Childcare Subsidies in Oregon
Financial assistance programs to help Oregon families pay for daycare and childcare.
Oregon Employment Related Day Care (ERDC)
Preschool Promise for 3-4 year olds.
Am I Eligible?
How to Apply for Child Care Assistance in Oregon
Application Process
Apply for Oregon's Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) through the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) online at one.oregon.gov or at your local ODHS Self-Sufficiency office. The ONE (Oregon Eligibility) portal handles ERDC alongside SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid. Documents needed include proof of income, Oregon residency, Social Security numbers, and verification of employment (ERDC specifically requires employment, not just education or training). You must be working and earning at least the federal minimum wage for the hours claimed. Processing takes 2-4 weeks.
Co-Pay Structure
Oregon's ERDC co-pay is based on family income and size. The income ceiling is $60,708 for a family of four. Families below 100% FPL pay $0. Above that, co-pays increase on a sliding scale; a family earning $45,000 might pay $100-$200/month. Oregon recently reduced co-pays as part of its post-COVID investments in child care. Co-pays are assessed per family, not per child. The co-pay schedule is published by ODHS and is available on the ERDC website.
Waitlist Reality
Oregon does not currently maintain a waitlist for ERDC. The state has been able to serve all eligible families since expanding funding through the ARPA and state investments. The severe child care shortage is the bigger issue: Oregon lost roughly 25% of its child care capacity during COVID, and rebuilding has been slow. Portland, Eugene, and Salem have the most providers, but even there, infant care waitlists at individual centers can be 6-12 months.
Additional Programs in Oregon
Oregon's Preschool Promise program provides free preschool for 3 and 4-year-olds from families at or below 200% FPL, with slots expanding annually. The Oregon Pre-Kindergarten (OPK, the state's Head Start program) is widely available. Baby Promise provides subsidized infant and toddler care slots at higher reimbursement rates. Spark (Oregon's QRIS) rates providers on a 1-5 star scale. Oregon also offers a refundable Working Family Household and Dependent Care Tax Credit on state taxes. The Preschool for All program in Multnomah County (Portland) provides free preschool for all children regardless of income.
Tips for Oregon Parents
If you are in Multnomah County, apply for Preschool for All (free for everyone, no income test) through preschoolforall.org. If your child is 3-4 and income is below 200% FPL, apply for Preschool Promise (free). Use ERDC for before/after hours and for younger children. File your Oregon state taxes even if you owe nothing, because the Working Family Credit is refundable and can be worth $1,000+. Apply through one.oregon.gov to bundle ERDC with other benefits. Start your provider search immediately, as Oregon's provider shortage is among the worst in the nation.
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 Oregon
Compare childcare prices across 36 counties in Oregon. Center-based infant care averages $12,640/year.
View Oregon daycare costs →