Child Care Assistance in Virginia

The Virginia Department of Social Services offers the Child Care Subsidy Program to help families who qualify cover the costs of child care. The program focuses on the wider goal to help support and create self-sufficient families. Virginia thinks that if they can help make child care more affordable in any way, this will allow the parents an opportunity to pursue careers. A career will help create financial stability within the household that originally needed to participate in the Child Care Subsidy Program. To help make the process smoother, Virginia offers qualified families the Virginia Electronic Child Care Card. Users simply swipe the card to check in and out at their chosen child care provider. Screen yourself for eligibility using Common Help.

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.