Child Care Assistance

We know that finding high quality child care is one of the most important parts of parenthood. We help eligible families pay for part of the cost of child care. Eligibility is based on income, work and training hours and household size. Parents can also use our website to search for child care providers by location, quality, cost and more.

Program info

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Get help paying for child care

Our child care assistance programs help parents pay for child care. The income limits are higher than most other assistance programs, so you may be eligible and not know it. For example, a family of four making $7,902 or less per month could qualify. Do not skip applying if you were denied in the past or think you make too much money. The income eligibility limits for child care are updated annually. Our eligibility team will determine what is countable income.

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Find child care that fits

Search our database to find quality child care providers statewide. You can filter results by location, quality rating, ages accepted, care type, cost and whether they accept a Workforce Services’ subsidy. Whether you need full-time, part-time or after school child care, you can find the right program for your family.
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Ensure you have quality child care

We are committed to helping you make informed choices in order to find high-quality child care. Through the Child Care Quality System, eligible child care providers may earn a certified quality rating. If the provider you select has received a high-quality rating, they have demonstrated that they provide a safe and healthy learning environment that supports children’s growth and development.
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How do you apply for child care assistance?

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Step 1
Create a Utah ID or sign in to your account
From jobs.utah.gov, select ‘Sign in’ and ‘myCase’ in the upper right corner. If you have not applied for assistance before, select ‘Apply for Benefits.’ If you have a case number, select ‘Login with UtahID’ or ‘Create Account/Forgot Password.’ View this video for help getting started.
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Step 2
Submit an application

Apply online or in person at a local employment center. Eligibility varies based on your situation. If you are interested, we encourage you to apply. The application is simple and takes less than 30 minutes to complete. You do not need to include your Social Security number on the application, just leave it blank if you prefer. Assistance in other languages (including Spanish) is available by calling 1-866-435-7414.

To qualify you must:

  • Be a parent, foster parent, approved relative or legal guardian to the child needing care
  • Be eligible based on your household size and monthly income. For example, the maximum monthly gross income for a household size of three is $6,637. Keep in mind that the income eligibility limits for child care are higher than most other assistance programs and are updated annually. Our eligibility team will determine what is countable income.
  • Work at least 15 hours or more per week
  • Need ongoing child care for the purpose of employment or approved school or training activities.
  • Select an approved provider who completes all requirements with the Department of Health and Human Services, Child Care Licensing. If you need help finding an approved provider, search for providers in your area on careaboutchildcare.utah.gov and contact them to learn more about their program and availability. You may also choose a Workforce Services approved family, friend or neighbor provider.
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Step 3

Submit items on the verification checklist

Your application will be screened by an eligibility worker. You will receive a verification checklist listing the items needed to process the application and a deadline to return the items. You must select an approved provider before your application can be processed. Submit all requested items within 30 days of the application date. Monthly payments will be made directly to your provider. We may not cover the full cost of care. You will be responsible to pay the difference in cost to your provider.

Apply today for help paying for child care. Keep in mind that the income eligibility limits for child care are higher than most other assistance programs and are updated annually. Our eligibility team will determine what is countable income.