Child Care Assistance in South Dakota

South Dakota residents looking for financial assistance for child care may qualify for the South Dakota Department of Social Services’ Division of Child Care Services. The Division of Child Care Services helps to make child care more affordable for low-income families so that it’s possible for the child’s parents to hold stable jobs or attend an approved educational program. The Child Care Assistance Program is one child care payment opportunity for families in-need. In order to qualify, each parent and guardian in the family must work or be enrolled in an educational program at least 20 hours each week. Those enrolled in the program will be expected to make a co-pay toward the weekly child care payment. The amount of the co-pay will vary from family to family and depends on factors such as family income and size. For information about how to apply, visit the Child Care Assistance Program.

How to get started:
To get started in the enrollment process, find the programs in your area by using the online Head Start Locator.

Many programs use the Federal Poverty Line as a guide for financial assistance with child care. If your annual income is at or below the poverty line, you may qualify for financial help. These are the guidelines:

• A family of 1 must make less than $11,490 per year.


• A family of 2 must make less than $15,510 per year.


• A family of 3 must make less than $19,530 per year.


• A family of 4 must make less than $23,550 per year.


• A family of 5 must make less than $27,570 per year.


• A family of 6 must make less than $31,590 per year.


• A family of 7 must make less than $35,610 per year.


• A family of 8 must make less than $39,630 per year.