Child Care Assistance and Referral

CONTACT INFORMATION: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
703-449-8484 TTY 711
Pennino Building, 12011 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, VA 22035
Yonas Wondwossen
Program Director

Department Resources

Applying for Child Care Assistance

Applying for Child Care Assistance - Application Process

Child care assistance may be available to families that are income eligible and demonstrate a need for care (due to employment, enrollment in school or participation in training). CCAR provides assistance with the cost of child care of children from birth to age 12 in family child care homes, centers and school-aged child care. To request this information in an alternate format, call 703-449-8484, TTY 711, or email CCARInfo@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Step 1:  Family Review Eligibility Requirements.
Step 2:  Family Gathers Required Supporting Documents. 
Step 3:  Family Submits Complete Application with Required Documentation.
Step 4:  Family Selects an Eligible Child Care Provider.
Step 5:  Family Submits Additional Documentation If Requested.
Step 6:  Family Receives Approval/Denial via Mail.

  • Families with low to moderate income who need child care while looking for work, working, attending school or attending training whose children are under age 13.
  • Families with child(ren) experiencing homelessness.
  • Families that receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
  • Families that participate in the Virginia Initiative for Employment and Work (VIEW) program.
  • Families that care for Fairfax County children who are in Foster Care.
  • Families that are part of the Child Protective Services system.
  • Families with children with special needs (up to age 18).
  • Teen parents working towards the completion of high school or pursuing a GED.

Income Eligibility Chart
Maximum Yearly Income up to

(effective 10/1/2024)

Family Size

 

 

 

Fairfax County/City of Fairfax*

City of Falls Church/Ft. Belvoir (Military Only)

Families with children under the age 13**

Families with at least one child under age 5 (Not yet started kindergarten)

Families with only Children age 5 to age 13**

 

 

350% FPL

85% SMI

250% FPL

2

 

$77,455

 

$77,455

 

$51,100

 

3

$95,680

 

$95,680

 

$64,550

 

4

$113,904

 

$113,904

 

$78,000

 

5

$132,129

 

$132,129

 

$91,450

 

6

$150,354

$150,354

$104,900

*If family has at least one child under the age of five (kindergarten eligible age), max income for family size of 2 is $77,455, and for family size 3 is $95,680.

For State Subsidy eligibility: 85% State Median Income (SMI) for families with at least one child under age five (kindergarten eligible age) School age siblings may be eligible. If family only has school age children (ages 5 to 13) subsidy eligibility is 250% Federal poverty Level (FPL).

For Local Subsidy eligibility: 350% FPL for families whose children are up to age 13.

**Families with a child under age 18 with special needs may be eligible.

To apply for child care assistance, submit the following:

  • Complete an application directly online or download the application form in English or Español*. You may also visit our Fairfax office to pick up an application.
  • Service Plan (Reviewed with CCAR Staff).
  • Proof of Residency: can include current mortgage statement, lease, utility bill or cable bill dated within the last 30 days with applicant's name.
  • Proof of employment and/or enrollment in school:
    • Three Paystubs dated within the last 30 days from each parent. Paystubs must state start and end date (if working).
    • Employment Verification Form English* or; Español* (if working). This form can be used for new employment or for parents who do not receive paystubs.
    • School schedule. Must state when semester starts and ends, scheduled days and hours (i.e., 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. M-F).
    • If looking for work, make a note in your application or let your specialist know you are looking for work.
  • Proof of unearned income such as Social Security Income (SSI), child support, loans (if applicable). 
  • Proof of Child Citizenship/Legal Status: Original birth certificate, passport, hospital birth letter or verification of Qualified Alien status in the Unites States for child (i.e: for children 13 and under who need child care services. Examples include a current U.S. Passport or other legal document).
  • As part of the application process, please select an approved child care provider. For help finding a child care provider, you may contact your Child Care Specialist by calling 703-449-8484, TTY 711 or by doing a search online.

*Please note, additional documents may be requested.

Download the checklist in English or Español.

Submit your completed application with supporting documents by:

  • Email: CCARinfo@fairfaxcounty.gov
  • Fax: 703-324-3917
  • Mail or dropped off at:
    Fairfax Regional Office – CCAR
    12011 Fairfax Government Parkway, Suite 800
    Fairfax, VA 22035

Please note that applications for child care can take up to 30 days to process and complete.

  • You will be assigned an Eligibility Specialist and a Child Care Specialist.
    • Eligibility Specialist: Will help with processing application and eligibility documents that are submitted.
    • Child Care Specialist: Will help with child care arrangements, questions about child care programs and/or swipe card issues (if it applies).
  • Upon review of your application, an Eligibility Specialist may contact you if additional information is needed. Please do not disregard correspondence from Child Care Assistance and Referral as it may delay services.
  • You will be informed if your case is subject to the waitlist.

To view and print the PDFs, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. (Download Adobe Acrobat Reader for free.)

Forms for Families

Child Care Center and Family Child Care Providers Forms

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