Indiana runs its child care subsidy through the Child Care and Development Fund voucher, or CCDF, administered by the Family and Social Services Administration. Here is exactly who qualifies, what it costs your family, and the step-by-step way to apply in 2026.
You apply online through Early Ed Connect, the state's application for the CCDF voucher and On My Way Pre-K, on the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Carefinder website. If your gross monthly income is at or below 135 percent of the federal poverty level, at least one parent is working, in school, or in approved training, and your child is under thirteen, you qualify on paper. The catch is funding: Indiana has used a CCDF waitlist, per the Family and Social Services Administration.
The honest tradeoff. Indiana lowered its CCDF entry income limit from 150 to 135 percent of the federal poverty level, so fewer families qualify than a year ago, and the program has used a waitlist when demand outran funding. Starting in May 2026 the state began moving children off the list, but a voucher is still not guaranteed the day you apply.
To qualify, your gross monthly income must be at or below 135 percent of the federal poverty level, at least one parent must be in an approved activity such as work, school, or job training, you must live in the county where you apply, and the child must be under thirteen and a U.S. citizen or qualified immigrant, per the Family and Social Services Administration. Children over thirteen with documented special needs can qualify to age nineteen.
Some families are prioritized. Families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), families experiencing homelessness, teen parents, and children with documented special needs are served as priority groups, per FSSA policy. These groups move ahead when a waitlist is in place.
These approximate monthly limits use the 2025 federal poverty guidelines at 135 percent, the Indiana CCDF entry ceiling effective in 2026. Treat them as a guide and confirm with FSSA.
| Household size | Approx. monthly limit | Approx. annual limit |
|---|---|---|
| Family of 2 | ~$2,380 | ~$28,550 |
| Family of 3 | ~$3,000 | ~$35,980 |
| Family of 4 | ~$3,615 | ~$43,400 |
| Family of 5 | ~$4,235 | ~$50,830 |
| Source: 2025 HHS federal poverty guidelines at 135% (Indiana CCDF entry ceiling, effective 2026). Ongoing eligibility extends to 85% State Median Income. | ||
Most families pay a weekly co-payment set by family size and income, paid directly to the provider. Co-pays are modest at the lowest income tiers and rise toward the upper end of eligibility, per the Family and Social Services Administration co-pay schedule. The CCDF voucher covers the rest, up to the state's maximum reimbursement rate for the care type and the child's age.
Because the voucher pays up to a maximum rate, families at higher-priced centers in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and Carmel may owe the difference between the state rate and the center's tuition. Providers at higher levels of Indiana's Paths to QUALITY rating system can receive higher reimbursement, so voucher dollars often stretch further at higher-rated programs.
Apply in five steps through Early Ed Connect. The same application covers the CCDF voucher and On My Way Pre-K. Gather your documents first; an incomplete application is the most common reason for delay, per Family and Social Services Administration guidance.
One practical tip. If your child is turning four, apply for On My Way Pre-K through the same Early Ed Connect application. A free pre-K seat the year before kindergarten can cover the educational hours while a CCDF voucher, if approved, covers full-day wraparound care.
You can appeal a Family and Social Services Administration denial or termination by requesting a hearing, generally within the timeframe stated on your notice, per FSSA due-process rules. Many denials turn on a missing pay stub or proof of activity and are resolved once you supply the right document.
While you wait, other supports layer well. Head Start and Early Head Start serve income-eligible children at no cost, On My Way Pre-K covers many four-year-olds, and a Dependent Care FSA through your employer can shelter up to $5,000 pre-tax for care costs. The federal Child and Dependent Care Credit can offset part of what you pay out of pocket.
Apply online through Early Ed Connect on the FSSA Carefinder website. Complete the CCDF voucher application, upload your documents, and wait for a determination.
Gross monthly income must be at or below 135 percent of the federal poverty level, about $43,400 a year for a family of four. Families already enrolled can keep care until income reaches 85 percent of State Median Income.
The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, through its Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning, administers the CCDF voucher and On My Way Pre-K.
Indiana has used a CCDF waitlist when demand exceeds funding. Starting May 2026 the state began moving about 14,000 children off the list as the cap returned to 57,000.
Yes. On My Way Pre-K helps income-eligible four-year-olds attend pre-kindergarten at no cost, using the same Early Ed Connect application.
For most Indiana families near the income ceiling, the best move is to apply through Early Ed Connect now, even with a waitlist in play, since the state is moving children off the list in 2026. Gather your documents, file early to hold your place, and if your child is turning four, apply for On My Way Pre-K in the same step.
Eligibility, co-pays, On My Way Pre-K, Paths to QUALITY, and CCDF rates statewide.
Read the guide → Indiana costWhat a center or registered home actually costs across Indiana in 2026.
See Indiana costs → Free toolEstimate your net out-of-pocket tuition after credits and subsidies.
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