Battle Lake, MN

Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program

The Child Care Assistance Program requires that all families pay a copayment fee. The copayment amount is based on family size and gross annual income after allowable deductions. Families pay copayments to their child care provider biweekly.

The Child Care Assistance Program’s copayment schedules have been updated to reflect the state median income guidelines for federal fiscal year 2018. The new copayment schedules are effective October 9, 2017 and remain in effect until new copayment schedules are published.

To be income eligible to receive child care assistance, families currently receiving benefits from the Minnesota Family Investment Program must have a gross annual income that is at or below the 67 percent exit level for their household size. All other Child Care Assistance Program applicants must have a gross annual income that is at or below the 47 percent entrance level for their household size. 

Once a family is determined eligible, their gross annual income must be at or below the 85 percent exit level for their household size during their 12-month eligibility period to continue receiving child care assistance.

At redetermination, a family’s gross annual income cannot exceed the 67 percent exit limit. If their income exceeds 67 percent for their household size at redetermination, the family is no longer eligible for child care assistance.

• For more information about the Child Care Assistance program click here.