State Child Care Assistance & Subsidy Information

Child care subsidies help eligible families with lower incomes pay for child care while they work, go to school, or take part in other approved activities. DEL sets the policies for Working Connections Child Care (WCCC), Seasonal Child Care (SCC) and Homeless Child Care (HCC). Community agencies determine family eligibility for SCC and HCC. DSHS determines eligibility for WCCC and pays providers for authorized services.

Learn more about child care subsidy programs in Washington.

More information and resources for child care providers.

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Child Care Providers
Child Care Subsidy Rates [44k]

The enhanced toddler rate for children ages 12 months to 17 months is the same as the infant rate for children from birth to 11 months. This rate took effect July 1, 2009.
Collective Bargaining Agreement for in-home and family child care providers

Child Care Rates in Washington Administrative Code (WAC)

Daily child care rates—Licensed or certified child care centers and DEL contracted seasonal day camps (170-290-0200 WAC).
Daily child care rates—Licensed or certified family home child care providers (170-290-0205 WAC).
Child care subsidy rates—In-home/relative providers (170-290-0240 WAC).
Special Needs Child Care Rate Request

Families who qualify for assistance through the Working Connections Child Care or Seasonal Child Care programs and have a child with special needs may be eligible to apply for a special needs rate to help pay for care. This form can be used by both families and child care providers to request a special need rate. To submit the form, families contact the DSHS Customer Service Call Center at 1.877.501.2233 or child care providers can call the Provider Line at 1.800.394.4571.


The family must approve the request and be involved in determining if their child qualifies for the special needs rate. Special needs rates may not be approved based only on a child care provider's request.


Special Needs Child Care Rate Request Form [66k]
Special Needs Child Care Rate Request Form, Spanish [49k]
Eligibility Workers
Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) Manual [998k]
This manual provides additional policy guidance for WAC 170-290. For step-by-step instructions in using WCAP or other DSHS eligibility systems, workers should consult the Working Connections Child Care Handbook.
Seasonal Child Care (SCC) Program Manual [576k]
This manual provides additional policy guidance for the Seasonal Child Care (SCC) program.
Child Care Subsidy Eligibility Chart [111k]
A simplified chart to determine if families are eligible for Working Connections Child Care and Seasonal Child Care subsidies.
Copay Calculation Table [30k]
Copay Calculation Table to determine copays.


Families
Special Needs Child Care Rate Request
Note: This form replaces the two DSHS special needs rate request forms.
Special Needs Child Care Rate Request [66k]
Special Needs Child Care Rate Request - Spanish [59k]
Families who qualify for assistance through the Working Connections Child Care or Seasonal Child Care programs and have a child with special needs may be eligible to apply for a special needs rate to help pay for care. This form can be used by both families and child care providers to request a special need rate. To submit the form, families contact the DSHS Customer Service Call Center at 1.877.501.2233 or child care providers can call the Provider Line at 1.800.394.4571.


The family must approve the request and be involved in determining if their child qualifies for the special needs rate. Special needs rates may not be approved based only on a child care provider's request.
Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) brochure
Information about getting started with WCCC, as well as families' rights and responsibilities.
English [560k]
Spanish [577k]
WCCC DSHS Enrollment Verification Form
DSHS needs the information on this form to verify your child's enrollment in Head Start, Early Head Start or ECEAP before authorizing 12-month eligibility for WCCC.
Enrollment Verification Form [35k]
WCCC self-employment plan
If you are self-employed, you must submit this signed and dated self-employment plan to DSHS when you apply or reapply for WCCC. Contact the DSHS Customer Service Call Center at 1.877.501.2233 for more information.
English
Spanish


Small business information:
Do you need to register your business?
Register a business
Start a business in Washington
Small business guide


Reports
Child Care Subsidies Study [1,839k]
The 2008 Child Care Subsidy Study from Public Works to the Department of Early Learning.