How to get help paying for childcare in Ohio
Ohio's PFCC helps families at or below 145% of poverty pay for childcare, and the Child Care Choice Voucher helps up to 200%. Here is how to qualify and apply.
Published · 11 min read
Quick answer
- Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) helps Ohio families pay for care while the adults work, go to school or train for a job. From October 1, 2026, a family of three can start PFCC with income up to $3,302 a month, which is 145% of the federal poverty level. You can keep it until income passes 300%.
- Families who earn more, up to 200% of poverty ($4,554 a month for three), can get the Child Care Choice Voucher instead. It pays a fixed monthly amount toward tuition at a licensed program.
- One application covers both, online through the Ohio Benefits Self-Service Portal or through your county Job and Family Services office. The county has 30 days to decide, and approved benefits start on the date it received your application.
- PFCC co-pays are $0 at or below the poverty line and rise with income. A family of three just under the 145% limit pays $66.69 a week, one co-pay for the whole family.
What are PFCC and the Child Care Choice Voucher?
Both programs help Ohio families pay for child care while the adults in the home work, study or train for a job. The Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) sets the rules, and your county Job and Family Services office decides who qualifies.
Child care licensing and subsidies moved from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to DCY under House Bill 33 in early 2025. The application is still a JFS form, number JFS 07200.
PFCC is the main program: the state pays your provider, and you pay a weekly co-pay based on income. The Child Care Choice Voucher is for families who earn too much for PFCC. It pays a set monthly amount toward tuition (DCY Procedure Letter 36).
| PFCC | Child Care Choice Voucher | |
|---|---|---|
| Income to qualify | At or below 145% of the federal poverty level to start (150% if a child has a verified special need); you can keep it up to 300% | Above the PFCC starting limit (145%, or 150% with a child's special need) and at or below 200% of the federal poverty level |
| How it pays | The state pays the provider; you pay a weekly co-pay | The state pays a fixed monthly amount; you pay the rest of the tuition |
| Your cost | $0 at or below 100% of poverty, then a co-pay that rises with income | The gap between the voucher and tuition, which DCY encourages programs to keep at or under 9% of your gross monthly income |
| Where you can use it | Licensed centers and family child care homes, approved day camps, licensed preschool and school-age programs, and certified in-home aides | Licensed programs with an active DCY provider agreement; not in-home aides or day camps |
You can't get both for the same child, and there is no separate voucher form. If PFCC is denied only because your income is too high, you can qualify for the voucher, which covers full-time care only (Cuyahoga County).
Who qualifies for PFCC or the voucher?
You qualify based on your family's gross monthly income, what the adults in your home are doing and your child's age. DCY updates the income limits every year. The amounts below apply to applications, renewals and case updates on or after October 1, 2026 (DCY Procedure Letter 45).
| Family size | Start PFCC (145%) | Start PFCC with a child's special need (150%) | Voucher, if over the PFCC limit (up to 200%) | Keep PFCC (up to 300%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | $2,615 | $2,705 | $3,607 | $5,410 |
| 3 | $3,302 | $3,415 | $4,554 | $6,830 |
| 4 | $3,988 | $4,125 | $5,500 | $8,250 |
| 5 | $4,674 | $4,835 | $6,447 | $9,670 |
| 6 | $5,361 | $5,545 | $7,394 | $11,090 |
| 7 | $6,047 | $6,255 | $8,340 | $12,510 |
| 8 | $6,733 | $6,965 | $9,287 | $13,930 |
Multiply by 12 to compare with yearly pay. For a family of three, the PFCC starting limit of $3,302 a month is $39,624 a year. The voucher limit of $4,554 a month is $54,648 a year.
The county counts income before taxes, including wages, self-employment profit, child support you receive and unemployment benefits. Some income is left out, such as SSI, SNAP benefits, tax refunds and foster care payments (rule 5180:6-1-03).
Work, school or training
Every caretaker in your home has to take part in at least one qualifying activity (Appendix A to rule 5180:6-1-02):
- Paid work, full-time or part-time
- High school or equivalency classes, adult literacy classes or English language classes
- College, technical or vocational classes that lead to a degree, certificate or license
- Job skills training tied to your work goal, including approved apprenticeships
- An Ohio Works First or SNAP work plan
- A substance use disorder treatment program
With two caretakers, care is approved for the hours when both are busy with these activities. If one of you can't care for your child, a written statement from a doctor, psychologist or another listed professional can cover that (rule 5180:6-1-02).
Your child's age and special needs
Your child must be under 13 when you apply, and stays eligible through the eligibility period in which they turn 13. A child under 18 can qualify if they meet Ohio's definition of special needs (rule 5180:6-1-01). That covers chronic health conditions and developmental needs that require daily extra support.
If your child's special need is verified, your family can start PFCC with income up to 150% of poverty instead of 145%. Each child also needs to be a U.S. citizen or have qualifying immigration status. The family can't have more than $1 million in cash, checking and savings.
How much is the co-pay?
With PFCC you pay a weekly co-pay to your provider, and families at or below 100% of the federal poverty level pay nothing (rule 5180:6-1-05).
Above that, DCY sets the co-pay as a share of income, using the top of your 5% income band. The share starts at 7% just above poverty and is 8.75% from 130% through 200% of poverty. It climbs to 27% near the 300% limit (DCY Procedure Letter 45).
| Family size | No co-pay if monthly income is at or below | Co-pay just under the 145% limit | Co-pay near the 300% limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | $1,804 | $52.85 (income $2,526–$2,615) | $337.15 (income $5,321–$5,410) |
| 3 | $2,277 | $66.69 (income $3,189–$3,302) | $425.54 (income $6,718–$6,830) |
| 4 | $2,750 | $80.54 (income $3,851–$3,988) | $514.15 (income $8,114–$8,250) |
You pay one co-pay per family, split across your children's authorizations. It usually stays the same for your whole eligibility period. It can drop mid-year if you report lower income or a bigger family, but any increase waits until you renew.
No co-pay is owed for a week when your child had only absent days. If you fall behind on co-pays, you can lose eligibility until you and the provider agree on a way to catch up.
What the voucher pays
The Child Care Choice Voucher pays the program a fixed amount each month, plus a first enrollment payment of the same amount. These amounts apply to care on or after November 1, 2025 (DCY Procedure Letter 36):
| Child's age | Child care center | Type A or Type B family child care home |
|---|---|---|
| Infant (birth to under 18 months) | $900 | $600 |
| Toddler (18 months to under 3 years) | $800 | $550 |
| Preschool (3 years until kindergarten) | $750 | $500 |
| School-age (kindergarten to under 15) | $375 | $300 |
You pay the difference between the voucher and the program's tuition. DCY encourages programs to charge you no more than 9% of your gross monthly income. The voucher plus your share can't be more than the program's private rate.
For example, a family of three earning $4,000 a month would pay up to $360 a month if its program follows that guidance.
Current Ohio rules
Subsidy & Co-Pay Estimator
A planning estimate for PFCC and the Child Care Choice Voucher Program. Your county JFS makes the official determination.
Enter your household size and income above to see which Ohio program fits and what your co-pay could look like.
Foster care or protective placement with an active JFS case plan. Your caseworker initiates enrollment, so no estimator is needed.
Informal kinship (grandparent or aunt/uncle without an active case plan) follows standard PFCC/CCVP income rules.
Planning estimate based on current HHS poverty guidelines and Ohio Department of Children & Youth program rules. AAC accepts PFCC and the Child Care Choice Voucher Program, but we do not accept ECE grants. Final eligibility, co-pay, and benefit amounts are determined by your county JFS office.
How do I apply?
You apply once for both programs, and the county has 30 calendar days to decide (rule 5180:6-1-08).
- Check your income against the table above. The county makes the final decision, so apply if you are close.
- Choose a provider. The application asks for the name and address of an eligible program for each child. Pick one that takes PFCC or the voucher (see below).
- Gather your documents using the checklist below.
- Apply online through the Ohio Benefits Self-Service Portal or by phone at 1-844-640-6446. You can also file paper form JFS 07200 by mail, fax, email or in person at your county office. A valid application needs at least your name, address and signature, and the day the county receives it is your application date.
- Send missing proof quickly. Within 10 days, the county sends a checklist of what it still needs. You have 30 calendar days from your application date to turn it all in, or the application is denied.
- Watch for the decision. If you are approved, your benefits start on your application date, not the approval date.
Documents to gather
- Proof of income for everyone in your household, such as recent pay stubs, tax records, award letters or child support orders
- Proof of any child support you pay
- Proof of each caretaker's work, school or training, such as a work or class schedule
- Each child's birth certificate or other proof of citizenship or immigration status
- The name and address of the child care program you chose for each child
- If it applies, verification of your child's special need
These items come from rule 5180:6-1-02 and Cuyahoga County's checklist. If no one in the home has income, the county asks for a statement of how you are meeting basic expenses.
Where do I apply in Cuyahoga, Summit or Geauga County?
You can apply online from anywhere in Ohio, and your county office handles your case after that. This is how each county lists its child care help as of November 2026.
Cuyahoga County
- Apply in person at the Virgil E. Brown Center, 1641 Payne Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44114.
- Mail your application and documents to 1641 Payne Ave., #200, Cleveland, OH 44114.
- A Neighborhood Family Service Center can help you apply and turn in documents.
- Details: Cuyahoga County child care assistance programs
Summit County
- Summit County Department of Job and Family Services, Russell M. Pry Building, 1180 South Main Street, Akron, OH 44301.
- Call 844-640-6446 for application help, or send documents by fax to 866-351-8292.
- Email documents to SummitE-Docs@jfs.ohio.gov.
- Details: Summit County JFS: Help Paying for Child Care
Geauga County
- Geauga County Job and Family Services, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Chardon, OH 44024.
- Call 440-285-9141, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or email info@geaugajfs.org.
- Details: Geauga County JFS child care payment assistance
For statewide questions, DCY's Family and Customer Support Center is at 1-844-234-5437 (DCY Procedure Letter 45).
How do I find a provider that takes assistance?
PFCC can pay these kinds of providers (Ohio Revised Code 5104.31):
- Licensed child care centers
- Licensed Type A and Type B family child care homes
- Approved day camps
- Licensed preschool and school-age programs
- In-home aides certified by the county
Ohio law generally lets a licensed program accept PFCC only if it holds a Step Up To Quality rating. The law lists exceptions, such as family child care homes, programs with a provisional license and summer-only programs. A program is also exempt if PFCC children fill less than 25% of its licensed capacity (Ohio Revised Code 5104.31; rule 5180:6-1-09).
For the voucher, the program needs an active DCY provider agreement and must show as open in Ohio's licensing system. In-home aides, child day camps and temporarily closed programs can't take it (DCY Procedure Letter 36).
On Ohio Child Care Search, you can filter for programs that offer Publicly Funded Child Care. Each listing shows the program's license status, Step Up To Quality rating and inspection results. Call the program to confirm it has an opening and accepts your type of assistance.
What do I need to do after I'm approved?
After approval, a few ongoing tasks keep your benefits active (rule 5180:6-1-04).
- Record attendance. You or someone you designate records your child's arrival and departure in the state's attendance system. Keep your login private, because the program is not allowed to use it.
- Pay your co-pay to the program on the schedule in your written agreement with it.
- Report changes within 10 calendar days, including a long-term change in work, school or training (such as losing a job) and a new address. For PFCC, you must also report income above 300% of poverty. Reporting lower income is optional, but it can lower your co-pay.
- Renew every year. Eligibility lasts at least 12 months (rule 5180:6-1-01). Before it ends, the county sends form JFS 07204; return it with proof of current income before your last day, or benefits stop.
If you lose a job or finish a training program, PFCC can continue for three to four months while you line up a new activity. The county has to know about the change, and the extra time can't run past your current eligibility period (rule 5180:6-1-02).
Common questions
Can I use PFCC and Ohio's preschool program at the same time?
Families in all 88 counties can combine PFCC or the voucher with Ohio's Early Childhood Education grant. For example, a child can attend a preschool session with child care hours before and after it. The two must be at different programs, the hours can't overlap, and statewide access began October 7, 2025 (DCY Procedure Letter 39).
Do I pay the co-pay if my child is out sick all week?
Under Ohio's PFCC rules, you owe no co-pay for a week when your child attended no hours. That applies when only absent days or professional development days were reported (rule 5180:6-1-05).
Can I appeal a Child Care Choice Voucher decision?
DCY says voucher eligibility decisions are not subject to state hearing rights, so they can't be appealed. You can still ask your county Job and Family Services office how your eligibility was determined (DCY Procedure Letter 36).
Can I keep child care help when I leave Ohio Works First?
Transitional child care gives up to 12 months of PFCC to people leaving Ohio Works First cash assistance. It applies when income is at or below 150% of the poverty level (DCY Procedure Letter 45). Ask your caseworker about it before your cash case closes.
Is there a limit on savings?
PFCC has an asset limit, but it is high: a family can't have more than $1 million in cash, checking or savings accounts (rule 5180:6-1-02).
What happens while I wait for approval?
If you are approved, your benefits start on the date the county received your valid application, not the approval date. Ask your provider how it handles tuition while your application is pending.
Sources
- Procedure Letter 45: Update to 2026 Early Care and Education Income Eligibility Standards, Ohio Department of Children and Youth. Checked November 3, 2026.
- Procedure Letter 36: 2025 Updates to the Child Care Choice Voucher Program, Ohio Department of Children and Youth. Checked November 3, 2026.
- Procedure Letter 39: Statewide access to PFCC or the Child Care Choice Voucher and the Early Childhood Education Grant, Ohio Department of Children and Youth. Checked November 3, 2026.
- Rule 5180:6-1-01, Definitions for eligibility for publicly funded child care benefits, Ohio Administrative Code. Checked November 3, 2026.
- Rule 5180:6-1-02, Application and qualification process for publicly funded child care benefits, Ohio Administrative Code. Checked November 3, 2026.
- Appendix A to rule 5180:6-1-02: Qualifying activities for the Publicly Funded Child Care Program, Ohio Administrative Code. Checked November 3, 2026.
- Rule 5180:6-1-03, Income eligibility requirements for publicly funded child care benefits, Ohio Administrative Code. Checked November 3, 2026.
- Rule 5180:6-1-04, Caretaker responsibilities to maintain eligibility in the publicly funded child care program, Ohio Administrative Code. Checked November 3, 2026.
- Rule 5180:6-1-05, Copayment for publicly funded child care benefits, Ohio Administrative Code. Checked November 3, 2026.
- Rule 5180:6-1-08, County department of job and family services responsibilities for publicly funded child care, Ohio Administrative Code. Checked November 3, 2026.
- Rule 5180:6-1-09, Program responsibilities for publicly funded child care, Ohio Administrative Code. Checked November 3, 2026.
- Section 5104.31, Eligible providers of services for publicly funded child care, Ohio Revised Code. Checked November 3, 2026.
- Child Care Assistance Programs, Cuyahoga County Health and Human Services. Checked November 3, 2026.
- Help Paying for Child Care, Summit County Department of Job and Family Services. Checked November 3, 2026.
- Child Care Payment Assistance, Geauga County Job and Family Services. Checked November 3, 2026.
- Letter renumbering rules transferred to the Department of Children and Youth under H.B. 33, Ohio Legislative Service Commission. Checked November 3, 2026.
- Ohio Benefits Self-Service Portal, State of Ohio. Checked November 3, 2026.
- Ohio Child Care Search, Ohio Department of Children and Youth. Checked November 3, 2026.