Childcare Subsidies in Minnesota
Financial assistance programs to help Minnesota families pay for daycare and childcare.
Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
Basic Sliding Fee and MFIP child care tracks. Counties administer.
Am I Eligible?
How to Apply for Child Care Assistance in Minnesota
Application Process
Apply for Minnesota's Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) through your county human services agency. Minnesota is a county-administered state, so your application goes to your county (or tribal agency), not the state directly. Applications are available online through MNbenefits.mn.gov for some counties, or you can apply in person at your county office. Two tracks exist: MFIP Child Care (for families receiving Minnesota Family Investment Program/TANF) and Basic Sliding Fee (BSF) for working families not on MFIP. Documents needed include proof of income, Minnesota residency, Social Security numbers, and work or education verification. Processing takes 2-4 weeks.
Co-Pay Structure
Minnesota's co-pay is based on family income and size, with the income ceiling at $67,464 for a family of four. MFIP families pay $0 in co-pays. Basic Sliding Fee co-pays start at $0 for the lowest earners and increase on a gradual sliding scale. A family of four earning $50,000 might pay $150-$250/month. Minnesota's co-pay schedule is set by the state but assessed by the county. Co-pays are per family, not per child.
Waitlist Reality
Minnesota's Basic Sliding Fee program has had chronic waitlists in many counties, sometimes stretching 6-12 months or longer. The waitlist varies dramatically by county: Hennepin County (Minneapolis) and Ramsey County (St. Paul) may have longer waits, while some rural counties have no wait. MFIP families bypass the BSF waitlist entirely. If you are on the waitlist, your county will contact you when a slot opens, but call quarterly to confirm your information is current.
Additional Programs in Minnesota
Minnesota's Voluntary Pre-K program provides free preschool for 4-year-olds in participating school districts, with priority for underserved communities. School Readiness programs are widely available. Head Start and Early Head Start operate in most Minnesota counties. The state offers a robust Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit that is refundable for lower-income families. Parent Aware (Minnesota's QRIS) rates providers on a 1-4 star scale and offers higher reimbursement to rated providers. The Minneapolis and St. Paul Promise programs offer supplemental early childhood funding.
Tips for Minnesota Parents
If you are eligible for MFIP (cash assistance), apply for that first, as MFIP child care has no waitlist and provides immediate access. For the Basic Sliding Fee waitlist, apply to your county as soon as possible. Use Voluntary Pre-K for your 4-year-old (free, contact your school district) and CCAP only for wraparound and younger children. Choose a Parent Aware rated provider for quality assurance. Contact your county's child care referral line (not the state) for the most accurate waitlist information for your area.
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 Minnesota
Compare childcare prices across 87 counties in Minnesota. Center-based infant care averages $11,722/year.
View Minnesota daycare costs →