Parents may be able to get help paying for child care if their income is below a certain amount.

The chart below lists the family size and the most money a family can have per month before taxes.  If your family has more than 9 people, you can call us at (719) 743-2404.

Examples of income are money you get from employment (even if you have your own business), child support, unemployment, or Social Security Disability Income.  All income is based on total earnings before any taxes or deductions are taken out.  When you apply, you will have to bring information and documentation.

This is the list of documentation that you will have to give us with your application:   

1. Social Security cards for all family members
2. Birth certificates for all children
3. Picture identification for every adult in the household
4. Immunization records for all children
5. 3 months of pay stubs for each parent
6. 3 months of child support verification

If you just started a new job, you have to give us a letter from your job.  The letter must include your hire date, rate of pay, how often you are paid, and your schedule. Also you have to give us pay stubs within 30 days from your application date.

If you are requesting child care while you attend school, you must provide an enrollment verification letter that includes your start and end date, the program you are enrolled in, the length of time it will take to complete the program, your anticipated salary upon graduation, anticipated graduation date, and daily schedule.  You must also provide a copy of all loans and grants that you are receiving.  We can only help with child care while you are in school if you can complete your program and earn your degree or professional license/vocational certificate within 2 years of the day you apply for assistance.  We cannot pay for child care for anyone who is working on a Masters degree or above. If you are in High School or in training to earn a GED, you can receive assistance until you complete your high school/GED education or you reach the age of 22.

Parents also have to be in one of the following activities:  

1. Employment (including self-employment)
2. Job search (this can only be for 30 days per year)
3. High School Education/GED training (until the education is completed or you reach the age of 22)
4. College (if you will earn your degree or professional license/vocational certificate within a two years and you do not already have a Bachelor’s degree or above)

If you get help from the Department, we will only pay for some of the total child care cost.  The parental fee is the amount that you have to pay for child care. The parental fee is paid directly to the child care provider each month. If you do not pay your parental fee or stop paying it in the future, the Department cannot continue to pay any of the child care cost, and you will be automatically considered ineligible for child care assistance in any county in Colorado until you submit a receipt from the provider that the total amount owed has been paid off.   

Before your appointment to apply, start looking for a child care provider.

You will not be able to pick any provider.  In order for the Department to help pay for child care, the provider has to already have a contract with the county or be able to work with the county to get a contract.  The Department cannot pick your child care provider for you.  When you pick a child care provider, think about whether your child will be safe and encouraged to grow and learn.

You can select a state licensed center or home, or an exempt provider.  Exempt providers can include a friend or family member.  If you want an exempt provider to be your provider, then the provider and all members of their household over the age of 18 must be fingerprinted and a background check completed. The exempt provider has to pay for the fingerprinting and background check.  Child care cannot be authorized until the checks are completed.

To apply for child care assistance, call (719) 743-2404 to schedule an appointment. During your appointment you will complete and go over the application with your child care assistance worker. If you would like to complete the application before your appointment, please do not mail or fax it to us before your appointment.  

For more information about the child care assistance program, you can visit the Colorado Department of Human Services.