What is the Child Care Assistance Program?
The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) helps pay a portion of the cost of child care for working families, or families in training or education programs.
Families who meet certain eligibility criteria qualify for the program.
How Do I Apply for CCAP?
Apply Locally
Print an application and return it to the Customer Support Center or in person at your local Human Service Zone office.
Apply by mail
Submit a request to have an application mailed to you and return it to the Customer Support Center.
Documents to have when you apply:
- Completed CCAP application
- Driver’s license or picture ID
- Birth certificates for the children
- Verification of court ordered child support or court ordered spousal support deduction (if applicable)
- Proof of income (last month and current month)
- Social Security Number (SSN) for the caretaker and for each child
Note: The SSN helps with accurate identification. If you do not wish to give SSNs it will not affect your participation in this program.
You can use the SSP to apply online, complete a review and much more for CCAP and other financial help programs. Getting started is easy.
- Click here to go to the SSP.
- Create a North Dakota login. If you already have one, you can skip this step.
- Link your case to your North Dakota login.
If you need help, videos and step-by-step instructions can be found on the SSP Help page.
The Customer Support Center can help you:
- report changes to your case
- answer questions about your case or programs
This is also where you will send documents related to your case either by email, fax or mail.
Contact the center at:
Email: applyforhelp@nd.gov
Phone: 1.866.614.6005 or 701-328-1000; 711 (TTY)
Fax: 701.328.1006
Mail: Customer Support Center P.O. Box 5562 Bismarck ND 58506
If you need help using the SSP, find videos and step-by-step instructions on the SSP Help page.
Eligibility Information
Who qualifies for CCAP?
Families with who meet certain eligibility criteria qualify for the program.
Must be participating in an allowable activity:
- Working (paid employment or self-employed)
- Education or training programs
Temporary allowable activity:
- In situations of homelessness, looking for employment, education or training activities, and housing is considered allowable
Age limits:
- Once children are determined eligible, they may receive services until the eligibility period in which they turn 13 years old expires
- A child with special needs may qualify up to age 19
Asset Limits:
- A family’s assets cannot exceed $1,000,000
- Monthly income from wages, child support, pensions, veteran’s benefits or other sources must be less than the CCAP income limits
Copayment:
In most cases, families pay a co-payment, which is a portion of the child care cost. A co-payment is determined on a sliding fee scale based on a family's income and household size. Use our Worksheet for Calculating Copay to determine your co-pay amount.
Child Care Workforce Benefit for Employees of Licensed Child Care Providers
Are you employed by a licensed child care provider? Sign up for the Child Care Workforce Benefit today!
Why should I participate?
- You can receive payments for your child care costs up to the full-time state max rate.
- Your co-payment will be waived.
To qualify for this you must:
- Live in North Dakota.
- Be employed by a licensed child care provider in North Dakota.
- Work at least 25 hours per week.
- Meet Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) eligibility requirements (except for income limits).
Eligible employees may receive the benefit even if their children are enrolled in a program other than where the parent works.
How do I sign up?
- Fill out a CCAP application.
- Already on CCAP? All you need to do is complete the SFN 354 and send it to applyforhelp@nd.gov.
- Complete the Child Care Workforce Benefit Verification form (SFN 354) with your employer and submit it with your application or send to applyforhelp@nd.gov.
- If you have trouble downloading this form, find help by clicking here.
Note: Although the benefit is available to all licensed child care program employees regardless of income, the employee’s household income is required to process applications and to inform the effectiveness of the benefit.
What are the Income Limits for CCAP?
This table shows the maximum monthly income a household can earn to qualify for the program* (before taxes).
Families with ongoing CCAP benefits prior to July 1, 2024, with a state median income between 75% to 85% will be eligible for an additional 18 month period at their next review.
Don't count yourself out! Even if you don't think you qualify, you are still encouraged to apply.
| Family Size (Adults and Children) | Maximum Monthly Income |
| 2 | $5,231 |
| 3 | $6,462 |
| 4 | $7,694 |
| 5 | $8,924 |
| 6 | $10,155 |
| 7 | $10,386 |
| 8 | $10,617 |
Effective Oct. 1, 2024 - Sept. 30, 2025
How do CCAP Payments Work?
CCAP payments are based on the Worksheet for Calculating Copay and state provider rates (see below). CCAP sends payment to the provider. Watch a video explaining how CCAP payments work here.
Allowable Monthly Maximums for Full Time Care | ||||
Provider Type | Infant | Toddler | Preschool | Other |
CENTER | $1,278 | $1,243 | $1,040 | $855 |
LICENSED FAMILY/GROUP | $980 | $980 | $823 | $812 |
SELF-DECLARED/ | $646 | $600 | $588 | $569 |
APPROVED RELATIVE | $422 | $398 | $388 | $374 |
Allowable Monthly Maximums for Part-Time Care | ||||
Provider Type | Infant | Toddler | Preschool | Other |
CENTER | $1,260 | $1,153 | $866 | $595 |
LICENSED FAMILY/GROUP | $980 | $980 | $801 | $731 |
SELF-DECLARED/ | $388 | $360 | $352 | $341 |
APPROVED RELATIVE | $253 | $239 | $233 | $224 |
State provider rates will be rounded down when the rate is not a full dollar amount.
Allowable Maximum for Registration fees:
Provider Type: C, E, K, M, F, G, H - $150 per calendar year
Additional Information
The Child Care Assistance Program has some upcoming changes as a result of legislative session and the ending of some pandemic-related assistance. Here's what you need to know.
Extended eligibility period:
- Starting with April 2024 applications and reviews, you can continue to receive CCAP for 18 months instead of 12.
Activity Search:
- Starting February 1, 2024, qualifying families can now receive CCAP while looking for a job or education opportunities.
Increased payment rates:
- Starting with August 2023 payments, CCAP is increasing the allowable payment amount for infants and toddlers. View the State Provider Rates section of the August 2023 Sliding Fee Scale to see the new amounts. This change is occurring as a result of legislative session (HB 1540).
Changes to Co-pays:
- Beginning with July 2023 payments, co-pays will start again. Co-pays had been waived since March 2021 as a way to help with pandemic-related hardship.
- Note: A co-payment is a portion of the child care cost paid by the family. The amount is determined on a sliding fee scale based on a family’s income and household size.
- You can watch this video to learn how a family's CCAP co-payment and benefit amount are determined.
- Co-pays will be waived for families at or below 30% SMI. This change is occurring as a result of legislative session (HB 1540).
Payments will no longer be issued at the max rate:
- Beginning with payments for the service month of July, payments will again be based on the sliding fee scale. Payments had been issued at the max state rate to help families with pandemic-related hardship.
- You can watch this video to learn how a family's benefit amount is determined.
Changes to Payments Made to Families:
- Beginning August 1, 2023 payments will no longer be made to families. This change is occurring as a result of legislative session (SB 2084).
Starting July 1, 2023 diapers are exempt from sales tax in North Dakota. This is a result of HB1177.
Documents:
If you would like to find a version of some of these publications that can be translated, visit the Apply for Help Publications page.
- FAQs - Find answers to frequently Asked Questions about the Child Care Assistance Program.
- Flyer - Child Care Assistance Program Overview
- Brochure - Child Care Assistance Program - Helping Families with Child Care Costs
- Policy Manual - CCAP Policy manual
- Sliding Fee Scale
Related Links:
- Child Care and Development Fund - Find updates about the state plan.
- 2023 Child Care Assistance Market Rate Survey with Narrow Cost Analysis (7.26.2024)
- Information for CCAP Providers
Find a video and step-by-step instructions for how to report a change in child care needs on the Self-Service Portal (SSP) Help page.
What else can HHS help me with?
HHS may be able to help with more than just your child care needs.
Other programs you may qualify for include health care, food support, housing and utility help.
Who can help me apply or answer questions about CCAP?
For help applying, questions about eligibility, or your existing case, contact the Customer Support Center:
Email: applyforhelp@nd.gov
Phone: 1.866.614.6005 or 701-328-1000 711 (TTY)
Fax: 701.328.1006
Mail: Customer Support Center P.O. Box 5562 Bismarck ND 58506
If you would like in-person help visit your local human service zone office.
State Office Contact Information:
Economic Assistance Policy Division
Child Care Assistance Program
600 E Boulevard Avenue, Dept. 325
Bismarck ND 58505-0250
Phone: (701) 328-2332
Toll-Free: (800) 755-2716 (ND Only)
711 (TTY)
Email: dhseap@nd.gov