Updated Oct 27, 2026
Help paying for child care in Massachusetts
Child Care Financial Assistance, from the state’s Department of Early Education and Care, helps families pay for child care at programs that have a voucher agreement or contract with the state. Your family pays a fee based on your income.
Who may qualify
- Since Jan 1, 2026, families with household income at or below 85% of the state median income may qualify.
- The state’s own chart turns that into a dollar limit for each family size, by month.
- Other rules also apply, such as the reason your family needs care. The state decides.
Source: the Department of Early Education and Care’s policy for income-eligible families. mass.gov doesn’t allow automated reading, so we don’t copy the state’s dollar figures here; see them on mass.gov.
Programs that can take it
The state lists 6,431 programs with a voucher agreement or contract to serve children with Child Care Financial Assistance: 2,229 centers and 4,202 family child care homes. Each program’s page on this site says whether it has one.
Find programsHow to apply
- Read how to apply on the state’s page, Apply for funds to help pay for child care.
- Your regional Child Care Resource and Referral agency can help you apply and find a program. Find the one for your town.
- The state reviews your application and tells you what happens next.
- Choose a program that can take Child Care Financial Assistance. Ask the program, too, whether it has room for your child’s age.