ACS Child Care Vouchers

The ACS Child Care Vouchers program helps working families in New York City afford quality child care. This voucher assistance covers the cost of child care for children from infancy through age 13, allowing parents to work, pursue education, or participate in job training without worrying about child care expenses.

Child care vouchers can be used at licensed child care centers, family day care homes, or after-school programs throughout New York City. Vouchers provide year-round coverage for up to 24 hours a day, offering flexibility for families with varying work schedules.

The program was created to support economic stability for low-income and working-class families, remove barriers to employment, and ensure children have access to safe, quality early childhood education and care. By reducing the financial burden of child care, families can maintain stable employment, pursue education and training opportunities, and provide their children with structured learning environments.

Your family may qualify for child care vouchers if you meet income and other eligibility requirements. The program prioritizes families based on income level and the reason they need child care.

Income Requirements

Your household income must be below 85% of New York State Median Income. The following table shows the income limits by family size for FY 2026:

Family Size	Annual Income Limit	Monthly Income Limit
1	$56,488	$4,707
2	$73,870	$6,156
3	$91,251	$7,604
4	$108,632	$9,053

*For family sizes of 5 or more, contact ACS CFWB Call Center at 212-835-7610 for current income limits.

Approved "Reasons for Care"

You must also have at least one of these approved reasons for needing child care:

• You work 10 or more hours per week
• You are enrolled in an educational or vocational training program
• You are actively seeking employment
• You live in temporary housing or shelter (priority access)
• You are receiving treatment for substance abuse
• You are attending services for domestic violence survivors
• You receive Cash Assistance from HRA
• You are a working foster parent

Other Eligibility Criteria

• Child Age: Child must be between 8 weeks old and 13 years old at the time of application
• Residency: You must be a New York City resident
• Citizenship: You can apply regardless of citizenship status
• Priority Populations: Families experiencing homelessness, on Cash Assistance, and receiving child welfare services receive priority

Who Should Apply

Example 1: Maria works full-time at a retail store earning $45,000 per year. She has a 2-year-old daughter and is currently using unpaid family members to provide child care. She qualifies based on income and employment status.

Example 2: James is participating in a vocational training program at a local community college to learn electrician skills. He has a 4-year-old son and earns $35,000 per year from part-time work. He qualifies based on his enrollment in education and his income level.

Example 3: The Rodriguez family recently became homeless and is living in temporary shelter with their 6-year-old. They automatically receive priority access to child care vouchers to support family stability.

Applying for a child care voucher is straightforward and can be done online or by mail. The entire process typically takes 10-15 business days once you submit your application with all required documents.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Visit MyCity Online (Recommended)
   Go to mycity.nyc.gov and select "Apply for Child Care Assistance Program." You can complete the application in multiple sessions, and the website saves your progress.
2. Complete Eligibility Screening Questions
   Answer questions about your family size, income, residency, and reason for needing child care. This determines which programs you might qualify for (cash assistance families, income-qualified, or transitional child care).
3. Create Your MyCity Account
   Create a username and password to access your application. You'll use this account to upload documents and check your application status throughout the process.
4. Complete the Application Form
   Fill out the full application form with detailed information about your household, employment, education status, and child care needs. Provide accurate information—errors can slow down processing.
5. Gather and Upload Required Documents
   Upload all required documents through the MyCity portal. See the checklist below for what you'll need. Upload clear scans or photos of original documents.
6. Submit Your Application
   Review your application for accuracy and submit it online. You'll receive a confirmation email with your case number. Save this for your records.
7. Wait for Initial Review (10-15 Business Days)
   ACS will review your application and may request additional information or verification. You can check your application status anytime in your MyCity account.
8. Receive Eligibility Determination
   You'll receive a letter or notification informing you whether you're approved for vouchers or placed on a waiting list. If approved, you'll receive information about finding child care providers.
9. Activate Your Voucher
   Once approved, you can search for providers on NYC Child Care Connect and begin using your voucher with any licensed provider that accepts vouchers.

Required Documents Checklist

Have these documents ready before you apply:

• Photo ID for the parent/guardian (Driver's License, Passport, or ID Card)
• Social Security Number or ITIN for all family members
• Birth certificates for all children in your household
• Proof of residency (lease, utility bill, or mail dated within last 30 days)
• Proof of income (recent pay stubs, 2024 tax return, or benefit award letter if unemployed)
• Proof of employment or education enrollment (employment letter, class schedule, or school enrollment verification)
• Bank statements (optional, for income verification)
• Proof of homelessness (if applicable—referral letter from homeless services provider)

Alternative Application Methods

Mail Application (Paper Method)

If you prefer not to apply online, you can print and mail your application:

• Download application forms from the ACS Forms for Families page
• Complete all forms and gather required documents
• Mail completed application and documents to:
  NYC Children – EDU
  PO Box 40
  Maplewood, NJ 07040
• Keep a copy for your records and note the mailing date
• Processing takes 10-15 business days after receipt

In-Person Application (For Specific Populations)

If you receive Cash Assistance from HRA, work with a foster family agency, or receive child welfare services, you may apply through your case worker:

• Cash Assistance Recipients: Contact your local HRA Benefits Access Center or ask your caseworker to help you apply
• Families with Child Welfare Services: Ask your child welfare caseworker or case planner to submit a referral for you
• Foster Parents: Work with your foster care agency to submit the voucher referral form

What Happens After You Apply

• Confirmation Email: You'll receive an email confirming your application was received, with your case number
• Document Requests: ACS may ask for additional documents. Check your MyCity account regularly for messages
• Eligibility Letter: You'll receive an official letter stating whether you're approved or on a waiting list
• If Approved: Your letter will include instructions on finding child care providers and activating your voucher
• If Waitlisted: You remain on the list and may receive a voucher when funding becomes available. The average wait time varies
• Recertification: If approved, you must recertify your eligibility every 12 months to keep your voucher active

Child care vouchers provide comprehensive support to make quality child care affordable and accessible for working families across all five boroughs of New York City.

What You Receive

• Reduced or Free Child Care: Depending on your income, you may receive free child care, pay a small family fee, or have the voucher cover most of the cost of care. The city covers the remaining balance directly to the provider.
• Year-Round Coverage: Your voucher works for 12 months per year, providing consistent child care access even during school breaks and holidays
• 24-Hour Care Option: Vouchers cover child care for up to 24 hours per day, accommodating non-traditional work schedules, shift work, and evening/weekend employment
• Flexible Provider Choice: Use your voucher at any licensed child care center, family day care home, or after-school program in NYC that accepts vouchers
• Age Range Flexibility: Covers children from 8 weeks old through age 13, allowing families to use the same program for multiple children at different life stages

Types of Care Covered

• Child Care Centers: Full-day programs serving multiple children with licensed staff
• Family Day Care: Licensed home-based care typically serving fewer children in a family setting
• After-School and Summer Programs: Before and after school care and summer break programs for school-age children
• Head Start & Early Head Start Programs: Federally-funded programs serving eligible low-income families
• Specialized Programs: Programs serving children with disabilities or special needs

Duration of Benefits

Once approved, your voucher remains active for 12 months. At the end of your eligibility period, you must submit recertification materials to renew your voucher for another year. If you fail to recertify by the deadline, your benefits will be terminated, and you'll need to reapply.

Real-World Impact

Child care vouchers can be used at any licensed provider in New York City. The program operates across all five boroughs, with thousands of participating providers.

Finding Providers

To find licensed child care providers that accept vouchers in your area, use NYC Child Care Connect, the official NYC resource for finding child care:

• Website: nycchildcareconnect.org
• Search by: Location, age group, hours, program type, and language spoken
• See: Provider ratings, licensing information, and capacity availability
• Filter for providers that accept vouchers in your neighborhood

ACS Administrative Locations

For in-person assistance with your application or account, visit an ACS Division of Child and Family Well-Being office:

Hours of Operation

• Monday-Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• Some offices have extended hours—call 311 for locations with evening/weekend service
• Online applications and account access available 24/7 through MyCity

Accessibility

• All ACS offices are wheelchair accessible
• Interpretation services available in 200+ languages at in-person locations
• TTY/Relay services available for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals
• All online forms available in multiple languages

Use this interactive checklist to quickly assess whether you might be eligible. Check all that apply:

Have questions? Get help from the ACS Division of Child and Family Well-Being:

Keep track of these key dates for your child care voucher:

Event	Timeline
Application Processing	10-15 business days
Annual Recertification Deadline	By end of 12-month eligibility period (date in approval letter)
Application Appeal Period	30 days from denial letter
Voucher Activation After Approval	Immediately upon approval notification

Use these resources to learn more about the program and find providers:

Official Forms & Documents

• ACS Forms for Families — Download printable application forms and recertification materials
• Application Instructions — Step-by-step guide for completing your application
• Required Documents Checklist — PDF list of what to prepare
• Glossary of Terms — Explanation of child care and program terminology

Finding Child Care

• NYC Child Care Connect — Search and compare licensed providers accepting vouchers
• Growing Up NYC — Information on all early childhood programs in the city
• OCFS Child Care Program Directory — State-level child care provider search

Multilingual Resources

All application materials are available in the following languages:

• English, Spanish, Chinese (Simplified & Traditional), Korean, Russian, Vietnamese, Bengali, Haitian Creole, Arabic, and more
• Call 212-835-7610 to request a specific language or ask for interpretation services

Additional Support

• NYC Administration for Children's Services — Main ACS website with additional programs and information
• ACCESS NYC — Benefits screening tool to find all programs you may qualify for

If you're eligible for child care vouchers, you may also qualify for these complementary early childhood programs: