FOR FAMILIES
Financial Assistance Information
Understand eligibility and funding options for child care.
Paying for child care can be a challenge. This page explains the financial assistance programs available to Trinity County families, who qualifies, and the steps to get started.
What you'll find here
Eligibility guidelines and income requirements
Types of assistance available
Documents you'll need to apply
How to get help completing an application
Who Qualifies For Child Care Financial Assistance
California sets income limits as a percentage of the State Median Income (SMI) for your family size. Child care programs run by CDSS and State Preschool run by CDE use different limits.
<75% No family fee
Families earning under 75% of SMI pay nothing
85% CDSS child care limit
CAPP, CalWORKs Stages, center-based care
100%CDE State Preschool limit
Up to 115% for a limited number of spaces
Two State Departments, Two Sets of Rules
California Department of Social Services
- Programs
- Child care payment assistance (CAPP), CalWORKs Stages 1–3, General Child Care (CCTR), Emergency Bridge, Resource & Referral
- Ages
- Birth to 13 (older with exceptional needs)
- Income limit
- At or below 85% of SMI
- Also needs
- A need for care: working, seeking work, school or training, seeking housing, or incapacity
- Guidance
- CCB 26-17 · CCB 26-16
California Department of Education
- Programs
- California State Preschool Program (CSPP), part-day and full-day
- Ages
- 3 and 4 years old
- Income limit
- At or below 100% of SMI; up to 115% once higher-priority families are served (max 10% of enrollment)
- Need
- Not required for part-day; required for full-day
- Guidance
- MB 26-03 · MB 26-04
2026–27 Income Limits by Family Size
Pick your family size to see the monthly limits. Income is gross monthly income before taxes, with some adjustments.
FAMILY SIZE
| FAMILY SIZE | NO FEE BELOW 75% · MO. |
CDSS 85% · MO. | CDSS 85% · YR. | CDE 100% · MO. | CDE 100% · YR. | CDE 115% · MO. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | $6,282 | $7,120 | $85,434 | $8,376 | $100,510 | $9,632 |
| 3 | $7,107 | $8,055 | $96,652 | $9,476 | $113,708 | $10,897 |
| 4 | $8,503 | $9,636 | $115,637 | $11,337 | $136,044 | $13,038 |
| 5 | $9,863 | $11,178 | $134,139 | $13,151 | $157,811 | $15,124 |
| 6 | $11,224 | $12,720 | $152,641 | $14,965 | $179,578 | $17,210 |
| 7 | $11,479 | $13,009 | $156,110 | $15,305 | $183,659 | $17,601 |
| 8 | $11,734 | $13,298 | $159,580 | $15,645 | $187,741 | $17,992 |
| 9 | $11,989 | $13,587 | $163,049 | $15,985 | $191,822 | $18,383 |
| 10 | $12,244 | $13,876 | $166,518 | $16,325 | $195,903 | $18,774 |
| 11 | $12,499 | $14,165 | $169,987 | $16,665 | $199,985 | $19,165 |
| 12+ | $12,755 | $14,455 | $173,456 | $17,006 | $204,066 | $19,557 |
100% and 115% figures are from CDE Management Bulletin 26-03. The 85% and 75% figures are calculated from the same 2026–27 SMI. Confirm exact dollar amounts against CDSS Child Care Bulletin 26-17 and the 2026–27 family fee schedule.
Family Fees
Most families in subsidized care pay no fee. Fees are set at enrollment and recertification using the state's 2026–27 fee schedule.
You Pay No Fee If…
- Your adjusted monthly income is below 75% of SMI
- You receive CalWORKs cash aid
- Your child is enrolled in part-day State Preschool
- Your child receives protective services or is at risk, when the service plan calls for it
If a Fee Applies
- One flat monthly fee per family, no matter how many children are enrolled
- Part-time fee if certified need is under 130 hours a month; full-time fee at 130 hours or more
- Fees are kept small, at about 1% of monthly income
Where the money comes from in Trinity County
Each program has its own funder, rules and local contractor.
CDSS - State Child Care
CalWORKs Stage 1
TANF · CCDF · State General Fund
Trinity County HHS (CalWORKs)
CalWORKs Stages 2 & 3
TANF · CCDF · State General Fund
Alternative Payment Program
Alternative Payment (CAPP)
CCDF · State General Fund · Prop 64
Human Response Network
General Child Care (CCTR)
CCDF · State General Fund
Local contracted centers
Emergency Child Care Bridge
State General Fund
County child welfare + HRN
Resource & Referral
CCDF · State General Fund
Human Response Network
CDEState education
State Preschool (CSPP)
Prop 98 · State General Fund
HRN Alps View Preschool, Weaverville
Federal U.S. Office of Head Start
Early Head Start
Federal grant
Human Response Network
Head Start
Federal grant
Regional Head Start grantee
In Parent Services
Check your eligibility or contact our team.