Every child deserves access to quality care, and financial support can help make that a reality for families. State and federal programs can provide free or reduced‑cost child care, while tax benefits allow families to recover some of their expenses.
Child care subsidies offer direct government assistance to lower or fully cover the cost of care for eligible children, with specific requirements that vary by program type.
Free or Reduced Cost Child Care
Based on income or special status, families may qualify for free or reduced-cost child care through voucher programs, direct contracts, or special status opportunities. Read on to learn about some of these opportunities and contact your local Resource & Referral (R&R) Agency to determine eligibility and apply for subsidy assistance. When you are ready, the R&R can also help you locate child care programs near you that accept subsidies.
Voucher Programs
Programs that provide families with vouchers to reduce or cover child care costs.
- CalWORKs Child Care
A state-run public assistance program that helps families access immediate child care as the parent works or performs their welfare-to-work activity. This program is administered in three stages. Learn more about the different stages and eligibility requirements on the CDSS website.
- Alternative Payment Program (CAPP)
Agencies contract directly with the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) to distribute federal and state subsidies (vouchers) for CalWORKs and eligible low-income, working families. The program helps to ensure working parents can choose child care programs that best meet their families’ needs. The Resource and Referral (R&R) agencies that serve LA City also function as CAPP agencies. Locate your local R&R here or find a list of CAPP agencies on the Thriving Families CA website.
- Emergency Child Care Bridge Program for Children in Foster Care
The Emergency Child Care Bridge Program provides short-term (typically 6-12 months) child care vouchers to reduce the cost of child care for families bringing a child in the foster care system into their home or for parenting youth in foster care. Subsidies can be used for care in centers, in family child care homes, or provided by license-exempt caregivers (FFNs).
Direct Contracts
For these programs, state and federal entities contract directly with child care providers to reduce or cover child care costs for eligible families. To learn more about each program, visit the CDSS website.
- California State Preschool Program (CSPP)
CSPP Provides both part-day and full-day services for eligible children ages 2-5 years.
- California’s General Child Care and Development (CCTR)
CCTR programs provide child development services for children ages 0-12 years and older children with exceptional needs.
- Head Start
A federal program that provides free child care for families living below the federal poverty line. Other vulnerable populations such as children in foster care, children who are homeless, or children in families that receive public assistance may also qualify. Head Start serves children ages 3-5 while Early Head Start serves infants and toddlers under the age of 3.
To learn more and find a Head Start program near you, visit the headstart.gov website.
- Family Child Care Home Education Networks (FCCHEN)
A group of licensed family child care homes focused on services for low-income families that receive additional state funding for participating in enhanced training, meeting stricter education code standards, and providing additional supportive services for families (such as parenting education and social and health service referrals).
- Migrant Program (CMIG)
Program provides services to families who earn at least 50% of their total gross income from employment in fishing, agriculture, or agriculturally related work.
Special Status Opportunities
Local and federal governments provide resources to help families working in certain industries pay for care. They include:
- Military Child Care
The Los Angeles Air Force Base Child Development Center is a child care center operated by the Department of Defense. The program offers full day care to infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children. To learn more, visit the Military Child Care website.
Military families may also be eligible for the Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN), a fee-assistance program to help reduce the cost of community-based care.
- Employer-Reduced Child Care
Some employers may provide child care support as part of their benefits package for employees. Contact your employer to determine if they provide any of the following opportunities.
- On-site Child Care: Some employers have an on-site child care program at the workplace and may provide employees with discounted tuition as part of their benefits package.
- Cash Subsidies: Some employers subsidize child care costs for their employees by paying directly for care or paying into a dependent care spending account.
- Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (DCFSA): This is a pre-tax benefit account used to pay for eligible dependent care expenses. The money that is deposited into a DCFSA is not subject to payroll taxes. Learn about eligible expenses and how much you can save with the DCFSA calculator tool.
Visit the California Department of Social Services to use the Child Care Family Fee Rate Calculator. The calculator is a tool that can help you estimate your monthly family fees, similar to a copay, that your family may be required to pay for any of the following child care assistance programs:
- Alternative Payment Programs (CAPP), including Migrant Alternative Payment Programs (CMAP)
- Migrant Child Care and Development Programs (CMIG)
- General Child Care and Development Programs (CCTR)
- Family Child Care Home Education Networks (CFCC)
- California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) Stages One, Two (C2AP), and Three (C3AP)
Tax Benefits
Families with children may be eligible for thousands in state tax credits. Eligible taxpayers can use tax credits to reduce their tax bill and potentially increase their refund.
State tax credits may be more accessible than federal tax credits because families can be eligible for most state tax credits with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), whereas many federal tax credits require a Social Security Number (SSN). The CalEITC is a refundable tax credit that can increase your tax refund or decrease the amount of taxes you owe. The amount of the CalEITC depends on your household status and family size. Visit caleitc4me.org to determine how much your family can get back!
State Tax Credits
- California Earned Income Tax Credit
The California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) provides support for low-income, working Californians. Families may be eligible for thousands of dollars in cash back or a reduction of the taxes they owe. Learn more about eligibility requirements. You can also use the EITC Calculator to estimate your tax credit.
- California’s Young Child Tax Credit
The Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC) provides up to $1,189 per eligible tax return for tax year 2025. Qualifying families must have an earned income of $32,900 or less, have a qualifying child under 6 years old at the end of the tax year, and qualify for CalEITC.
- Child and Dependent Care Expenses Credit
If you have earned income and paid someone to take care of your child while you worked or looked for work, you may be eligible to apply for the Child and Dependent Care Expenses credit. If you qualify, you may claim expenses up to $3,000 for one person and $6,000 for 2 or more people based on a percentage of what you paid for care.
- Child Adoption Costs Credit
If you adopted a child in California who is a U.S. citizen or legal resident, you can claim a Child Adoption Costs credit for 50% of qualifying adoption costs (up to $2,500 per child per tax year). Qualifying expenses can include travel expenses, medical costs, and adoption agency fees.
- Joint Custody Head of Household
You may claim a maximum of $610 in credit if you have joint custody of a child, stepchild, or grandchild and you pay for more than half their expenses. If you claim this credit, you cannot claim the dependent parent credit (care for an elderly parent).