Child Care Subsidies & Assistance in Georgia
Georgia's CAPS subsidy serves families up to 30% of state median income at entry (~$31,768 for a family of four — reduced from 50% SMI in September 2024, now the lowest in the country). State Pre-K is free for every Georgia 4-year-old, regardless of income.
Data current as of May 21, 2026
Child care subsidy (CCDF) in Georgia
- Program name
- Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS)
- Administered by
- Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL)
- Income ceiling
- Family gross income up to 30% of State Median Income (SMI) at initial application — reduced from 50% SMI in September 2024, now the lowest initial threshold in the country. Up to 85% SMI for continuing eligibility and redetermination. Families at or below 50% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) qualify for the very low-income priority group.
- Family fee / copay
- Family fee assessed on a sliding scale by family income, family size, and number of children in care. Parents are also responsible for any gap between CAPS reimbursement and the provider's posted tuition. The federal 2024 Final Rule caps the family fee at 7% of family income.
- Waitlist status
- No typical waitlist — Not an entitlement program — capacity is limited by federal CCDBG and state funding. DECAL serves priority groups first; per GEEARS, roughly 14.8% of income-eligible Georgia children receive a CAPS scholarship.
- Apply
- caps.decal.ga.gov/
Income limits by family size
| Family size | Very low-income priority | Initial eligibility | Ongoing / redetermination |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7,980 | $15,823 | $48,946 |
| 2 | $10,820 | $21,138 | $64,006 |
| 3 | $13,660 | $26,453 | $79,066 |
| 4 | $16,500 | $31,768 | $94,126 |
| 5 | $19,340 | $37,083 | $109,186 |
| 6 | $22,180 | $42,398 | $124,246 |
- Very low-income priority: 50% of the federal poverty level (FPL).
- Initial eligibility: 30% of state median income (SMI) — reduced from 50% SMI effective September 2024.
- Ongoing / redetermination: 85% of state median income (SMI).
30% SMI initial-eligibility threshold effective September 2024 per DECAL Appendix A (effective March 2, 2026). Family-of-four limit ($31,768) confirmed against current Appendix A; other family sizes are extrapolated and may differ by a few hundred dollars — verify on the linked Appendix A PDF before relying on a specific number. Effective March 2, 2026; check the state portal for the latest figures.
Priority groups (served first)
- Very low-income families (at or below 50% of the federal poverty level)
- Families receiving TANF
- Children in DFCS custody
- Children with disabilities
State pre-K in Georgia
- Program name
- Georgia's Pre-K Program
- Administered by
- Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL)
- Access
- Universal
- Eligibility
- Children must be four years old on September 1 of the current school year and be Georgia residents. No income test. 6.5-hour instructional day.
- Coverage
- Approximately 53% of Georgia 4-year-olds enrolled (NIEER State of Preschool 2025 yearbook, 2024-2025 school year).
State tax credits & extras in Georgia
- State CDCC
- Non-refundable. 50% of the federal CDCC. Expanded from 30% to 50% of the federal credit by Georgia HB 136 (signed May 13, 2025), effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026 — first claimable on your 2026 Georgia return filed in early 2027. Reduces your Georgia income tax bill; because it is non-refundable, it does not pay you back if you owe no state income tax.
Other state programs and credits
- Georgia Child Tax Credit ($250 per child under 6)New nonrefundable state credit of $250 for each qualifying child under age 6, created by HB 136 (2025). Effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026 — first claimable on your 2026 Georgia return filed in early 2027.
Where to apply or get help in Georgia
- Find a licensed daycare in GeorgiaChildery directory — quality ratings, ZIP & city search
- Georgia child care portalwww.decal.ga.gov/
- Combined benefits applicationgateway.ga.gov/
- CAPS Family Portalcaps.decal.ga.gov/
- Georgia Pre-K (DECAL)www.decal.ga.gov/Prek/
- United Way Greater Atlanta 211211online.unitedwayatlanta.org/
- Federal childcare.gov — Georgia resourceswww.childcare.gov/state-resources/georgia
Find a daycare in Georgia
Once you know what you qualify for, Childery's directory helps you pick a provider. Browse Georgia's licensed daycares with independent Process and Structural quality ratings, or search by ZIP code or city.
Browse Georgia daycaresSources
- CAPS Appendix A — Maximum Income Limits by Family Size (effective March 2, 2026) (2026)
- CAPS Policy Manual (DECAL)
- Apply for Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) Program — Georgia.gov
- CAPS Eligibility Requirements — DECAL
- Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) Two-Pager Extended — GEEARS (source for 14.8% scholarship-receipt figure)
- Child and Dependent Care Expense Credit — Georgia Department of Revenue
- HB 136 Signed into Law — Lt. Governor of Georgia (May 13, 2025) (2025)
- HB 136 — Signed Bill Text (Georgia Governor's Office) (2025)
- Georgia's Pre-K Program — DECAL
- Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning
- Federal poverty guidelines — HHS ASPE
- State median income estimates — ACF (LIHEAP IM 2025-02)
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.