Illinois child care child care subsidy
Eligibility basis, income limits, and family copay. This page isolates the configured Illinois figures, related explanations, and primary source links from the full licensing guide.
Cited to 89 Ill. Admin. Code 407Verified June 2026Summary only, not legal advice
- Program
- CCAP
- Attendance / signature record
- IDHS Child Care Certificate
- Eligibility basis
- 225% FPL for initial/entry eligibility; up to 275% FPL at redetermination, with a 3-month graduated phase-out between 275% FPL and 85% State Median Income (the federal continuing cap).
- Income eligibility
- For new applications effective July 1, 2025, an Illinois family qualifies for CCAP when combined non-exempt gross monthly income is at or below 225% FPL (for example $4,997/mo for a family of 3, or $6,028/mo for a family of 4). At redetermination the ceiling rises to 275% FPL; families between 275% FPL and 85% SMI receive a 3-month graduated phase-out rather than an immediate cutoff. Verified against the IDHS income guidelines and the IL444-3455B (R-07-25) chart.
- Monthly income limits (by household size)
- 2 in household: $3,966/mo3 in household: $4,997/mo4 in household: $6,028/mo5 in household: $7,059/mo6 in household: $8,091/mo
- Family copay
- Effective July 1, 2025, the CCAP family co-payment is a single monthly per-family amount based on gross monthly income and family size (one copay regardless of the number of children). Illinois caps it so no family pays more than 7% of reported gross income; the floor is $1/month. Maximum monthly copays in the initial-eligibility (225% FPL) range run from $272 (family of 2) to $554 (family of 6), and continue rising in the redetermination and phase-out bands above 225% FPL. When all children in care are school-age and approved for part-day care September through May, the copay is halved. All figures per IL444-3455B (R-07-25).
- Source
- Figures effective 2025. Official Illinois program source
Citation: 89 Ill. Admin. Code 407
Illinois child care subsidy FAQ
What subsidy program helps Illinois families pay for child care?
The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), now administered by IDEC, helps eligible families pay for child care. Eligibility, copays, and provider billing requirements should be confirmed on the current IDEC CCAP pages.
Disclaimer: The figures on this page are a plain-English summary of Illinois requirements; always confirm current rules and details directly with IDEC before making operational decisions. This page is a summary for informational purposes only and is not legal or compliance advice. Confirm with Illinois Department of Early Childhood.