The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) in Alaska helps eligible families pay for child care costs each month.
It is run by the Alaska Department of Health’s Child Care Program Office (CCPO) to make child care more affordable while parents work, go to school, look for a job, or participate in approved activities.
Subsidies are paid directly to child care providers on behalf of families, reducing what parents owe out of pocket.
Alaska Child Care Assistance Program
The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) helps families cover child care costs while parents or guardians are working, attending school, looking for work, or participating in approved activities.
It is also called Parents Achieving Self Sufficiency (PASS) and includes distinct categories based on family situation.
The program uses federal Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) dollars and state funds to subsidize care, enabling more families to afford licensed or approved child care.
Who qualifies for child care assistance in Alaska?
To qualify for CCAP:
- Your family must be Alaska residents.
- Children must generally be under age 13 or under age 19 if they have a diagnosed disability and require care.
- Parents or guardians must be working, attending school, job training, or seeking work.
- You must meet income and non‑income eligibility requirements set by the state.
- You must use a child care provider that accepts CCAP payments.
CCAP eligibility is grouped into PASS categories:
- PASS I for families receiving Temporary Assistance (ATAP).
- PASS II for families exiting ATAP with earned income.
- PASS III for families not eligible for PASS I or II who still meet income and non income criteria.
- PASS IV for families with children in protective services.
How does monthly child care subsidy work?
Once approved, CCAP pays child care subsidies each month directly to the approved provider. The amount depends on:
- Family income and size
- Hours of care needed
- Type of provider (center, home, legally exempt)
- Geographic location of the care
- Age of the child or children
For families, the state determines a family contribution or co‑pay. This is usually a small percentage of income. The state pays the rest to the provider up to the approved rate.
Payment is issued monthly based on the authorized hours and attendance reported by the provider.
What are income limits for CCAP in 2026?
Income limits for CCAP are based on a percentage of the Alaska State Median Income (SMI).
Generally families must have monthly gross income below 85% of the SMI to qualify for the subsidy. These limits vary by family size and are updated periodically.
CCAP also considers assets such as savings, and currently total assets cannot exceed certain state limits for eligibility.
How is the family co-pay calculated?
Alaska uses a sliding fee scale to determine each family’s monthly contribution. The family co‑pay is generally based on a percentage of their gross monthly income.
Currently the co‑pay is calculated to be no more than around 9% of monthly income, although state legislation is moving toward lowering this maximum in future years.
The co‑pay amount applies to all children in care together, not per child. Families pay this amount directly to the child care provider each month.
The subsidy is the amount remaining that the state pays to the provider.
What costs does CCAP cover?
CCAP monthly subsidies cover:
- Approved child care hours for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school‑age children
- Child care provided by licensed centers or legally exempt providers who participate in CCAP
- Care needed while parents work, attend school, job training, or seek employment
Payments do not cover care outside authorized hours, extras such as field trips or meals not included in regular tuition, or costs above the state’s approved provider payment rates.
Families are responsible for any charges above the subsidy amount and the calculated co‑pay.
How do families apply for monthly child care subsidies?
To apply for CCAP:
- Complete the official CC08 Child Care Assistance Application.
- Submit it to your local Child Care Assistance Office or regional grantee.
- Provide proof of income, Alaska residency, and children’s ages.
- Attend a required interview by phone or in person.
- Work with staff to determine authorized care hours and subsidy amounts.
The application date often determines when benefits can begin, so submit early. CCAP can take about 30 days to process once complete paperwork is received.
Applications are available through the Alaska Connect online portal or regional offices.
What do child care providers need to receive CCAP payments?
Child care providers must be licensed by the State of Alaska or legally exempt and must elect to participate in the CCAP program to receive subsidy payments.
Both child care centers and approved home providers can be part of CCAP. Providers bill the state monthly based on authorized hours of care attended by enrolled children.
Participation requires compliance with state regulations and reporting requirements.
What additional support may be available with CCAP?
The Alaska Inclusive Child Care Program (Alaska IN!) provides supplemental funding for families in CCAP with children who have diagnosed disabilities.
This program supports providers to offer accommodations and additional care services tailored to each child’s needs.
Eligible families must be enrolled in CCAP and work with approved providers.
