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 June 17, 2026

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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, set by DECAL. Parents are also responsible for any gap between CAPS reimbursement and the provider's posted tuition. The federal 7%-of-income copay cap that briefly applied under the 2024 CCDF Final Rule was rescinded by HHS/ACF in May 2026 (effective July 13, 2026), so the binding cap now is Georgia's own CAPS sliding fee scale — families near the eligibility ceiling have historically paid more than 7% of 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).
Apply: www.decal.ga.gov/Prek/

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, 2025 — first claimable on your 2025 Georgia return filed in early 2026. The Georgia Department of Revenue's Credit 202 page already lists the credit at 50% of the federal Section 21 credit. 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 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.

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Sources

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.