The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued a new Schedule of Income Ceilings for subsidized child care. The schedule applies to direct service and voucher-based child care and development contracts administered by CDSS. The updated schedule is used to determine income eligibility for state subsidized child care and development programs, and priority for enrollment in those programs. The new schedule is to be used effect8ve July 1, 2024.
Contractors must enroll families into CDSS administered subsidized child care in priority order. First priority is neglected or abused children who are in child protective services, or who are at risk of being abused and neglected with a written referral from a medical, legal or social services agency.
Second priority is income eligibility, with lower income families receiving higher priority. If two or more families have the same priority, a family with an exceptional needs child is admitted first. Families with a primary lowest income receive the highest priority. Families who used a primary language other than English also have second tier priority.
Families who receive means tested government benefits (CalWORKs, CalFresh etc) must be prioritized based on the income they state on their application for the means tested government program.
The Income Ranking Table does not apply to CalWORKs Stages One, Two, or Three child care. (CCB 24-12, July 1, 2024.)