Child Care Assistance
ChildCareGroup manages the Child Care Assistance (CCA) program, a child care scholarship program, which provides qualified families with child care scholarships to offset the high cost of child care so that parents can go to work or attend school or job training. Eligible families can seek financial support for care for their children from birth to age 12.
Texas counties we serve:
- Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas - Dallas County (Dallas Region) 214-630-5949; 214-688-4436 (fax)
- Workforce Solutions Heart of Texas - Bosque, Falls, Freestone, Hill, Limestone, McLennan Counties (Heart of Texas Region) 800-772-2269
- Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas - Hardin, Jefferson, Orange Counties (Southeast Texas Region) 409-839-8045
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat are the basic eligibility requirements?
The child is either younger than 13 years of age or who has a documented disability and is younger than 19 years of age, and they can not care for themselves, and you need help to remain employed.
- The child receiving a scholarship must be a US citizen or legal immigrant.
- The child resides with one of the following:
- A family within Dallas County whose income does not exceed 85 percent of the state median income for a family of the same size and whose assets do not exceed $1 million as certified by a family member and with parents who require child care in order to work, including job search, or attend job training or an educational program.
- An individual standing in loco parentis for the child while the child’s parent or parents are on military deployment and the deployed military parent’s income does not exceed 85 percent of the state median income for a family of the same size
- A family that meets the definition of experiencing homelessness.
- The child’s family income does not exceed 85 percent of the state median income (SMI). Income for teen parents is based solely on the teen’s income
- Child care is required for the child’s parent to work or attend a job training or educational program for a combination of at least an average of 25 hours per week for a single-parent family or 50 hours per week for a two-parent family
What are the different types of Scholarships you offer?
We offer different Child Care Scholarships based on different eligibility requirements:
- Initial Job Search Scholarship –This allows you to enter the program without working so you can secure employment. The key factor here is you must have verifiable employment within 90 days or services will end. If you are working, we will provide the remaining months to your 12-month eligibility.
- Employment/Education/Workforce Training Scholarship – This is for parents who are working, in college or a job training program that leads to one of the following: basic literacy, English proficiency, an occupational or professional certification or license, and the acquisition of technical skills, knowledge and abilities specific to an occupation.
- Teenage Parent Scholarship – This allows teen parents 18 years or younger, or 19 years of age and attending high school or the equivalent to receive their diploma or certificate. Eligibility is based on the teen and not the parent of the teen.
What are the income guidelines based on family size?
The income threshold is based on the gross monthly income (GMI) and the family size. The Texas Workforce Commissions sets the limit for Texas at 85% SMI. The income ranges are updated on October 1st every year.
| Family Size (how many in the household): |
Income Limit (Max GMI) (income can not exceed this amount) |
| 2 | $4,550.00 |
| 3 | $5,621.00 |
| 4 | $6,691.00 |
| 5 | $7,762.00 |
| 6 | $8,833.00 |
| 7 | $9,033.00 |
| 8 | $9,234.00 |
| 9 | $9,435.00 |
| 10 | $9,636.00 |
| 11 | $9,836.00 |
| 12 | $10,037.00 |
| 13 | $10,238.00 |
| 14 | $10,438.00 |
| 15 | $10,639.00 |
Once approved, how long can I receive assistance?
Your eligibility is approved for 12 months.
What are the reasons my services could end before the 12 months is over?
- Failure to pay your assigned parent share of cost to your provider
- Your child being absent (not recording attendance as required is defined as an absence) 40 more or more days within the 12 month eligibility
- If placed in care for job search, your services will end if you do not meet the activity requirements within the three month timeframe
- Suspected fraud
If my information changes within the 12 months, do I need to report?
Yes! You are required to report within 14 calendar days of the occurrence, only the following:
- Changes in family income or family size that would cause the family to exceed the income threshold
- Changes in work or attendance at a job training or an educational program that are permanent
- Any change in family residence, primary phone number or e-mail address (if applicable)
NOTE: Failure to report such changes may result in fact-finding for suspected fraud
How much does it cost and who do I pay?
The cost of care is based on your household size, the household income, and how many children are receiving services. You pay the assigned child care program based on their payment policies.
What if I can not pay the cost?
This is a requirement to receive services. If you have an extenuating circumstance and can provide documented evidence of it, then you may request a temporary reduction to help for a short period of time. A couple of examples may include:
- Car repairs you had to paid
- Unexpected medical bills that you paid
If I receive services because I attend education, what are the requirements and time limits?
A statewide policy for parents enrolled in an educational program, who is attending the educational program full time and receiving child care assistance while the parent is in the education program, for a cumulative total of 60 months. The limit applies only to parents enrolled full-time in a postsecondary undergraduate education program.
The goal of receiving assistance is employment, therefore you must be making progress in your coursework. Making is defined as not being on academic probation.
Take The Next Step -- Find out if you are eligible for a financial scholarship
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