Child Care Assistance in Missouri: How to Apply & Who Qualifies

Child Care Assistance in Missouri: How to Apply & Who Qualifies is sponsored by Childery. Offers guidance on applying for child care assistance in Missouri.

# Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Home * DESE Application Sign-in (DAS) * DESE Organizational Chart * Adult Learning & Rehabilitation Services » * Vocational Rehabilitation * Disability Determination * Outreach and Professional Development * College & Career Readiness » * Adult Education & Literacy * Career and Technical Education (CTE) * School-Based Mental Health * DESE Conferences and Events * Data System Management » * Data Access, Sharing, and Privacy * Civil Rights Compliance * DESE Administrative Rules * Public School Laws of Missouri * Safe Schools Act Topic Index * Missouri School for the Blind * Missouri School for the Deaf * Missouri Schools for the Severely Disabled * Regional Professional Development Centers * Special Education Compliance * Special Education Director Resources * Special Education Effective Practices * Homeless Children & Youth * Missouri School Improvement Program (MSIP) * State Supervisors of Instruction * Division of Financial & Administrative Services » * Grant Financial Management * Special Education Finance * Vendor/Supplier Services * Food & Nutrition Services * Division of Learning Services * State Board of Education » * Agendas, Minutes & Recordings * State Board Meeting Schedule [](https://dese.

mo. gov/childhood/child-care-subsidy/families) # Child Care Subsidy Information for Families The Missouri Child Care Subsidy Program increases access to early learning by helping eligible families with the cost of child care. This allows families to focus on finding and holding steady jobs or to attend school and training programs.

In order to qualify for child care assistance in Missouri, families must: * Have a child birth to age 13, or a child with special needs or receiving protective services * Need child care to work, search for work, participate in job training, or attend school * Be at or below 150% of the federal poverty level Help is available to assist families completing the child care subsidy application.

Please call the Missouri Childhood Resource and Referral Call Center at 573-415-8605 to speak to a Community Support Specialist. Child Care Subsidy Parent Portal Information About Child Care Subsidy The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Child Care Subsidy Program aims to increase children's access to early learning by assisting eligible families with payments for child care in Missouri.

This program helps families with the cost of child care so they are able to focus on finding and holding steady jobs or attending school and training programs. Learn how families can qualify for child care subsidy, what the program pays for, transitional child care, and child care assistance for children with special needs.

* Child Care Subsidy Brochure * Transitional Level of Child Care Assistance * Child Care Assistance for Children with Special Needs * Eligibility Policy Manual Eligibility Information for Child Care Subsidy To find out if you may be eligible for help with your child care cost, use the “Do I Qualify? ” pre-screening tool linked below, or click “Apply for Assistance” to apply now in the child care data system.

* Application for Child Care Subsidy for Children and Families Paper Form * Application Reminder Checklist * Appointing an Authorized Representative * Eligibility Policy Manual * Helping Families Understand The Child Care Subsidy Program * Child Care Assistance for Protective Service Families * Fraud and Sanctions Document for Families * MO 500-3563 Employment Verification Form * MO 500-3602 Incapacitated Caregiver Verification * MO 500-3564 Medical Provider Statement of Special Needs for Child Care * MO 500-3565 Self-Employment Income Ledger Child Care Subsidy Rates and Sliding Fees Governor Parson signed the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, which included an increase to the child care subsidy rate for the Fiscal Year (July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025).

We are grateful to the Governor and the General Assembly for recognizing the importance of child care during this legislative session and approving this rate increase. Report a Change in Child Care Subsidy **What You Need to Report** If you get help from the Child Care Subsidy Program, you must report certain changes within **10 calendar days**after they happen.

Let us know within 10 days if any of the following occur: * Your contact information changes. * This includes the head of household, your physical address, phone number, or email. * Your qualifying activity ends for more than 90 days.

For example, you are no longer working, in school, or in job training. * Your child moves out of Missouri. * You no longer have custody of your child.

* Report income changes within 10 days after you receive your first paycheck showing the change. * Any major change that affects your need for child care. For example, changes in your work or school schedule or changes in the hours you need child care.

* If a change reported is not required to be reported, we will ignore it unless the change would increase your benefit or require your case to close. * Benefits cannot be increased for the past months. Changes will apply starting the month you report them.

To report a change, parents/guardians must update their online accountor return the completed, signed form and any additional documents to: **Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education** **Office of Childhood-Child Care Subsidy** **Jefferson City, MO 65102** A change can be reported in the parent portal or by using the paper form.

* Child Care Subsidy Parent Portal * Report a Change Child Care Subsidy Paper Form * Eligibility Policy Manual * Child Care Subsidy Brochure **Need help navigating the Child Care Subsidy Parent Portal?

** * Office of Childhood Home * Child Care Development Fund Grant * Child Care Subsidy Program Information * Subsidy Payment Information * Outreach and Professional Development **Providers - Child Care Subsidy Agreements** CCSubsidyAgreements@dese. mo.

gov **Providers - Child Care Subsidy Payments** **Families - Applications and Authorizations** Jefferson City, MO 65102-0480 **Educator Certification:** Employment Opportunities (State Job Portal) Employment Opportunities (Educator Job Board)") Missouri Learning Standards Non-Discrimination Statement Interim Commissioner Dr. Stacey Preis * DESE Periodic Rule Review