Nevada Child Care Assistance Program: Income Limits, Copays, and How to Apply

How the Nevada child care assistance program works

CCDP is Nevada’s share of the federal Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF). The state’s Child Care Policy Manual, dated July 2024, says the program pays up to 100% of the state maximum rate for care, and payments go to a provider of the parent’s choice as long as the provider is registered with CCDP.

Most families receive a certificate. You pick the provider, the state pays its share based on your approved schedule and your child’s attendance, and you pay your copay to the provider. Nevada also funds two other formats: contracted slots, mostly before- and after-school programs such as Boys and Girls Clubs, and wraparound care, which covers hours before or after a Head Start day.

Behind the scenes, the manual groups families into funding categories. TANF families in the NEON employment program are one group. “At-risk” families have income below 130% of the federal poverty level, and “discretionary” families have income above that but below 85% of state median income. You do not need to know your category to apply; staff assign it.

Many older pages and forms still use the name DWSS. The agency has since been renamed the Division of Social Services, with a new website at dss.nv.gov. Both names refer to the same office.

Who qualifies for a subsidy

Based on the policy manual and the DSS parents page, a household generally needs:

• A child under 13, or under 19 with a verified special need. If a child turns 13 during the 12 months, care continues to the end of the certificate as long as income stays under 85% of state median income.
• A purpose of care for each parent or caretaker in the home: paid work, approved job search, school, job training, or a disability that keeps the parent from caring for the child.
• Nevada residency and proof of citizenship or eligible immigration status for each child receiving care. Parents’ own status is not the test; the child’s is.
• Income within the limits below for your household size.

The manual includes a few practical allowances. Up to 60 minutes of travel time each way to work is covered. Parents who work a graveyard shift can get up to eight hours of care for sleep when no other caretaker is available. Job search care is limited to 90 days in a calendar year and depends on available funding, so it may not always be offered.

Income limits for new applicants

Nevada uses gross monthly income, before taxes. The chart below comes from the DSS household size and monthly income chart, effective for applications received on or after October 1, 2026. New applicants must be at or below 41% of state median income.

All amounts are monthly gross income. The chart continues up to a household of 12. For example, a family of three earning $2,800 a month would fall in the $90 copay tier at intake. A family of three earning $3,100 would be over the intake limit, even though it might qualify at renewal if it were already enrolled.

Renewal limits and the 85% ceiling

Families who are already enrolled get a higher limit when they renew: 49% of state median income, with a third copay tier of $150. The same October 1, 2026 chart applies to renewals that start on or after that date.

The last column matters during your 12 months. Federal rules keep your help in place if your income rises, as long as it stays at or below 85% of state median income. Nevada uses that 85% figure for changes reported during an open certificate. The two-step design, 41% to get in and 49% to stay, is meant to keep a small raise from cutting off care at renewal.

These limits returned in October 2024, when Nevada ended its pandemic-era expansion after federal relief funds ran out. The dollar amounts are updated each year, usually effective October 1.

What families pay each month

Nevada uses a flat monthly copay rather than a percentage of income. Under the October 2026 chart, families pay $0, $90, or $150 a month depending on household size and income, as shown in the tables above. You pay the copay directly to your provider.

The policy manual says these families are exempt from copays:

• TANF families in the NEON employment program.
• Families with children in foster care or with Child Protective Services involvement.
• Families experiencing homelessness.
• Wraparound families and parents in an approved substance use treatment or recovery program.

The manual also lets the program chief waive a copay case by case in unusual circumstances, through a written request. If your provider charges more than the state rate, ask up front whether you will owe the difference.

Waitlist and priority groups

When funding is short, Nevada uses a waitlist. The DSS parents page says there is no set time limit for new families on the waitlist, that the list is reviewed monthly, and that applications are processed in the order they were received. Once you are found eligible, you are guaranteed 12 months of coverage.

The manual lists these priority groups:

While you wait, DSS sends a request for updated information at least every three months. Answer it, and keep your contact details current. Relatives who took in a child before any CPS action are also not placed on the waitlist, according to the manual.

Papers to gather before you apply

The Child Care and Development Program application asks for proof of:

• Citizenship or eligible status for every child who needs care, such as a birth certificate.
• Identity for every adult in the household, such as a driver license or state ID.
• Nevada residency, such as a lease or utility bill.
• All income for everyone in the household for at least the last 30 days, such as pay stubs or benefit letters.
• Relationship and custody, such as birth certificates or custody orders.
• Your schedule for work, school, or training, such as an employer letter on letterhead showing days and hours, or a class schedule.

If you are in a priority group and a document is hard to get, the manual allows up to 90 days after approval to provide it.

Applying in northern and southern Nevada

1. Find a provider registered with CCDP, or ask for help finding one by emailing providersupport@childrenscabinet.org. The federal Childcare.gov Nevada page also lists state search tools.
2. Apply. Statewide, you can create an account and apply on Access Nevada.
   • Southern Nevada: you can also email your application to ccdp@dss.nv.gov, mail it to the CCDP office in Carson City, or drop it off at any DSS office.
   • Northern Nevada: you can also email it to The Children’s Cabinet at subsidy@childrenscabinet.org.
3. Send your documents with the application or as soon as staff ask for them.
4. Allow time. DSS asks families to allow 10 business days for replies. If there is a waitlist, you will be told when a slot opens.
5. Call 775-684-0625 for case questions or changes.

Keeping your subsidy

Your certificate normally runs 12 months. To keep it running smoothly:

• Report changes in income, household, address, schedule, or provider to ccdp@dss.nv.gov.
• Pay your copay to the provider on time each month.
• Watch attendance. The manual has rules on excessive unexplained absences, and payment is tied to your approved schedule.
• Renew on time. The higher 49% limit only helps families who renew before their certificate ends.
• Stay in the loop. You can get program updates by emailing LISTSERV@LISTSERV.STATE.NV.US with a blank subject and the message “subscribe CHILDCARE PARENTS.”

Federal CCDF rules in brief

CCDP follows federal rules in 45 CFR Part 98. They cap eligibility at 85% of state median income, require at least 12 months of eligibility once approved, and let states choose lower entry limits, like Nevada’s 41%.

A 2024 federal rule asked states to keep copays at or below 7% of family income. In May 2026, HHS published a final rule removing that cap and some provider payment requirements, effective July 13, 2026. States can still keep lower copays. Nevada’s October 2026 chart kept the same $0, $90, and $150 tiers.

Other ways to lower child care costs

• Head Start and Early Head Start offer free early education for eligible children up to age 5, and Nevada can add wraparound subsidy hours around them.
• Nevada Ready! Pre-K covers part of the day for eligible 4-year-olds at some schools and centers. Subsidy can cover the hours outside it.
• Tax credits: the Child and Dependent Care Credit and the child tax credit can return money at tax time. See our guide to child tax credits.
• SNAP and TANF through Access Nevada can ease the rest of the budget. Our SNAP calculator gives a rough estimate.
• Other state help: our Nevada assistance programs guide covers food, housing, and utility programs.

You can also dial 211 to ask about local child care scholarships or employer programs in your area.

Related guides

• Nevada assistance programs
• Child tax credits
• Housing for single moms
• Nevada utility relief programs

Frequently asked questions

This guide is general information. Income limits, copays, and waitlist rules are set by the Nevada Division of Social Services and can change, usually each October 1. National Relief Program is an independent website and is not affiliated with the State of Nevada or any government agency.