Help Paying for Child Care
Financial help may be provided for low- and moderate-income working parents, parents attending school; families receiving assistance under the state welfare program, Work First NJ, may be entitled to free child care. In addition, adults who are raising relatives’ children in their own homes, can often qualify for child care subsidies from the state of New Jersey.
Work First New Jersey
(WFNJ)
Community Child Care Solutions assists parents who are moving from welfare to work by providing child care subsidies to participants of Work First New Jersey. Community Child Care Solutions refers to, but does not endorse child care providers. We encourage you to visit and interview all child care providers before choosing one.
Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
Applying for a
Child Care Subsidy
Get Help Paying for Child Care with CCAP
New Jersey’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) helps income-eligible families who are working, attending school, or participating in job training pay for child care. CCAP is a State program that is managed locally by Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agencies. There is a CCR&R in every county.
Community Child Care Solutions is the CCR&R for both Middlesex and Somerset Counties
Getting Started is Easy
To get started, visit ChildCareNJ.gov,
where you can:
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Learn about the program and eligibility requirements.
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Use the eligibility calculator to see if you may qualify.
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When you’re ready, get connected to the State’s secure application system, MyNJHelps, to apply.
Applying
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You will need to create an account to apply.
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If you have previously created a MyNJHelps account to apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Work Frist New Jersey (WFNJ), use your previously created username and password to sign in.
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You will not be able to upload documents online if you are applying for CCAP only. If you choose to apply for SNAP and/or WFNJ as well as CCAP, you will be able to upload documents but the uploaded documents will only be used for SNAP/WFNJ verification. You will still need to submit any required documents for CCAP verification to Community Child Care solutions.
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What to Expect After You Apply
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After you submit your application, a Community Child Care representative will:
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Contact you with next steps and let you know which documents are required.
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Provide instructions on how to submit them.
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Help you complete the application process.
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Once you’ve submitted all required documents, Community Child Care Solutions will review your application and make an eligibility decision within 30 days.
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If you need help at any point, please contact us at cccscustomerservice@cccschildcare.org for assistance.
NJ State Co-payment schedule as of March 2026
Parent/Applicant Eligibility
• Must be a County resident
• Work part time AND go to school/training part time
• Must be working full-time (30 hours weekly or more), attending school full-time (12 credits or more), or in job training (20 hours weekly or more)
• Must meet income eligibility guidelines
Child/Children Eligibility
• Children up to age 13, or less than age of 19 incapable of self care
• The child or children must be legally present in the US and have a valid Social Security number
• A child under the NJ Division of Child Protection and Permanency's protective supervision is also eligible
Child Care Provider Eligibility
• Providers must either be a licensed child care center or a registered family child care home
• A home or summer camp that is approved by the state is also eligible
• All providers must complete health and safety trainings and criminal history background checks
Income Guideline
Maximum Allowable Annual Family Gross Income
(Represents 200% of the 2024 Federal Poverty Index)
Family Size
2
3
4
5
6
Annual Income
$43,280
$54,640
$66,000
$77,360
$88,720
Click here for NJ Calculator to determine eligibility
Work First New Jersey
Community Child Care Solutions assists parents who are moving from welfare to work by providing child care subsidies to participants of Work First New Jersey. Community Child Care Solutions refers to, but does not endorse child care providers. We encourage you to visit and interview all child care providers before choosing one.
Eligibility
Eligibility is established by the County Board of Social Services or the Department of Labor. Activities are assigned by either a Career Development Counselor or Income Maintenance Worker. An activity referral is then sent to Community Child Care Solutions; upon receipt we will contact you through mail and or phone to find out what are your child care needs. Once a participant’s case is closed upon gaining employment, they will be eligible to receive subsidized child care for up to two years.
Kinship Navigator Program
Kinship caregivers, adults who are raising relatives’ children in their own homes, can often qualify for child care subsidies from the state of New Jersey.
To qualify for child care subsidies, kinship caregivers must prove they are relatives or legal guardians of the children and that the children live with them. Those under age 60 who are not working or preparing for work must prove they are disabled. Financial eligibility depends on the kinship caregiver’s age and the size and income of the family unit. Caregivers must present proof of age and income.
Click here for more information on the Kinship Navigator Program.
To learn more about child care resources:
in Middlesex County call 732-324-4357
in Somerset County call 908-927-0869
Outside of the county you may contact the Kinship Navigator at 1-877-816-3211
or the state child care help line at 1-800-332-9227.
