DES provides child care assistance to eligible families who participate in employment and specific education and training activities by providing financial support to offset a portion of child care costs for children from birth through age 12.
Child care assistance is also available for children experiencing homelessness and children referred by the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) or a Tribal child welfare program.
DES now has a waiting list for most families applying to the program due to increased demand and limited funding.
DES child care assistance can help families pay for care in child care center-based or home settings that are contracted with DES to provide high quality child care. Families are required to cost-share (co-pay) based on family size and income.
Child care assistance is available for a parent with an income at or below 165% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) with children Birth through age 12 who is:
DES also provides child care assistance to individuals receiving Cash Assistance (CA) who are employed or enrolled in the Grant Diversion program, as well as grandparents and guardians when the parent of the child is not living in the same home and when the grandparent or guardian is engaged in an eligible activity.
DES does not consider income when determining eligibility for an individual who is referred from the TANF Jobs Program, Department of Child Safety (DCS), or a Tribal child welfare program.
Families applying for DES child care assistance must meet certain eligibility criteria, and submit the following to a local DES office in person, by email, or fax:
Verification of eligible activity documents (as applicable) may also be required:
Additional verification documents (as applicable):
Application for Child Care Assistance is not required for families from:
DES now has a child care waiting list for most families applying to the program. Learn more in the Waiting List Resources section of this page.
Applications for child care can take up to 30 days to process and complete. Applicants are encouraged to not disregard correspondence from DES, as this may delay services.
Once your application is received, an eligibility specialist conducts an interview and determines if additional information is needed.
For more information, contact your local DES office to speak with a Child Care Eligibility Specialist.
Documents Center for Families Search for reports, forms, policies, pamphlets, and posters with information about child care programs and services.
Looking for child care? Parents can receive free referrals and information about DES child care programs from Child Care Resource and Referral through the CCR&R website, or by calling 1-800-308-9000, Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 6:00pm, and 8:00am to 12:00pm on Saturday. Se habla Español. Referrals to all types of child care providers - licensed centers, family child care homes, and group child care homes are available. Information on quality of care, State licensing and other resources are also available.
In August 2024, a waiting list was put in place due to increased demand and limited funding for child care assistance. If you are getting child care assistance now, the waiting list will not affect you. You will continue to get benefits. When it is time to renew your benefits, be sure to turn in your information on time.
DES follows Arizona state law and regulations when determining who is placed on a waiting list, as well as priority groups. The following applicants for child care assistance are placed on a waiting list:
DES follows Arizona state law and regulations for waiting list prioritization and release. Prioritization is based on the following income categories:
Applications received prior to when the waiting list started on August 1, 2024 will be reviewed and processed for eligibility. Your completed application must show that you meet the eligibility requirements for child care assistance as of July 31, 2024 (prior to the waiting list). Applicants who meet eligibility requirements as of July 31, 2024 will not be subject to the waiting list. You will receive notification from DES by mail if your application has been approved.
Yes, if there are any changes to your address, income, or household members while on the waiting list, you must notify DES within five business days.
If your circumstances change, and you believe that you may qualify for one of the categories that are exempt from the waiting list, please contact your child care specialist or a local DES child care office.
No, you are not guaranteed to receive child care assistance if you are placed on the waiting list. You may be eligible for child care assistance when you are selected for release from the waiting list. If you report a change while on the waiting list, and you are determined ineligible for child care assistance, you will be notified and removed from the waiting list. If anything changes, and you believe you may be eligible at a later date, you may submit a new application to reapply for services.
You will receive a notice by mail from DES that you have been released from the waiting list and are potentially eligible for child care assistance. You will need to return the information to DES by email, phone, fax, or in person at your local DES office, confirming any changes from your initial application, such as changes to your income, employment, and household members, and your DES child care provider selection.
Yes. The waiting list will not affect you if you are currently receiving DES child care assistance. You will receive a notice by mail when it is time to renew, and will need to provide DES with information to continue receiving your child care assistance.
Yes. You must notify DES of any changes within five business days, this includes changes to your household members such as the birth of an additional child, income, or address. You can contact DES by email, phone, fax, or in person at your local DES office. The new child will be added to the existing authorization, and you will be contacted by DES to receive the approval.
