Texas child care child care subsidy
Eligibility basis, income limits, and family copay. This page isolates the configured Texas figures, related explanations, and primary source links from the full licensing guide.
Cited to 26 TAC Chapter 746Verified July 2026Summary only, not legal advice
- Program
- Child Care Services
- Attendance / signature record
- Subsidy Record
- Eligibility basis
- At or below 85% of the State Median Income for a family of the same size, plus an asset test of $1,000,000 or less, self-certified (40 TAC §809.41). That is the federal CCDF ceiling; local Workforce Boards may set lower initial thresholds.
- Income eligibility
- Child Care Services (CCS), Texas's CCDF subsidy, is set by TWC under 40 TAC Ch. 809 and delivered by 28 Local Workforce Development Boards via Workforce Solutions offices. Family income at or below 85% SMI (40 TAC § 809.41); Boards may set lower initial thresholds. Parent(s) must be working, in school, or in job training (single-parent about 25 hrs/wk, two-parent about 50 combined hrs/wk; Board-set; homeless families exempt). 12-month eligibility periods.
- Family copay
- The Parent Share of Cost is a Commission-set sliding fee scale based on family size and gross monthly income (determined per §809.44), expressed as a percentage of State Median Income up to 85% (40 TAC §809.19(a)(1)(B)). It may not exceed 7 percent of family income, regardless of how many children are receiving care (§809.19(a)(1)(C)). Provider reimbursement is set by each of the 28 local Workforce Boards, by age group and provider type, with Texas Rising Star tiered quality add-ons on top. Under HB 2294 (2025), a Board may pay Texas Rising Star providers at its maximum rate regardless of the provider's published rate, provided that doing so does not reduce the Board's target for the average number of children served. There is no single statewide rate.
- Grace absence days
- Up to 40 paid absence days per year
- Source
- Figures effective 2025. Official Texas program source
Citation: 26 TAC Chapter 746
Texas child care subsidy FAQ
What is the childcare subsidy program in Texas?
Child Care Services (CCS) is the state's CCDF subsidy, set by the Texas Workforce Commission under 40 TAC Chapter 809 and delivered by 28 local Workforce Development Boards. Families qualify at or below 85% of State Median Income, with an asset test of $1,000,000 or less (§809.41), and the Parent Share of Cost is a sliding scale capped at 7% of family income (§809.19). A child may have no more than 40 unexplained absences per 12-month eligibility period (§809.78). Attendance runs through TX3C on a parent or sponsor PIN plus signature; a photo is optional.
Disclaimer: These figures summarize 26 TAC Chapter 746 and its companion chapters for convenience; confirm current requirements directly with HHSC Child Care Regulation before making licensing decisions. This page is a summary for informational purposes only and is not legal or compliance advice. Confirm with Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation.