The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) announced a policy change to make it easier for more families to access low- or no-cost child care. Effective Feb. 25, MiLEAP removed the requirement that primary parents cooperate with the Office of Child Support to qualify for low- or no-cost child care through the Child Development and Care Program.
MiLEAP is making this change to align with national best practices and respond to feedback from families, child care providers and partners across the state.
Eligibility for Low- or No-Cost Child Care
To receive help covering child care costs, families must be working or going to school (have an approved need reason) and meet the following income guidelines:
- Family of 2 making less than: $39,432 annually, or $18.96/hour full-time.
- Family of 3 making less than: $49,728 annually, or $23.91/hour full-time.
- Family of 4 making less than: $60,000 annually, or $28.85/hour full-time.
Families can apply for the Child Development and Care Program by going to Michigan.gov/MiBridges. Eligibility specialists will ask applicants questions about their child support arrangements, but these questions are not required, and if parents decline to answer, it will not harm their eligibility for child care assistance.
Families can see if they’re eligible for low- or no-cost childcare by using the calculator available at greatstarttoquality.org/calculator.