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What Is Minnesota’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)?
Child care costs can feel impossible to manage — especially when you’re working hard just to keep your family stable. If you’re a parent or caregiver in Minnesota with a low income, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Minnesota’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) was created exactly for families like yours.
Minnesota’s CCAP can help make quality child care affordable for families with low incomes — paying for care while you work, look for a job, go to school, or participate in activities within an employment plan. Every month, CCAP provides access to child care for over 23,000 children from more than 12,000 families across the state.
This guide walks you through who qualifies, what the program covers, and exactly how to apply — including local Minneapolis and Hennepin County resources.
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Who Qualifies for CCAP?
Parents, stepparents, legal guardians, and other eligible caregivers can receive child care assistance if they meet income limits and all other requirements. Here’s a breakdown of the main eligibility criteria:
Child Age Requirements
CCAP helps families with low incomes afford good child care. It is for families with children under age 13 — and under age 15 for children with special needs — so that parents can work, attend school, or search for a job.
Activity Requirements
To qualify, at least one parent or guardian in your household must be engaged in an approved activity. This includes all parents (or one parent in a single-parent household) participating in an authorized activity, which includes working, searching for a job, or engagement in approved education or training. Specifically, you must work at least an average of 20 hours per week (10 hours per week if a full-time student) at minimum wage, participate in job search, attend school or training classes, or comply with an approved Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)/Diversionary Work Program plan.
Income Limits
Children and their families must meet financial and other requirements to be eligible for CCAP. Financial eligibility is based on a family’s income and assets. There are income maximums at program entry and exit based on State Median Income (SMI). At entry, the income maximum is 67% of SMI for families receiving MFIP and 47% of SMI for all other families — that’s $84,182 and $59,053 respectively for a family of four in 2024. Income guidelines are updated each year, so always check the latest figures when you apply.
Other Requirements
- Cooperate with child support enforcement for children with an absent parent.
- Have household assets of $1 million or less.
- Meet citizenship or eligible immigration status requirements.
- Use a legal, registered child care provider.
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What Does CCAP Cover?
CCAP families may be required to pay a co-payment fee based on family size and income. The family pays any charge above the maximum rate, as well as any co-payment fee, directly to the provider. In other words, CCAP pays a large portion of your child care costs directly to your provider — you only cover your assigned share.
CCAP will also pay for an eligible child’s registration fee, if a child care provider charges one, up to a maximum amount set in statute.
When it comes to choosing a provider, you may choose a licensed or unlicensed provider, and you may choose more than one provider. Parent Aware offers free tools and resources to help families find quality child care and early education programs, and is available in multiple languages. You can reach Parent Aware at ParentAware.org or by calling (888) 291-9811.
12-Month Stability Protection
After a CCAP agency approves your application, your family enters a 12-month eligibility period. During this time, limited factors can negatively impact your case — the goal is to provide stable, consistent child care arrangements for your children. This means most life changes during that year won’t immediately disrupt your child care help.
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How to Apply for CCAP in Minnesota
Applying for CCAP is straightforward. You have a few options:
Option 1: Apply Online
Fill out an online application at MNbenefits.mn.gov. This online application can also be used for Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare, SNAP (Food Support), and some other state-sponsored programs — making it a one-stop shop for multiple benefits.
Option 2: Contact Your County Office
Contact your county human services office or local contracted agency for more information about applying for child care assistance. Here are key local contacts for the Minneapolis area:
- Hennepin County — Call (612) 348-5937 or visit the main office at 300 S 6th St, Government Center, Minneapolis, MN 55487. Before you fill out an application, it’s highly recommended to call Hennepin County first — a county worker will ask for your income information and tell you which programs you are eligible for.
- Ramsey County — Call (651) 266-4444
- Scott County — Call (952) 496-8686
- Dakota County — Call (651) 554-5611
Option 3: Paper Application
If you prefer a paper application, you can download one and mail, fax, or deliver it by hand to your county human services office. Applications are typically processed within 30 days.
What Documents Will You Need?
When you apply, be prepared to provide documentation such as:
- Proof of identity (ID or passport)
- Proof of income (pay stubs, employer letters, or tax documents)