ALBANY, N.Y. — New York State launched a new digital portal on Friday to make free or low-cost child care more accessible to families. This new program comes from the historic $1.8 billion state and federal investment in Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) secured by Governor Hochul.
Families can use an online tool through the portal to pre-screen for eligibility for CCAP and then apply for child care assistance.
“We’re making New York more affordable and strengthening our economy by delivering free and low-cost child care to more families statewide, and making it easier for families to apply for this funding online,” Governor Hochul said. “As the first mom governor of New York, I understand the challenges of child care firsthand and I look forward to seeing this transformative program reach more parents and kids across our state.”
CCAP currently covers at least 90 percent of weekly market rate child care costs for most eligible families. Hochul said the portal will make it so "families of four will pay no more than $15 per week, saving families thousands of dollars in annual child care costs."
Eligibility for CCAP is based on income, family size and many other factors.
“With the launch of this new digital portal, New York is taking an important step toward making affordable child care more accessible to families across the state," Senate Majority leader Charles Schumer said. "Improving access to affordable child care is how we strengthen our workforce, help our economy grow, and invest in our future."
For more information on the new digital portal, visit the link here.