How do I get childcare assistance in Illinois?

Apply through Illinois Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). Families of 4 earning under $62,604/year may qualify.

What is the income limit for childcare subsidies in Illinois?

For a family of 4, the income limit is approximately $62,604/year (85% of state median income).

Childcare Subsidies in Illinois

Financial assistance programs to help Illinois families pay for daycare and childcare.

$62,604

Income limit (family of 4)

85%

of state median income

$12,258

Avg infant care cost/yr

Illinois Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)

Expanded eligibility in recent years. No waitlist currently.

Am I Eligible?

1. Family income is below $62,604/year for a family of 4 (85% of state median income)

2. Parent/guardian is working, in school, or in an approved training program

3. Child is under 13 years old (or under 19 with special needs)

4. Child is a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen

5. Family resides in Illinois

Apply for Illinois Child Care Assistance

How to Apply for Child Care Assistance in Illinois

Application Process

Apply for the Illinois Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) through your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency or online through the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Application for Benefits Eligibility (ABE) portal at abe.illinois.gov. The ABE portal also handles SNAP and Medicaid, so you can apply for multiple benefits simultaneously. Documents needed include proof of income, Social Security numbers, proof of Illinois residency, and documentation of your work or education activity. Processing takes 2-4 weeks, and Illinois has improved turnaround times significantly since moving to the online system.

Co-Pay Structure

Illinois recently eliminated co-pays for families earning below 100% FPL and reduced co-pays across the board as part of its Smart Start initiative. Above 100% FPL, co-pays are on a modest sliding scale; a family of four earning $45,000 might pay $30-$60/month. Illinois assesses co-pays per family, not per child, which benefits families with multiple children in care. The co-pay cannot exceed 7% of family income under current state policy.

Waitlist Reality

Illinois currently has no waitlist for CCAP, and the state has committed to serving all eligible families. This is a significant improvement from earlier years when waitlists exceeded 10,000 families. The expanded eligibility and no-waitlist policy are funded through a combination of federal CCDF dollars and state budget allocations. If you are eligible, you will be served.

Additional Programs in Illinois

Illinois offers Preschool for All, a state-funded program providing free preschool for 3 and 4-year-olds, with priority given to at-risk children. Chicago has its own separate program through Chicago Early Learning, with a unified enrollment portal (chicagoearlylearning.org). Head Start and Early Head Start are widely available. Illinois also offers the Illinois Early Childhood Block Grant which funds prevention initiatives. The state Child Care Tax Credit provides additional relief on state taxes.

Tips for Illinois Parents

Apply through the ABE portal and check the boxes for SNAP and Medicaid at the same time; you may qualify for multiple benefits. If you are in Chicago, use chicagoearlylearning.org instead of the state portal for a more streamlined experience. Choose an ExceleRate Illinois Gold Circle of Quality provider for the highest standards. Since there is no waitlist, do not delay your application. If you have an irregular work schedule, document it clearly on the application, as Illinois allows flexible scheduling for non-traditional hours.

Federal Programs Available Everywhere

Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit

Claim 20-35% of childcare expenses on your federal taxes.

Max expenses (1 child) $3,000

Max expenses (2+ children) $6,000

Credit percentage 20-35%

Dependent Care FSA (DCFSA)

Employer-sponsored pre-tax account for childcare expenses. Reduces taxable income.

Max annual contribution $5,000

Tax benefit Pre-tax (reduces taxable income)

Head Start / Early Head Start

Free federally funded program for children from low-income families. Head Start: ages 3-5. Early Head Start: birth to 3.

Eligibility: At or below federal poverty level (family of 4: ~$31,200 in 2024).

See Daycare Costs in Illinois

Compare childcare prices across 102 counties in Illinois. Center-based infant care averages $12,258/year.

View Illinois daycare costs →