Maine’s Child Care Affordability Program (CCAP) may help pay for daycare. You may qualify if you live in Maine, meet the income rules, and need child care so you can work, look for work, go to school, or take approved training.
You can apply online through My Maine Connection, by mail, or with help from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). You will need to provide documents about your income, household, and work, school, or training schedule.
If you are approved, you can choose a child care provider that accepts CCAP. You may still need to pay part of the cost, called a copay. You can also get help finding a provider, appeal a denial, and report changes to your income, household, or schedule.
Key Takeaways
- Maine’s Child Care Affordability Program (CCAP) can help eligible families pay for child care while they work, go to school, attend training, or look for work.
- You can apply online through My Maine Connection, by mail, or with help from a local Maine DHHS office.
- Eligibility usually depends on whether you live in Maine, your household income and size, your children’s eligibility, and why you need child care.
- You may need to provide documents about your income, household members, and work, school, training, or job-search schedule.
- If you are approved, choose a child care provider that accepts CCAP. Check your approval notice for the hours covered, any copayment you may owe, and what changes you must report.
How Maine Child Care Subsidies Work
Maine’s Child Care Affordability Program, or CCAP, helps eligible families pay for child care.
To apply, use Maine’s child care assistance system and provide any documents they ask for. You’ll receive a notice telling you whether you qualify and how much help you can get.
If you’re approved, choose a child care provider that accepts CCAP. CCAP usually pays part of the child care cost directly to the provider. You may still need to pay a family copayment.
Keep your information up to date. Report changes, such as a new job, income change, address change, or changes in your household, as soon as possible so your benefits aren’t interrupted.
For help with child care arrangements, contact your provider or a local child care resource agency. Read all official notices carefully for renewal dates, required updates, payment details, and other important deadlines.
Who Qualifies for Maine Child Care Subsidies?
Who Qualifies for Maine Child Care Subsidies?
You may qualify for Maine’s Child Care Affordability Program (CCAP) if you meet the rules for income, family size, Maine residency, and your need for child care.
You may qualify if:
- You live in Maine and have eligible children in your household.
- Your household income is within the current CCAP income limits. The limits depend on the number of people in your family.
- You need child care so you can work, look for work, go to school, or take part in an approved training program.
- You provide documents that show your income, household size, and work, school, or training schedule.
- You report changes that could affect your eligibility, such as changes in income, household members, work, school, disability-related needs, or veteran status.
Income limits and application requirements can change. Check with Maine DHHS or contact your local office for current information and help applying.
What Do Maine Child Care Subsidies Cover?
Maine’s Child Care Affordability Program (CCAP) may help pay for child care if you work, go to school or job training, look for work, or have another approved reason.
CCAP can cover full-time or part-time care, depending on your approved schedule and your child’s needs. It may help pay for care from approved providers or child care programs.
You may still have to pay part of the cost. This is called a family copayment, and the amount depends on your income and household situation.
How much CCAP pays can also depend on your approved hours, your child’s attendance, and the program’s payment limits. Read your approval notice carefully to understand what care is covered, what you may need to pay, and what changes you must report.
How to Find a Participating Child Care Provider
Find a Child Care Provider That Accepts CCAP
To use CCAP, you need to choose a child care provider that accepts CCAP payments and meets program rules. Before choosing a provider, ask about openings, the ages they serve, hours, and transportation.
- Search Maine’s child care referral resources for licensed providers near you.
- Ask each provider if they currently accept children who use CCAP.
- Check that the provider has a current license and ask about any quality ratings or credentials.
- Call or visit the provider to ask about daily routines, meals, accessibility, and available spaces.
You can also contact local child care resource staff for help finding providers. Keep a few options in mind because some providers may have waitlists or limited openings.
How to Apply for Maine Child Care Subsidies
To apply for Maine’s Child Care Affordability Program (CCAP), submit an application to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). You can apply online through My Maine Connection, by mail, or with help from a local DHHS office.
You may need to provide information about:
- Your household income and family size
- Your job, school, or training program
- Your child care provider, if you have one
- Why you need child care
Before you apply, gather documents such as pay stubs, benefit letters, identification, and proof of your work, school, or training schedule.
Whether you qualify depends on your income, family situation, and need for child care. Keep copies of everything you submit. Check your My Maine Connection account and your mail in case DHHS asks for more information. DHHS can also explain how to appeal if your application is denied.
What to Do If Your Application Is Denied
If DHHS denies your CCAP application, read the denial notice carefully. It should explain why you were denied, such as too much income, missing documents, or not meeting an eligibility rule.
You may be able to fix the problem by sending more information or proof that you qualify.
- Check the notice for the deadline to appeal. Ask for a hearing as soon as possible if you disagree with the decision.
- Gather helpful documents, such as pay stubs, work or school schedules, ID, and child care records.
- If you were denied because information was missing, ask DHHS if it can review your application again after you send the missing documents.
- Contact Maine’s Child Care Resource and Referral agency or legal aid for help.
Keep copies of all forms, documents, and notices. If your situation has changed, tell DHHS. You may qualify based on your updated information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Maine Child Care Assistance for Overnight Care?
Yes. Maine child care assistance may help pay for overnight care if you meet the program’s rules.
You usually need:
- An approved child care provider that offers overnight care
- Work, school, or training during overnight hours
- Proof of your schedule and need for care
Contact your local Maine child care assistance office to confirm whether your care is covered and to find available overnight providers.
Does Assistance Cover Summer Camps or School Break Programs?
Yes. You may be able to use child care assistance for summer camps and school break programs if the program is approved and you qualify.
Contact your local child care resource agency to check whether the program is eligible, what your copayment may be, and whether funding is available.
How Do Subsidy Payments Affect My Child Care Provider?
Your child care provider is paid directly for approved care. This lowers the amount you need to pay.
When your provider gets paid depends on when your care is approved, attendance is reported, and the program processes the payment.
You may still need to pay a copayment or any amount that is more than the subsidy covers. Ask your provider about their billing rules.
Can Grandparents Receive Payment for Providing Child Care?
Grandparents may be paid to provide child care if they meet your program’s rules. They may need to register as a provider, pass background checks, and show proof of their relationship to the child. Payment amounts may also be limited by hourly rate rules.
Will Receiving Child Care Assistance Affect My Other Benefits?
Getting child care assistance usually does not reduce your other benefits. However, rules can vary by program and location.
Report any changes to your income or household, and ask your caseworker how child care assistance may affect your SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, or housing benefits.
Conclusion
Maine’s child care subsidy program may help you pay for child care while you work, go to school, or take job training. Whether you qualify depends on your income, family size, and the activity you are approved for.
Child care can take up a large part of a family’s budget. Even help with part of the cost can make it easier to keep working, studying, or training.
To prepare your application, gather your documents early and look for a child care provider that accepts the subsidy. If your application is denied, you may be able to appeal, so make sure to act quickly.