Child Care Assistance in Washington

The Washington State Department of Early Learning offers a variety of state subsidy programs to help Washington residents afford child care. Homeless families may be eligible to receive help affording child care so that parents are able to seek employment and housing. In order to qualify, families must be actively pursuing seasonal employment, seeking help for mental health or substance abuse issues or enrolled in other social service training classes. Families employed through agricultural work may be eligible for seasonal child care if they reside in specific counties and have an income below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line listed above. Low-income families may be eligible for Working Connections Child Care, a program working families who make below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line annually. Visit the Washington State Department of Early Learning to read more about the different types of child care financial assistance offered to Washington residents.

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.