Financial Assistance for Families
NY Child Care Financial Assistance
New York State Child Care Assistance Program
Child care assistance is available based on family income. The Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) offers the New York State Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) to eligible families with earnings up to 85% of State Median Income. Families apply for CCAP through their local Department of Social Services. Office of Children and Family Services CCAP informational flyers.
Families may choose a provider that meets their needs as long as they are licensed, registered or enrolled as a legally exempt provider. Families eligible for CCAP can even ask a family friend or relative to enroll as a legally exempt provider if they want to do so.
Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood-Plus (MCCYN-PLUS)
Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood-PLUS (MCCYN-PLUS)
MCCYN-PLUS supports access to child care for active-duty military members and active Guard and reserve members in locations with waitlists or when families do not live close to a military installation. Child care providers who are licensed by New York State are eligible to participate and receive fee assistance on behalf of a military family under the Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood-PLUS program offered by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).
The military fee assistance program will offset the cost of child care not covered by the parent fee as calculated by total family income up to a maximum child care rate of $1,800 per month per child. For aditional information, visit MilitaryChildCare.Com. You can also find information on the Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood-PLUS web page on the NYS Office of Children and Family Services website.
Free Tax Preparation Help for NY Families
Taxes can be difficult. If you need help, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free help. This is for people who usually make $64,000 or less, people with disabilities, and those who speak limited English and need help with their tax returns.
IRS-trained volunteers can help with basic tax returns and file them electronically for free. In New York City, free tax preparation is available for families who make $85,000 or less.