Child Care Subsidies & Assistance in District of Columbia
DC's Child Care Subsidy covers families up to 300% FPL at entry and 85% SMI continuing. A waitlist reopened May 12, 2026 — only protective-services and homeless families enroll now. PK3 and PK4 universal (~95% of 4-yo). KCCATC pays $1,200 per under-4 child.
Data current as of June 22, 2026
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Child care subsidy (CCDF) in District of Columbia
- Program name
- DC Child Care Subsidy Program
- Administered by
- DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE)
- Income ceiling
- Family income up to 300% of the federal poverty level at entry; up to 85% State Median Income ($134,160 for a family of four) for continued eligibility at 12-month redetermination.
- Family fee / copay
- Sliding-scale parent fee effective October 25, 2024. Copay applies to the two oldest children and is locked for the 12-month eligibility period. Families below 150% FPL pay $0, as do TANF recipients, families experiencing homelessness, children with disabilities, and several other exempt categories.
- Waitlist status
- Recently re-opened — DC reopened a formal waitlist on May 12, 2026. Only Priority Group 1 (children in protective services and children experiencing homelessness) is enrolling immediately; Priority Groups 2 through 6 are placed on the waitlist.
Income limits by family size
| Family size | Initial eligibility ceiling (annual) | Redetermination ceiling (annual, 85% SMI) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $45,180 | $69,276 |
| 2 | $61,320 | $91,980 |
| 3 | $77,460 | $113,608 |
| 4 | $93,600 | $134,160 |
| 5 | $109,740 | $157,294 |
| 6 | $125,880 | $176,232 |
| 7 | $142,020 | $179,892 |
| 8 | $158,160 | $184,520 |
- Initial eligibility ceiling (annual): 300% of the 2024 federal poverty guidelines. Maximum gross income to first qualify for the DC Child Care Subsidy.
- Redetermination ceiling (annual, 85% SMI): 85% of DC State Median Income. Maximum gross income to continue receiving the subsidy at 12-month recertification.
DC Child Care Subsidy Program Sliding Fee Scale effective October 25, 2024 (OSSE). Initial eligibility ceiling is 300% of the 2024 HHS federal poverty guidelines — figures taken directly from the 291–300% FPL row of the OSSE table. Redetermination/continuing eligibility ceiling is 85% of DC State Median Income; the family-of-four figure ($134,160) is confirmed in the OSSE FAQ. The 85% SMI for each family size is the last income value in the OSSE table before the 'n/a' designation (which marks ineligibility). The SMI increment compresses sharply above family size 5, reflecting DC's income distribution for larger households. Effective October 25, 2024; check the state portal for the latest figures.
Priority groups (served first)
- Priority Group 1 — Children in protective services and children experiencing homelessness (currently enrolling)
- Priority Groups 2–6 — Waitlisted as of May 12, 2026 (see OSSE waitlist page for current order)
State pre-K in District of Columbia
- Program name
- DC Universal Pre-K (PK3 and PK4)
- Administered by
- DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE); enrollment via My School DC
- Access
- Universal
- Eligibility
- DC residents. PK3 requires the child to turn 3 by September 30; PK4 requires the child to turn 4 by September 30. No income test. Free.
- Coverage
- Approximately 95% of DC 4-year-olds enrolled in public pre-K (OSSE FY2024 Annual Pre-K Report) — one of the highest coverage rates in the United States. Apply via the unified My School DC lottery; SY26-27 application deadline was March 2, 2026.
- Apply
- www.myschooldc.org/
State tax credits & extras in District of Columbia
- State CDCC
- District of Columbia does not offer a state Child and Dependent Care Credit. DC does not offer a state Child and Dependent Care Credit. Instead, DC families with a child under age 4 can claim the refundable Keep Child Care Affordable Tax Credit (KCCATC) — see Other state programs below.
Other state programs and credits
- Keep Child Care Affordable Tax Credit (KCCATC) — up to $1,200 per eligible childRefundable DC tax credit for child care expenses paid for a dependent child under age 4 not yet in pre-K. Tax year 2025 amount is $1,200 per child (up from $1,160 in TY2024). Income limits: $180,100 for single / head of household / joint filers; $90,000 for married filing separately. Claimed on Schedule ELC with Schedule S filed on Form D-40. DC residency required.
Where to apply or get help in District of Columbia
- Find a licensed daycare in District of ColumbiaChildery directory — quality ratings, ZIP & city search
- District of Columbia child care portalosse.dc.gov/service/child-care-subsidy-program
- Eligibility screenerdata.osse.dc.gov/childcare-subsidy/
- District of Columbia 211 (dial 2-1-1)211warmline.dc.gov/
- DC Child Care Subsidy waitlist status (OSSE)osse.dc.gov/subsidywaitlist
- DC Universal Pre-K — My School DC enrollmentwww.myschooldc.org/
- Keep Child Care Affordable Tax Credit (KCCATC) FAQs — DC Office of Tax and Revenueotr.cfo.dc.gov/page/keep-child-care-affordable-tax-credit-frequently-asked-questions-faqs
- DC Child Care Connections (referral help line)osse.dc.gov/service/child-care-connections
- Federal childcare.gov — DC resourceswww.childcare.gov/state-resources/district-of-columbia/financial-assistance-resources-for-families
Find a daycare in District of Columbia
Once you know what you qualify for, Childery's directory helps you pick a provider. Browse District of Columbia's licensed daycares with independent Process and Structural quality ratings, or search by ZIP code or city.
Browse District of Columbia daycaresSources
- DC Child Care Subsidy FAQ — OSSE
- DC Child Care Subsidy Waitlist — OSSE (reopened May 12, 2026) (2026)
- DC Subsidy Sliding Fee Scale (effective October 25, 2024) (2024)
- OSSE FY2024 Annual Pre-K Report (95% coverage) (2024)
- Keep Child Care Affordable Tax Credit — DC Office of Tax and Revenue
- My School DC — Universal Pre-K enrollment
- Federal childcare.gov — District of Columbia resources
Every state layers its own program on top of a federal floor — CCDF (the federal block grant), Head Start, the federal DCFSA (employer pre-tax benefit), and the federal Child and Dependent Care Credit. See the federal overview for what the floor looks like before any state adds.