Description
UPDATE: Beginning May 1, 2025, has temporarily frozen new applications. Participating families are not impacted. Families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are exempt from the enrollment freeze. If they meet all other eligibility requirements, they can receive a Child Care Scholarship. Applications submitted during the freeze will be processed, and if eligible and approved, families will be added to a frozen status list. The freeze will be lifted once additional funding becomes available.
CHILD CARE EXPENSE ASSISTANCE: Provides financial assistance with child care costs to eligible working families. Families must meet income guidelines below. Families must include a parent or guardian who is who is working/employed, or in an approved training program or attending school, the household must meet income guidelines, and include a child who is younger than 13, or a child ages 13-19 years old who has a qualifying disability. Children must be US citizens but parents or guardians do not. Children must be immunized to Maryland state standards or provide documentation supporting Exemption from Immunization. Also assists families with locating a licensed child care provider. The Fast Track Child Care Scholarship application process reduces wait to three (3) business days for assistance with child care expenses, and if eligible 60 days of child care assistance while the application is processed. NOTE: Fast Track is also on pause due to funding.
For customer inquiries complete the contact form or email. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScSUapLuOHlrcJfrHjO2p6XXLJYAEShAlGFMGNBuSfzmLS0Kg/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0
Families in the following income categories may be eligible for a Child Care Scholarship: (Effective December 15, 2024, still in use as of 6/30/26.)
Maximum Annual Income | Child Care Scholarship Program |
| Family Size | Initial Income Scale*
Maximum Annual Income | Continuation Income Scale**
Maximum Annual Income |
| Table used for new applications | Table used for Changes/Redetermination |
| Family of 2 | $76,117 | $86,266 |
| Family of 3 | $94,026 | $106,563 |
| Family of 4 | $111,936 | $126,861 |
| Family of 5 | $129,846 | $147,159 |
| Family of 6 | $147,756 | $167,457 |
| Family of 7 | $151,114 | $171,262 |
| Family of 8 | $154,472 | $175,068 |
| Family of 9 | $157,830 | $178,874 |
| Family of 10 | $161,188 | $182,680 |
| Family of 11 | $164,546 | $186,486 |
| Family of 12 | $167,904 | $190,292 |
* Initial Income Scale - families without an active child care scholarship - family income must be below Initial Income Scale**Continuation Income Scale - families with at least one active child care scholarship - family income must be below Continuation Income Scale