Childcare Subsidies in Louisiana
Financial assistance programs to help Louisiana families pay for daycare and childcare.
Louisiana Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
Lower income threshold. LA 4 free pre-K for 4-year-olds.
Am I Eligible?
How to Apply for Child Care Assistance in Louisiana
Application Process
Apply for Louisiana's Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) through the Louisiana Department of Education at louisianabelieves.com or at your local CCAP agency. Louisiana's system is somewhat unique in that the Department of Education administers child care (not the social services department). You will need proof of income, Louisiana residency, child birth certificates, Social Security numbers, and verification that you are working or in an approved education program. Income limits are low (65% SMI, approximately $38,832 for a family of four), so eligibility is restricted. Processing takes 3-4 weeks.
Co-Pay Structure
Louisiana's co-pay structure reflects the low income ceiling: since only lower-income families qualify, co-pays are modest. Families below 50% SMI pay $0-$25/month. Near the $38,832 ceiling, co-pays may reach $50-$80/month. Louisiana uses a flat monthly co-pay rather than a weekly amount, and the fee is per family rather than per child. The co-pay schedule is published annually by the Department of Education and is available on the CCAP section of louisianabelieves.com.
Waitlist Reality
Louisiana has historically had significant waitlists for CCAP, with thousands of families waiting at any given time. Wait times of 3-12 months have been common, particularly in the Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Shreveport metro areas. The state prioritizes TANF families, child protective services cases, and families transitioning off assistance. If you are placed on the waitlist, you will receive a notification when a slot opens, but call monthly to confirm your status.
Additional Programs in Louisiana
Louisiana's LA 4 program provides free pre-K for all 4-year-olds regardless of income, funded jointly by state and federal dollars. This is a significant resource and one of the few truly universal pre-K programs in the South. Cecil Picard LA 4 Early Childhood Program slots are available in both public schools and participating private centers. Head Start is widely available, especially in rural parishes. Louisiana also has a Child Care Tax Credit that provides a refundable state credit based on the federal CDCTC.
Tips for Louisiana Parents
Enroll your 4-year-old in LA 4 immediately; it is free for all Louisiana families and widely available. Use CCAP only for before/after care and for younger children. Since the income limit is low and waitlists are common, apply as early as possible. If you are denied, the appeal process goes through the Department of Education, not DHS. The Louisiana Policy Institute for Children (policyinstitutela.org) publishes helpful guides on navigating the child care system. Choose a provider with a high performance score on louisianabelieves.com for better outcomes.
Federal Programs Available Everywhere
Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit
Claim 20-35% of childcare expenses on your federal taxes.
Dependent Care FSA (DCFSA)
Employer-sponsored pre-tax account for childcare expenses. 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 Louisiana
Compare childcare prices across 64 counties in Louisiana. Center-based infant care averages $7,397/year.
View Louisiana daycare costs →