Washington DC Child Care Subsidy 2026–27: Who Can Enroll Now, the Six Priority Groups, Documents and Appeals
If you apply for DC child care help this fall, the first question isn't only "Do I qualify?" It's also "Which priority group will I be placed in?" The DC Child Care Subsidy Program has a waitlist for new applicants. According to the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), effective October 1, 2026, children eligible under Priority Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 may enroll and receive subsidies. Children in Priority Groups 5 and 6 are placed on the waitlist.
This guide explains how the groups work, how to apply (online, at DHS, or at a Level II child care provider), which documents to gather, and the three-step appeal process if you're denied. It draws on OSSE's eligibility FAQ, the OSSE waitlist page and priority group chart, and the DC Child Care Subsidy Program Policy Manual.
How the Program Works
The program, also called child care vouchers, pays all or part of the cost of child care directly to the provider. Depending on income, a family may owe a co-payment to the provider. Subsidies can be used at licensed child development facilities that accept them, or with an in-home care provider that the family selects and that signs an agreement with OSSE.
To find participating providers, use MyChildCare.dc.gov or call DC Child Care Connections at (202) 829-2500.
Basic Eligibility
Under the Policy Manual and OSSE's FAQ, a child generally must:
be younger than 13, or younger than 19 with a disability,
live in DC,
live in a family with gross income up to 300% of the federal poverty level at initial eligibility (unless exempt from income rules) and assets of no more than $1,000,000 (which you can self-declare), and
have a qualifying need, such as parents working or in school.
Once enrolled, a family can keep the subsidy even if income rises, up to 85% of DC median income. OSSE lists that as $134,160 for a family of four.
Groups that qualify through special circumstances include families on TANF, SNAP Employment and Training participants, families in a job search through a District agency, unemployment insurance recipients, children in foster care or protective services, children with disabilities, children of adults with disabilities, children of teen parents, children cared for by an elder caregiver, children in Head Start, Early Head Start or the Quality Improvement Network (QIN), children experiencing homelessness, families experiencing domestic or family violence, and children of parents in addiction recovery programs.
Income that doesn't count includes TANF, SNAP, WIC and LIHEAP benefits, Medicaid, Social Security and SSI, child support received, unemployment compensation, tax refunds, and the EITC, among others listed in the Manual.
The Six Priority Groups
OSSE's priority group chart assigns eligible children as follows:
Group | Who is in it | Status from Oct. 1, 2026 |
Priority 1 | Children under protective services; children experiencing homelessness | May enroll |
Priority 2 | Children with disabilities; children in Head Start, Early Head Start or QIN | May enroll |
Priority 3 | Children of adults with disabilities, teen parents or elder caregivers; families facing domestic or family violence; parents in addiction recovery | May enroll |
Priority 4 | Working parents below 150% FPL; job training or education; job search; TANF; SNAP E&T | May enroll |
Priority 5 | Working parents at or above 150% and below 250% FPL | Waitlist |
Priority 6 | Working parents at or above 250% and below 300% FPL | Waitlist |
What this means in practice: a working family below 150% of the poverty level can currently enroll. A working family with somewhat higher income may be found eligible but placed on the waitlist. Families already enrolled keep their subsidy as long as they remain eligible and complete redetermination.
Waitlisted families should still apply. Being found eligible puts you in line, and the open groups can change. Check OSSE's waitlist page for updates.
Three Ways to Apply
1. Online. Apply through the DC Family Child Care Subsidy Portal. You'll get an email confirming receipt, and an eligibility worker will contact you about any missing documents.
2. In person at DHS. According to OSSE:
DHS location | Hours and access | Phone |
Anacostia Service Center, 2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE | Walk-ins for new applicants 7:30 a.m.–3 p.m. Mon–Wed; appointments 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Thu–Fri | (202) 576-7011 |
Taylor Street Service Center, 1207 Taylor St. NW | Appointments only, 7:30 a.m.–4:45 p.m. Mon–Fri | (202) 576-8776 |
Virginia Williams Family Resource Center, 64 New York Ave. NE | For families experiencing homelessness; appointments 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Mon and Wed | (202) 727-7659 |
You can print and complete the application in advance. Free printing is available at DC Public Libraries with a library card.
3. At a Level II child care provider. Some facilities are authorized to do the eligibility intake themselves. If you apply there, your child must enroll at that facility.
Must apply online or at DHS if you need non-traditional hours care (outside 7 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday to Friday, including evenings, overnight and weekends), want to use more than one provider for different children, or want an in-home care provider.
Documents to Gather
The Policy Manual lists accepted proof for each requirement. Copies, including electronic copies, are accepted, and one document can cover more than one requirement.
Child's age: birth certificate (any language) or passport. For an infant under 6 months, a signed hospital birth record.
Your identity: a government-issued ID, or other documents such as benefit award letters issued within the last 12 months. If neither is available, a signed self-verification statement.
Relationship to the child: a birth certificate naming you, a custody or guardianship order, agency benefit documents for the child, or a signed sworn statement that you are responsible for the child's day-to-day care.
Child's citizenship or qualified immigration status: see the Manual's list.
DC residency: a DC driver's license or ID, voter card, current lease or rental receipt, or a pay statement dated within 45 calendar days showing a DC address and DC tax withholding, among other options.
Income: a pay statement dated within 45 days, or an employer letter on letterhead. You may submit pay statements covering up to six months if the latest one isn't typical.
Qualifying need: proof of work, school or job training enrollment, job search, TANF or SNAP E&T, or the special circumstance that applies.
Health certificate: families applying online or at DHS must submit a valid health certificate for each child, dated within one year. A medical exemption from DC Health can be submitted instead.
Two-parent homes: you must show a qualifying need for both parents in the home. If the other parent lives elsewhere but their whereabouts are known, list them on the application.
What Happens After You Apply
Missing documents: you have 30 calendar days to provide them, or the application is denied. You can reapply.
Decision: the Manual says eligibility workers will decide within 10 business days of a complete application.
Approved and in an open group: if you applied online or at DHS, you'll get an Admission Form to sign with your provider and return to DHS by the child's first day. If you applied at a Level II provider, your child can start attending without that form.
Approved but in a closed group: you'll be notified that you're approved and on the waitlist.
If You Are Denied: The Appeal Ladder
You may appeal a denial, a termination, or a dispute over your co-payment. The Policy Manual sets three levels:
First level: submit a written appeal within 15 calendar days to the DHS Child Care Services Division or the Level II provider. This leads to an in-person or virtual meeting.
Second level: if you're not satisfied, ask within five days of that decision for the appeal to go to OSSE.
Third level: if you're still not satisfied, file with the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) within five days of OSSE's decision. OAH decisions are final.
If you're appealing a termination, services already authorized can continue at the original amount until the final decision. If you're appealing an application denial, services aren't provided while the appeal is pending.
Common denial reasons and fixes: missing documents (resubmit within the window or reapply), a document older than 45 days (get a current one), or no proof of the second parent's need (add it).
Keeping Your Subsidy
The Manual sets a minimum 12-month eligibility period. Families must report a move outside DC within 10 calendar days. At redetermination, submit requested documents at least 15 calendar days before your eligibility period ends.
More Help
More help in Washington, DC: Washington DC financial help guides
Related Guides
Sources
This guide gives general information. Program rules and waitlist status can change. Check with OSSE or DHS before you apply.
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