Minnesota’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) may help pay for child care while you work, go to school, complete job training, or follow an approved employment plan.
To qualify, you must live in Minnesota, meet income limits, and have a child who needs care. Apply through your county or Tribal agency. You may need to provide information about your income, work or school schedule, child care provider, and the hours of care you need.
Your county decides how many child care hours are approved and whether you must pay a monthly copay. Keep reading to learn about eligibility, required documents, how to apply, and finding a provider.
Key Takeaways
- Minnesota’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) can help eligible families pay for child care while they work, go to school, or take approved training.
- Apply through your county or Tribal human services office. They decide if you qualify, how many child care hours are approved, and what you may need to pay each month.
- To qualify, you generally must live in Minnesota, have a child who needs care, meet income limits, and be working, in school, or in approved training.
- You may need to provide proof of income, work or school schedules, household information, and details about your child care provider, including rates and planned hours.
- CCAP usually pays approved child care providers directly for authorized care. Make sure your provider is approved before care starts, and pay any required monthly copay to the provider.
How Minnesota CCAP Helps Pay for Child Care
Minnesota’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) may help eligible families pay for child care while they work, go to school, train for a job, or take part in an approved employment plan.
CCAP usually pays approved child care providers directly. You may still need to pay part of the cost, called a family copayment. The amount depends on program rules and your family’s situation.
CCAP can pay for approved hours of care with licensed child care centers, family child care homes, and other approved providers. Check with your county or Tribal agency to make sure your provider participates, your care schedule is approved, and you understand how payments work.
Knowing what CCAP will pay and what you may owe can help you plan for child care costs and keep reliable care for your child.
Minnesota CCAP Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for Minnesota CCAP, you must usually:
- Live in Minnesota
- Have a child who needs child care
- Meet income limits based on your family size
- Work, go to school, attend approved training, or meet another approved activity requirement
Your county or Tribal program will review your application and documents to decide if you qualify. You may need to provide pay stubs, work or school schedules, identification, and information about your child.
Report changes as soon as possible, including changes to your income, job, school schedule, address, or household members. Reporting changes quickly can help prevent delays or problems with your child care assistance.
What CCAP Pays For and Your Copay
Minnesota CCAP can help pay for child care while you work, go to school, or do another approved activity. How much CCAP pays depends on where your child gets care, your child’s schedule, your county’s rules, and the number of hours approved.
You may have to pay part of the cost yourself. This is called a copay. Your copay is based on your household income and family size. Check the notice from your county to find out how much you must pay.
Covered Child Care Costs
CCAP may help pay for child care while you work, go to school, or take part in an approved activity. You may still have to pay part of the cost, called a copay. Your copay is based on your household income and family size.
Your county decides how much child care you’re approved for. This is based on your approved work, school, or activity schedule; your child’s age; and whether your provider is eligible.
CCAP may pay for care during your approved hours, including needed travel time. You must use a legal child care provider who’s enrolled with CCAP.
Tell your county right away if anything changes that could affect your child care, such as your work hours, school schedule, household members, or child care provider. Submit income proof and any requested documents as soon as possible to avoid delays, reduced care, or loss of assistance.
Understanding Your Copay
The amount CCAP pays depends on your approved child care schedule, your provider’s approved rate, and program payment limits.
You may have to pay a monthly copay. Your copay is based on your household income, family size, and eligibility status. Your county will tell you how much you need to pay and when it’s due.
Pay your copay directly to your child care provider. You must pay it even if your child attends care only part time.
CCAP usually pays for approved child care that supports your work, school, or other approved activities. This can include care scheduled around a caregiver’s work or school hours.
Ask your provider about costs CCAP may not cover, such as transportation, late fees, extra hours, or snacks.
Report changes to your income, household, or schedule as soon as possible. Reporting changes quickly can help protect your eligibility.
Documents You Need for a CCAP Application
For your CCAP application, you’ll need proof of your household income. This may include pay stubs, a letter from your employer, or benefit notices.
You’ll also need information about your child care provider and the schedule of care you need.
Your county or Tribal Nation may ask for more documents to confirm that you qualify.
Proof Of Income
Income verification helps Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) staff decide whether your household qualifies and how much you may need to pay.
Send recent documents that show your income, such as:
- Pay stubs
- A wage statement from your employer
- Benefit award letters
- Self-employment records
- Other documents requested by your county or tribal agency
Include income for all household members whose income counts under CCAP rules.
If your income is lower because you recently stopped working or your work hours changed, explain what changed and send any records you have. Report unemployment benefits, child support, pensions, and other income accurately.
The timing of your application or enrollment may affect which income period the agency reviews. Respond quickly to requests for documents, and keep copies of everything you submit.
Child Care Documentation
For your Minnesota CCAP application, you’ll need information about the child care you plan to use, along with your income records.
Provide:
- Your child care provider’s name, address, phone number, and other contact information
- The provider’s license number, if they’ve one
- Your child’s planned start date
- The days and hours your child will be in care
- The provider’s rates, including hourly, daily, or weekly charges
- Any registration or enrollment fees
Your county may also ask for a signed provider agreement or a form allowing the provider to share information.
Keep copies of all forms, notices, and documents you submit. Accurate child care schedules help the county determine the number of care hours they can approve, your parent copayment, and your child care budget.
If you haven’t chosen a provider yet, ask your county for a list of approved child care providers before you apply.
How to Apply for Minnesota CCAP
You can apply for Minnesota’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) through your county or tribal human services office. CCAP may help pay for child care if you qualify.
Apply as soon as you can. Your local agency will review your household information to see if you are eligible.
| Step | What you do | What the agency does |
|---|---|---|
| Apply | Give basic information about your household | Opens your case |
| Send proof | Provide proof of income, work or school activities, and other requested information | Reviews your eligibility |
| Report changes | Tell the agency promptly if your income, household, work, school, or child care changes | Updates your benefits if needed |
| Appeal | Ask in writing if you disagree with a decision | Reviews the decision again |
The agency may look at your income, household size, work or school needs, unpaid child care available to you, and whether your child care provider is eligible.
Ask your local county or tribal office for application forms, help in your language, or help completing the application. Keep copies of everything you submit and all notices you receive.
Find a CCAP-Eligible Child Care Provider
To use CCAP, choose a child care provider that accepts CCAP and meets Minnesota’s requirements.
Your county or tribal agency can help you find approved providers near you. You can also use Parent Aware and Minnesota’s child care search tools to look for:
- Licensed child care centers
- Licensed family child care homes
- Approved legal nonlicensed providers
Before choosing a provider, ask if they:
- Accept CCAP
- Have openings
- Care for children your child’s age
- Can meet your transportation, schedule, language, or special needs
Make sure the provider is approved before your child starts care. Your county decides whether you qualify for payment help, how much your copay is, and how many hours CCAP can cover.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does Minnesota CCAP Approval Usually Take?
Minnesota CCAP usually makes a decision within 30 days. The exact wait time can vary by county. It may take longer if any documents are missing or incomplete. To avoid delays, submit all required paperwork and contact your local county or tribal agency for an update.
Can CCAP Benefits Be Used While Attending College?
Yes. You may be able to use CCAP while you are in college if you meet the program’s student eligibility rules. Your classes usually need to help you prepare for a job or improve your employment options. Contact your county worker to confirm whether you qualify.
What Happens if My Income Changes After Approval?
If your income changes after you are approved, your benefits may change too. This could affect whether you still qualify, how much you receive, or what you may need to pay.
Report income changes to your county as soon as possible. Your worker can tell you what to report, when it is due, and what documents you may need. They can also help you find other resources if your benefits change.
Does CCAP Cover Care During Evenings or Weekends?
CCAP may cover child care during evenings or weekends if you qualify and need care for approved work, school, or training. Your county must approve the care, and coverage depends on your schedule and available providers.
How Do I Report Suspected CCAP Fraud?
Report suspected CCAP fraud to your county human services agency, the Minnesota Department of Education, or local law enforcement.
When you report, share only facts you know. Protect people’s privacy, and do not try to investigate the situation yourself. You can make a report anonymously.
Conclusion
Minnesota’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) can help pay for child care while you work, go to school, or take part in job training. You must meet eligibility rules, provide required documents, report changes, and use an approved child care provider.
Check with your county to learn about its application requirements and your possible copay. Apply as early as you can. If you qualify, CCAP may help your family afford child care and keep more money in your budget.