Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF): quick facts
The Child Care and Development Fund is the main federal program that helps low-income families pay for child care so parents can work, attend training, or go to school. States, territories, and tribes receive the funding and run their own s…
Administered by
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, administered by states, territories, and tribes
Who it's for
Working, training, or studying low-income parents who need help paying for child care; many recipients are working mothers. Open to women and men alike.
What it funds
Subsidies that lower the cost of child care from eligible providers
Repayable?
Subsidy (not a loan, not repaid)
Where to apply
Apply through your state, territorial, or tribal child-care agency; find it via childcare.gov
Full child care and development fund (ccdf) page →
Official sources: HHS Administration for Children & Families — Office of Child Care (Child Care and Development Fund). This page is educational information, not financial or legal advice; grants are competitive and never guaranteed. See our sources & how-we-work policy.