Need help paying for child care?
What's Available?
Eligibility
You may get help from the Child Care Assistance program if you:
- Have a child who needs care who is under the age of 13 (or under the age of 19 if the child has special needs).
- Are a member of a Family Investment Program (FIP) participant household.
If you're not a Family Investment Program participant, you may qualify for the CCA program if you:
- Have a child who needs care who is under the age of 13 (or under the age of 19 if the child has special needs) and have income under the program's limits and work an average of 28 hours per week; or
- Attend an approved training or education program full-time; or
- Attend approved training part-time and also work part-time for a total of at least 28 hours per week; or
- Are looking for work; or
- Become unable to work or attend school because of an approved medical reason.
NOTE: Child care provided while you participate in postsecondary education or training has a 24-month lifetime limit.
How do I Apply?
HHS CCA Eligibility
2309 Euclid Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50310-5703
Links to Program Applications
Who Can Care for My Child?
You may choose a child care provider from a variety of arrangements. You can choose:
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A licensed child care center, including licensed before and after school programs
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A registered child development home
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A nonregistered child care home
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Someone who cares for your children in your own home
What Must My Child Care Provider Do?
Your provider must be approved by DHS in order to receive payment from the CCA program. Many providers are already approved by DHS to provide care for the CCA program. If you do not know whether your provider is approved, ask your DHS CCA worker for assistance.
What If I Have Questions?
Contact the Centralized Child Care Assistance Eligibility Unit (CCA) at 866-448-4605 or email ccaapps@dhs.state.ia.us for questions about child care. The CCCAU determines initial and ongoing eligibility for Child Care Assistance. Their work includes processing new applications, reviews, and changes reported by families receiving Child Care assistance. The Unit also processes child care payments for providers and handles all provider applications, renewals, and changes reported by providers.
Rights
You have the right to request an appeal if you disagree with a decision the Department of Health and Human Services makes. For information on how to file, visit the Appeals Section pages.
You have the right to ask for an exception to policy for an item or service not otherwise covered by the Department of Health and Human Services. For information on how to file, visit the Exception to Policy page.