search care, but you'll be subject to the Board's priority list and waitlist.
If You're Denied or Your Care Ends
WSA's pages don't spell out the appeal steps or deadlines. If you get a denial or termination notice:
Read the notice right away and note any deadline it gives.
Call CCS at (210) 230-6300 or 1-800-204-7905 (8 a.m.–4 p.m., Monday through Friday), or email ccs@wsalamo.org. Ask for the specific reason and how to request a review.
Fix what you can and reapply. For example, if your hours were short, an Initial Job Search period may be available once per 12 months.
Children With Disabilities
WSA runs an inclusion program. An early childhood specialist works with you and your provider to support a child who meets the definition of a child with a disability. Children with disabilities can be served up to age 19.
More Help
More help in San Antonio: San Antonio financial help guides
Related Guides
Sources
This guide gives general information. Limits, fees and wait times change. Confirm current details with Workforce Solutions Alamo.
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