Child Care Subsidies & Assistance in Minnesota

Income limits by family size

• BSF initial eligibility ceiling (annual, 47% SMI): 47% of Minnesota State Median Income per CCAP Copayment Schedule DHS-6413N (effective October 13, 2025). Maximum gross income for Basic Sliding Fee (non-MFIP/DWP) families to first qualify for CCAP. BSF program has county waitlists.
• Continuing eligibility ceiling / MFIP-DWP entry (annual, 67% SMI): 67% of Minnesota State Median Income per DHS-6413N. Maximum income at BSF redetermination and entrance threshold for MFIP/DWP families (entitlement — no waitlist). Derived as 47% SMI × (67/47); confirmed against published $81,042 for family of 3.

Minnesota DCYF CCAP page (dcyf.mn.gov) shows annual income thresholds by household size labeled 'if your annual income is below these amounts, you may be eligible for child care assistance.' These amounts are the 47% SMI entrance thresholds for Basic Sliding Fee (BSF) families, confirmed by two cross-checks: (1) the published DHS-6413M (October 2024–October 2025) figure of $64,714 for family of 4 at 47% SMI, with the DCYF table showing $67,679 for the subsequent DHS-6413N update; (2) deriving 67% SMI for family of 3 as $56,850 × (67/47) = $81,042, which matches a published reference for the DHS-6413N exit/MFIP threshold for that family size. The 67% SMI column is computed as 47% SMI × (67/47). The 47% SMI threshold applies to BSF initial applicants; the 67% SMI threshold applies to MFIP/DWP families at application and to all families at redetermination; a separate 85% SMI mid-year exit threshold is in force during the 12-month eligibility period. No family-of-1 row is published (CCAP requires dependent children). The SMI increment compresses above family size 6, reflecting LIHEAP-based SMI methodology. Effective October 13, 2025; check the state portal for the latest figures.

Priority groups (served first)

• MFIP and DWP participants (entitlement, no waitlist)
• Transition Year (TY) and Transition Year Extension (TYE) families
• BSF applicants without a high school diploma/GED, or in remedial/basic-skills coursework as part of an employment-leading program

Other state programs and credits

• Minnesota Child Tax Credit — refundable $1,750 per child
  One of the larger state Child Tax Credits in the country. Refundable up to $1,750 per qualifying child under 18, with no cap on number of children. (Colorado's Family Affordability Tax Credit, first claimed on 2024 returns, now goes higher at up to $3,200/child under 6 and $2,400/child age 6–16.) Phase-out begins at $31,950 (single) or $37,910 (married filing jointly). Advance-payment option available. Filed on the Minnesota individual income tax return.
• Minnesota Early Learning Scholarships
  Helps pay for children birth to age 4 to attend a Parent Aware-participating early-learning program (SPA, One-Star, Two-Star, Three-Star, or Four-Star — not just 3- or 4-star). Maximum award varies by county, program type, child age, and Parent Aware tier. For FY26, infant care at a Four-Star center in the seven metro counties (Anoka, Dakota, Hennepin, Olmsted, Ramsey, Scott, Washington) tops out at $31,973.76/year; even SPA/One-Star/Two-Star infant care in those counties reaches $26,644.80. Family child care and lower-cost counties run lower (around $7,280 at the bottom). Apply at earlylearningscholarshipshub.mn.gov.