Your family's income is one of the main factors in determining whether you qualify for childcare financial assistance. Here's how it works.

The Income Limits

Eligibility is based on your family's total gross income (before taxes) compared to the State Median Income (SMI) for your family size.

• To get a new voucher: Your income must be at or below 85% of SMI
• To keep your voucher at renewal: Your income must remain at or below 85% of SMI

Families with income at or below 50% of SMI receive priority access on the waitlist.

What Are the Actual Dollar Amounts?

Here are the current income limits (FY2026) by family size:

At 50% SMI (Priority Access Threshold)

If your family income is at or below these amounts, you receive priority access on the waitlist. This is not an eligibility cutoff — it's the threshold that bumps you up the queue.

Family size	Annual	Monthly
2	$56,425	$4,702
3	$69,701	$5,808
4	$82,978	$6,915
5	$96,254	$8,021
6	$109,531	$9,128
7	$112,020	$9,335

At 85% SMI (Eligibility Threshold — Initial and Continued)

Family size	Annual	Monthly
2	$95,922	$7,994
3	$118,492	$9,874
4	$141,062	$11,755
5	$163,632	$13,636
6	$186,202	$15,517
7	$190,433	$15,869

For families of 8 or more, contact your CCR&R or refer to the full FY26 SMI Chart.

Want a quick check? Try the Eligibility Calculator — enter your family size and monthly income, and it shows where you land on the chart above. Informational only — your CCR&R makes the official determination.

(note - the exact thresholds change every year - make sure you get the most up to date information from your agency)

Family Size — Who Counts?

Your family size includes:

• The parent(s) applying
• All dependent children under 18 (or under 24 if they are full-time students)
• Any dependent relatives living in the household

A larger family size means a higher income limit, so it's important to report everyone in your household accurately.

Example: "I have three children and make $150,000 per year, do I qualify?"

Household	Family Size	85% SMI Limit	Qualifies?
Single mom, 3 kids	4	$141,062	No
Married, 3 kids, two parents	5	$163,632	Yes
Single mom, 3 kids, 1 child over 18 (not in school)	3	$118,492	No
Married, 3 kids, partner has no income	5	$163,632	Yes (only mom's income counts)

Important: Your agency will collect documents (such as your pay stubs) reflecting your monthly income. This is what you should report to them.

What Counts as Income?

The income of both parents living in the household with the child receiving assistance is counted. This includes:

• Wages and salary
• Self-employment income (including cash payments)
• Tips and commissions
• Most other earned income

What Does NOT Count as Income?

The following are excluded when determining your eligibility:

• Child support payments received
• Income of foster parents, caregivers, or other adult family members who are not the child's parent
• Income of siblings who are not receiving childcare financial assistance
• Social Security income (including SSI, survivor's benefits, and SSDI)
• Veteran's Disability benefits
• Earned income of any minor child
• State governmental assistance (TAFDC, CCFA, and similar programs)

Assets

Your family's assets must not exceed $1,000,000. Assets include things like savings accounts, investments, and property. This limit is high enough that it won't affect most families.

The asset requirement is waived for families referred through DTA, DCF, or experiencing homelessness.

What Happens If My Income Changes?

• Income goes above 85% SMI: You must report this to your CCR&R within 30 days. Failure to report can result in an Intentional Program Violation (IPV).
• Income goes down: You can choose to report this at any time — it may lower your parent fee. Otherwise, it will be adjusted at your next reauthorization.
• Got a raise but still under 85% SMI: No action required until your next reauthorization.

Important: You should report all changes of employer or employment status to your CCR&R within 30 days, regardless of whether your income has gone up or down.

See Reporting Changes (1.10) for the full rules on what you must report and when.

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Next Steps

• Estimate where your income lands on the chart: Try the Eligibility Calculator
• Check if your activity qualifies as a service need: See Service Need (1.3)
• See what documents you'll need for income verification: See What Documents Do I Need? (1.4)
• Understand your parent fee: See Parent Fees (1.8)
• Need to report an income change? See Reporting Changes (1.10)