👶 How to Apply for Texas Child Care Subsidy

Texas offers child care financial assistance through the Texas Workforce Commission’s Child Care Services (CCS) program. This helps eligible families pay part or all of their child care costs so parents can work, attend school, or train for a job.

📍 Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Visit Texas Child Care Connection (TX3C).
   All applications start by creating an account and completing an eligibility screener in the statewide portal called Texas Child Care Connection (TX3C).

2. Complete the eligibility screener.
   The screener will help determine whether your family might qualify based on income, work or school status, and child age.

3. Submit the required information.
   The online application will ask you to upload documents such as:

   • Proof of income and employment or school/training enrollment

   • Children’s ages and U.S. citizenship or legal status

   • A licensed or registered child care provider’s information
     These documents help verify your eligibility.

4. Wait for a decision.
   Once your application and documents are submitted, the CCS team reviews them and notifies you about approval or next steps. In areas with limited funding, families may be placed on a waitlist until help becomes available.

📄 Who Might Qualify

• Families with children under age 13 (or up to age 19 if the child has a disability)

• Parents who work, seek employment, attend school, or participate in job training

• Household income within program limits set each year

• Children must live with the parent or guardian applying for care assistance

💡 Tips for Applying

• Start by creating your account at the Texas Child Care Connection (TX3C) site — this is the central portal for all CCS applications.

• Keep key documents handy before beginning your application to help speed the process.

• Because demand is high and subsidy funds are limited in some regions, don’t be surprised if there’s a waitlist — applying early helps your place in line.

We are pleased to announce that Just Kids has been added to the list of schools participating in the Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) program. We strongly encourage all families to apply for this benefit, even if you believe your chances of being selected are low, as future funding for the program will be influenced in part by demonstrated interest.

The family application opens on February 4. Learn more about the application process here. For more information on TEFA, go to the For Families link here.

Military families may be eligible for financial support through the Child Care Aware of America Program. 

💰 2026 Child Care Tax Credits

💡 Child Care Tax Credit — What Parents Should Know for 2026

Did you know you may receive a federal tax credit for the money you pay for child care?

The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit from the Internal Revenue Service helps working families offset the cost of care while parents are employed.

👶 Who Qualifies?

You may be eligible if:

• You have a child under age 13, and

• You pay for child care so you can work or look for work.

💰 How Much Could You Receive?

You can claim a percentage of your child care expenses:

• Up to $3,000 in expenses for one child

• Up to $6,000 in expenses for two or more children

Depending on your income, families may receive up to 50% of those costs back as a tax credit. That could mean:

• As much as $1,500 back for one child

• As much as $3,000 back for two or more children

(The exact amount depends on household income and tax situation.)

🧾 What Parents Need

To claim the credit, families will need:

• Their child care provider’s name, address, and Tax ID number

• Total child care expenses paid during the year

This information is entered on IRS Form 2441 when filing your federal tax return.

⭐ Why This Matters

Child care is an investment in your child’s growth — and this credit helps make quality care more affordable for working families.

For personalized advice, parents should speak with a tax professional.

🏢 Ways Employers Can Support Child Care

Employers can assist working parents through:

• Dependent Care FSA programs
Employees set aside pre-tax income to pay for child care expenses.

• Child care stipends or reimbursements
Employers help cover part of tuition costs.

• Partnered child care arrangements
Companies collaborate with trusted centers to provide priority access or discounts.