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How to Apply for Child Care Assistance

happy children's faces; a baby sits, playing with colorful wooden blocks; a child care taker watches over three children, one boy is building a colorful tower using colorful plastic blocks

The Division of Child Care offers child care assistance for:

  • Low-income working families
  • Teen parents enrolled in high school, GED, ESOL, or remedial education programs
  • Residents of homeless or domestic violence shelters
  • Individuals who are unable to care for their children due to a physical, mental or emotional condition
  • Individuals who are unavailable to care for their children due to participation in court-ordered community service or participation in a drug treatment program
  • Individuals who are currently receiving full-time DES child care assistance who enroll in a full-time education or employment training program, and submit a work requirement waiver to DES, including proof of enrollment

Child care assistance is also available for grandparents and guardians:

  • When the parent of the child is not living in the same home
  • When the grandparent or guardian is engaged in an eligible activity
  • Note: Only income received on behalf of the child is considered.

Child care assistance is available without regard to income for the following:

  • DES Cash Assistance recipients
    • Grant Diversion program for job search
    • TANF recipients who are employed
  • Referrals from a DES Jobs Program
  • Referrals from the Arizona Department of Child Safety or Tribal Child Welfare program

Documents Center for Families - search for reports, forms, policies and pamphlets and posters with information about child care programs and services.

Additional Student Resources

Student parents attending school at a DES Higher Education Child Care Project (HECCP) community college or university may be eligible for child care assistance through one of these participating HECCP institutions:

HECCP eligibility:

Student with a child Birth through age 12, with a household income of 85% of the State Median Income or less. 

To learn more about the HECCP, contact your school’s HECCP administrator, scholarships office, or student services.
 

Apply for Child Care Assistance

Submit the following to a local office:

  • A completed Application for Child Care Assistance
  • Proof of identity for the applicant
  • Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Qualified Immigrant Status for all children needing care
  • Selected a DES Contracted Child Care Provider 
    • As part of the application process, please select a DES-approved child care provider by calling 1-800-308-9000 or by visiting azccrr.com

Submit the following verification of eligible activity documents (as applicable) to a local office:

Submit the following additional verification documents (as applicable) to a local office:

  • Proof of unearned income, such as Social Security Income (SSI), Child Support, loans, etc.
  • Proof of relationship or guardianship when the applicant is not the parent of the children needing care.

Effective July 1, 2022, individuals who are currently receiving full-time Child Care Assistance may submit documentation to waive work requirements while participating in a full-time education or employment training program. Eligible individuals can contact their local DES Office or Child Care Eligibility Specialist for additional information.

When an Application for Child Care Assistance is not required:

  • Referrals from a DES Jobs Program
  • Referrals from the Arizona Department of Child Safety or Tribal Child Welfare program

Find a local DES Office

After The Application

Please note that applications for child care can take up to 30 days to process and complete.

  • Submit your completed application to your local DES Child Care office:
  • Once your application is received:
    • An Eligibility Specialist will contact you for an interview.
    • The Eligibility Specialist will let you know if additional information is needed. 
      • Please do not disregard correspondence from the DES Division of Child Care, as this may delay services.
  • Your assigned Eligibility Specialist will:
    • Review your application
    • Let you know if additional information or verification is needed
    • Determine whether you qualify for child care assistance and what your copay would be
  • Be available to discuss any other relevant information
  • If you do not agree with the determination of your application, you may submit a Fair Hearing Request to your assigned Eligibility Specialist in person, by email or fax. After the request is received, the DES Fair Hearing Unit will complete the review process.

For more information, contact your local DES office to speak with a Child Care Eligibility Specialist.

Documents Center for Families - search for reports, forms, policies and pamphlets and posters with information about child care programs and services.

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