Child Care Subsidies & Assistance in Idaho
Idaho's ICCP serves families up to 130% FPL at entry (about $33,500 family of 3) — tightened in January 2025. Idaho has no state pre-K program. Idaho offers a child care expense deduction up to $12,000 on the state return, but no state Child and Dependent Care Credit.
Data current as of May 21, 2026
Child care subsidy (CCDF) in Idaho
- Program name
- Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP)
- Administered by
- Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW)
- Income ceiling
- Family income up to 130% of the federal poverty level at initial application; up to 175% FPL for continued eligibility. The entry threshold was tightened from 175% FPL to 130% FPL when the program reopened in January 2025 after a mid-2024 budget-related pause.
- Family fee / copay
- Sliding-scale copay based on family size, income, hours in a qualifying activity, and number of children in care. Copay is paid directly to the provider.
- Waitlist status
- Recently re-opened — DHW paused new applications in mid-2024 over budget concerns and reopened them in January 2025 with the tightened 130% FPL entry threshold. Existing recipients were grandfathered until their annual recertification.
- Apply
- idalink.idaho.gov/
Priority groups (served first)
- Families receiving Temporary Assistance for Families in Idaho (TAFI / TANF)
- Foster families
- Families experiencing homelessness
- Families caring for a child with a disability
- Parents age 19 or younger
State pre-K in Idaho
Idaho does not currently operate a state-funded pre-K program. Eligible families may still qualify for Head Start or Early Head Start.
State tax credits & extras in Idaho
- State CDCC
- Idaho does not offer a state Child and Dependent Care Credit. Idaho does not have a state Child and Dependent Care Credit. Instead, Idaho allows a state child-care expense deduction (see Other state programs below) — and Idaho families may still claim the federal CDCC on Form 2441.
Other state programs and credits
- Idaho Child Care Expense Deduction (up to $12,000/year)Per HB 288 (enacted April 2023, retroactive to January 1, 2023): Idaho residents can deduct up to $12,000 in qualifying child care expenses from their Idaho taxable income. Different from a credit — it reduces the income on which Idaho tax is computed. Claimed on the Idaho individual income tax return.
Where to apply or get help in Idaho
- Find a licensed daycare in IdahoChildery directory — quality ratings, ZIP & city search
- Idaho child care portalhealthandwelfare.idaho.gov/services-programs/children-families-older-adults/idaho-child-care-program
- Eligibility screeneridalink.idaho.gov/
- Combined benefits applicationidalink.idaho.gov/
- Idaho 211 (dial 2-1-1)www.211.idaho.gov/
- IdahoSTARS — ICCP family explaineridahostars.org/Families/Financial-Assistance-ICCP
- Federal childcare.gov — Idaho resourceswww.childcare.gov/state-resources/idaho/financial-assistance-resources-for-families
Find a daycare in Idaho
Once you know what you qualify for, Childery's directory helps you pick a provider. Browse Idaho's licensed daycares with independent Process and Structural quality ratings, or search by ZIP code or city.
Browse Idaho daycaresSources
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.