Getting help with child care costs in Indiana — programs, eligibility, and how to apply
Child care is one of the largest expenses a working family faces, and for a parent in Indiana working a job that barely covers rent and groceries, affording licensed day care can feel impossible. Three programs, listed below, specifically address that gap — the federal Child Care and Development Fund voucher program administered by Indiana, the state's On My Way Pre-K grant for four-year-olds, and the federally funded Head Start and Early Head Start programs available statewide. Each has different eligibility rules, age ranges, and application processes, and they can work together for some families.
This page covers, in plain-English, what each program offers, who qualifies, how the application works, and what the current waitlist situation looks like. Indiana's CCDF program has faced significant funding pressures and policy changes recently, and the information here reflects those current conditions. For broader public assistance programs in Indiana — including TANF, Medicaid, and SNAP — see the Indiana government benefits guide page.
The CCDF voucher program — subsidized child care for working parents
The Child Care and Development Fund, widely called the voucher program, is a federal program administered in Indiana by the Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning within the Family and Social Services Administration. Its purpose is to help low-income parents cover the cost of licensed child care so they can work, attend school, or participate in job training. Rather than paying a provider directly, Indiana issues vouchers that are applied toward care costs at an approved licensed provider the family chooses. To qualify for a CCDF voucher in Indiana, a family must meet all of the following:
- Income: Gross monthly household income before taxes must be at or below 135 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines to enter the program. Once enrolled, a family can remain eligible until income exceeds 85 percent of the state median income. Income includes wages, SSI, TANF, unemployment, and child support.
- Activity: At least one parent or guardian must be working, enrolled in school, or attending an approved job training program.
- Child age: The child receiving care must be under 13 years old. Children with documented special needs may qualify through age 18.
- Residency and citizenship: The family must live in the county where they apply. The child must be a U.S. citizen or qualified legal alien.
- Provider: The family must choose a CCDF-eligible licensed provider. Not all providers accept vouchers — families must select from the approved list.
There is normally a wait list for a voucher. Eligible families are placed on the waitlist and processed on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to On My Way Pre-K applicants, families below 100 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, and children of child care workers. Foster parents with foster children and families referred through the Indiana Department of Child Services do not need to meet the income requirements and receive priority placement
Families already receiving CCDF vouchers keep their benefits as long as they remain eligible and complete the re-authorization process on time. Adding new children to an existing voucher will place those children on the waitlist.
To stay on the waitlist, families must reconfirm their contact information, employment status, and income every 90 days. Failing to respond within the 90-day window removes the family from the list. Keep contact information current and respond to any outreach from the state promptly.
How to apply
Applications for CCDF vouchers are submitted through Early Ed Connect, Indiana's online child care assistance portal at https://earlyedconnect.fssa.in.gov/onlineApp/home. The application is available in English and Spanish. After submitting, an eligibility specialist will contact you to review documentation.
Documents typically required include proof of income such as recent pay stubs, proof of the child's U.S. citizenship or legal status, proof of residency, proof of employment or school enrollment, and the child's birth certificate or documentation of their identity.
For phone assistance finding providers or getting help with the process, call the Brighter Futures Indiana call center at 1-800-299-1627. To find your local county eligibility office, the FSSA maintains a county office map at https://www.in.gov/fssa/carefinder/. Some counties are served by Automated Health Systems (AHS) at 1-855-553-7342 rather than a local county office — your application confirmation will specify which.
On My Way Pre-K — free pre-K for eligible four-year-olds
On My Way Pre-K is Indiana's state-funded pre-kindergarten program for four-year-olds from lower-income households. It provides a grant of up to $6,800 per school year toward high-quality pre-K care at an approved provider, which can be a public school, licensed child care center, licensed home, or faith-based registered ministry. Families can use this alongside CCDF vouchers for before and after care.
Household income must be at or below 135 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, and at least one parent or guardian must be working, in school, or in an approved job training program — not job searching. The program spots are limited. Families should apply as early as possible through Early Ed Connect at EarlyEdConnect.FSSA.IN.gov. If funding remains after priority enrollment, a limited number of additional vouchers may be available for families with incomes up to 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.
For the On My Way Pre-K program, call the FSSA support line at 1-800-299-1627 or contact your local eligibility office. The FSSA On My Way Pre-K page is at https://www.in.gov/fssa/carefinder/on-my-way-pre-k/.
Head Start and Early Head Start — free comprehensive early childhood programs
Head Start and Early Head Start are federally funded programs that provide free, comprehensive early childhood education and family support to children from low-income households. Unlike CCDF vouchers, Head Start programs directly operate centers and classrooms — families do not choose a separate provider. They also offer health screenings, nutrition services, dental referrals, and family support alongside education, making them particularly valuable for families with multiple needs.
Head Start serves children ages three to five from households with income at or below the Federal Poverty Level. Early Head Start serves infants, toddlers up to age three, and pregnant women from households with income at or below the Federal Poverty Level. Children in foster care, children whose families receive TANF or SSI, and children experiencing homelessness all qualify categorically regardless of income. Children with documented disabilities may also be served regardless of income.
Unlike CCDF, Head Start does not require a parent to be working or in school — a parent caring for their child at home may still qualify. Programs may also enroll a limited number of children from families with incomes slightly above the poverty line when space is available.
There are Head Start and Early Head Start programs in every county of Indiana. To find the nearest program, use the Head Start Center Locator at headstart.gov or call 1-866-763-6481 toll-free, Monday through Friday, 12pm to 6pm Eastern. Applications are processed at the local program level — contact your nearest program directly to begin.
Choosing the right option for your family
The three programs are not mutually exclusive. A family with an infant might use Early Head Start for the baby and CCDF vouchers for an older sibling's after-school care. A family with a four-year-old might pursue On My Way Pre-K for pre-K hours and CCDF vouchers for wrap-around care on either side. Because the CCDF waitlist is currently long, applying as early as possible and simultaneously pursuing Head Start or Early Head Start — which have their own separate enrollment processes — can help ensure children have access to care even while waiting for a voucher.
If you need help understanding your options or finding providers near you, call 1-800-299-1627 or contact your county's eligibility office through in.gov/fssa/carefinder. The Brighter Futures Indiana website at https://brighterfuturesindiana.org/ also provides income eligibility tables and a provider search.
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