Child Day Care Assistance

Westchester County offers financial assistance to eligible families to help with the cost of child day care.

The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) is available to eligible households with working parents with income below 85% of the state median income. Parents must pay a share of child care costs. The parent share is based on household income.

The Westchester Works Scholarship program is available to certain eligible families above the income limit for the Child Care Assistance Program but below 400% of the federal poverty level. The Westchester Works Scholarship program is currently waitlisted due to overwhelming demand.

More information on these programs is available below. Parents are invited to reach out to the Child Care Assistance Office:

Child Care Assistance Office
10 County Center Road, 2nd Floor, White Plains, NY 10607
Hours: Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: (914) 995-6521 or (914) 995-6522
Fax: (914) 813-4309

For Families:

• Online: New York State Child Care Assistance Application Portal     
• In Person: Application packets may be requested in-person at any DSS District Office 
• By Phone, Fax or Mail: Applications packets may be requested by phone, fax, or mail from:

• Forms are also availble for download in many languages from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services 

 Am I Eligible?

• Check your eligibility online with this New York State online Child Care Assistance Eligibility Questionnaire

Financial Guidelines

CCAP Financial Guidelines, effective from June 1, 2025 - May 31, 2026:

Detailed Eligibility Information

Eligibility Is Based On:

• Need for child care
• Household gross income
• Service unit size (parent(s) and children under 18, with certain exceptions for 18–20-year-olds)

(The service unit size is defined as the parent or parents and their children under 18 residing in the household. However, certain household situations exist where an 18-, 19- or 20-year-olds may be included in the service unit.)

General Guidelines:

• You must use an eligible child care provider.
• Households with working parents and income below 85% of the state median income qualify.
• Some families may be guaranteed child care assistance.

Assistance Is Guaranteed If:

• You receive Temporary Assistance and need child care for work or required employment activities.
• You recently became ineligible for Temporary Assistance due to employment or increased income (under 200%  of the federal poverty level).
• A parent share is still required and it is calculated based on income.

What "Parent Share" Will I Have to Pay?

1. Calculate your total gross household income.
2. Subtract the 100% poverty level for your family size.
3. Multiply the result by 0.01.
4. Divide by 52 to get your weekly contribution (parent share).

WESTCHESTER WORKS SCHOLARSHIP  *The Scholarship Is Currently Waitlisted Due to Overwhelming Demand*

How to Apply

• Applications are made through the Child Care Council of Westchester.
• Application forms in English and Spanish as well as more information about the scholarship are availble on the Child Care Council of Westchester website, or by calling (914) 761-3456 x140 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Am I Eligible?

• If your income is between 85% of the State Median Income (SMI) and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level, you may qualify for the Westchester Works Scholarship.
• Applicants (all parents in household) must live in Westchester County, be employed at least 10 hours per week, both parents (if applicable) need to working at the same time care is needed, and earning at least minimum wage.
• Child care provider must be located in Westchester County.
• Total gross household annual income must be within the income eligible guidelines listed below. Your household income includes all income, such as wages/salary, child support, SSI, etc.
• This scholarship is only open to applicants who do not receive or are not eligible for any other financial assistance for child care through any public or state program.
• Child care must be in an OCFS regulated program, Dept. of Health Camp with valid permit, or a scholarship-approved exempt/informal provider

Financial Guidelines

Westchester Works Child Care Scholarship Financial Guidelines 

• The Child Care Council of Westchester maintains an online database of child care providers.
• Contact the Child Care Council of Westchester, free of charge, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. at (914) 761-3456 for referrals.
• The Child Care Council evaluates legally exempt providers to ensure they meet health and safety standards set by NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS).

• Licensed child care centers
• Registered family day care and group family day care homes
• Legally exempt providers approved by the Child Care Council of Westchester

For Child Care Providers:

PAYMENT GUIDELINES

Child care payments made by Westchester County are subject to limitations set by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS):

• Market Rate Cap: Payments to child care providers will not exceed the market rate established by OCFS for the applicable provider type and region.
• Paid Absences: Providers may receive payment for a maximum of 80 child absences per program year, per child. Absences must be consistent with the child’s authorized schedule.
• Paid Closures: Providers may be reimbursed for up to 20 program closures per year, such as holidays, professional development days or emergency-related closures. These closures must be part of the provider’s published calendar and apply to all enrolled children.

FORMS AND DOCUMENTS

• Form 536 - Child Care Provider Schedule Form: Required to establish or update your authorized child care schedule. Available in English and Spanish.
• Form 2165 - Daily Attendance Record: Providers must complete and submit this form monthly: