Last updated: May 19, 2026
Bottom line
Arizona’s main child care help is the Arizona Department of Economic Security Child Care Assistance program. It can help pay a DES-contracted child care provider while a parent works, goes to school, attends training, or meets another approved need. The help is paid to the provider, not to the parent.
The hard part is timing. Arizona DES says most new families are being placed on a child care waiting list because funding is limited. As of May 15, 2026, DES reported 7,454 families and 12,505 children on the waiting list. Still, it can make sense to apply now, because your place and priority can matter later.
Start with the official DES application page, then use the provider search or call Child Care Resource & Referral at 1-800-308-9000 to look for care that may accept DES.
Urgent child care help
If you cannot work, keep a job, attend school, go to treatment, or stay safe because you have no child care, do not wait for one option to fix everything. Apply for DES child care, but also ask for short-term help.
- Call Child Care Resource & Referral at 1-800-308-9000 and ask for providers with current openings, infant slots, evening hours, or DES contracts.
- If you are in a homeless shelter or domestic violence shelter, ask your case manager to help you document that situation for DES.
- If you receive Cash Assistance, are in the Jobs Program, recently left Cash Assistance for work, or have DCS or Tribal child welfare involvement, ask DES if your case may be exempt from the waiting list.
- If your child is in immediate danger, call 911. For a concern about a DES child care provider, DES explains how to use the DES complaint page.
Where to start
Use this order if you need care soon and do not have much time:
1. Apply to DES
Apply online through the A-to-Z portal, or submit one paper application to a local DES child care office. Do not file both online and paper unless DES tells you to.
2. Pick providers
Make a list of at least three providers. Ask each one: “Do you accept DES Child Care Assistance, and what would I owe if approved?”
3. Ask about backup programs
For children birth through age 5, ask about Head Start, Early Head Start, and Quality First Scholarships while you wait.
For broader state help with rent, food, health coverage, and bills, keep this page with the Arizona help guide so you are not relying on child care help alone.
Quick reference table
| Need | Best first step | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Help paying for child care | Apply through DES using the official application page or A-to-Z. | Most families may be waitlisted unless they fit an exemption. |
| Help finding openings | Use Child Care Resource & Referral and the state provider search. | Openings can change daily, especially for infants and toddlers. |
| No-cost preschool or infant/toddler services | Check Head Start and Early Head Start in your area. | Slots are limited and each program handles its own enrollment. |
| Quality First Scholarships | Ask Quality First programs if scholarships are open. | Scholarships are offered by providers and are not available everywhere. |
DES Child Care Assistance in Arizona
DES Child Care helps eligible families pay for child care in center-based or home settings that are contracted with DES. It is meant to help parents and legal guardians work, go to school, attend training, or take part in another approved activity.
DES says the program is generally for children from birth through age 12. Families usually must live in Arizona, meet the income rules, have an approved need for care, and choose a DES-contracted provider. DES may also help grandparents or guardians when the child’s parent is not in the home and the caregiver is in an eligible activity.
DES also lists some groups where income is not considered for child care eligibility, including referrals from the TANF Jobs Program, the Arizona Department of Child Safety, or a Tribal child welfare program. Cash Assistance cases tied to employment or Grant Diversion may also have special rules.
Important reality check
Approval does not always mean free care. DES pays the provider based on your authorized hours and the provider’s rate. You may still owe a required copayment, and you may owe extra if the provider charges more than the DES reimbursement maximum or has other fees.
If you need help with food, health care, or baby supplies at the same time, these ASMOM guides may help: SNAP help, WIC help, Medicaid help, and baby gear help.
Income limits and copays
For the initial application, the FFY 2026 DES income chart says gross monthly income must be at or below 165% of the Federal Poverty Level. At renewal, DES uses a separate 85% State Median Income limit. DES makes the final decision from your application, income proof, household size, and program rules.
| Family size | Initial application limit | Renewal limit | What this means |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | $2,909/month | $5,202/month | Initial applications are lower than renewal limits. |
| 3 | $3,665/month | $6,426/month | Use gross monthly income before taxes. |
| 4 | $4,422/month | $7,649/month | DES may request pay stubs or employer proof. |
| 5 | $5,178/month | $8,874/month | More household members can change the limit. |
| 6 | $5,934/month | $10,098/month | Ask DES before assuming you are over income. |
The current DES chart shows minimum daily copays by fee level. Most initial application levels show a minimum daily copay from $0.50 to $1.50 per child in care. Redetermination level 7 shows $2.50. These are minimums, not a promise of your total out-of-pocket cost.
How to apply for DES child care help
DES accepts online applications and paper applications. The online route is usually the simplest because it also supports renewals and document updates.
- Go to the official application page and choose the online A-to-Z option, or download a paper form.
- Choose a DES-contracted provider, if you already know where you want your child to go.
- Gather proof before the interview so your case is not delayed.
- Watch your mail, email, and phone. DES says child care applications can take up to 30 days to process and complete.
- Respond quickly if DES asks for more information.
For questions, the DES contact page lists the Child Care Specialist line at 1-833-947-6396 and the main DES Child Care line at 602-542-4248.
Documents to gather
| Document | Why DES may ask | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Photo ID for applicant | To prove who is applying | Use a current state ID, driver license, passport, or other accepted ID. |
| Child citizenship or status proof | DES lists this for each child needing care | Ask DES what proof is acceptable if documents are hard to get. |
| Pay stubs or employer form | To verify work and income | New jobs and self-employment may need special forms or records. |
| School or training schedule | To show an eligible activity | Keep a copy of class hours and start date. |
| Shelter or special situation form | For homelessness, shelter, unable or unavailable status | Ask your shelter worker or case manager to help complete it. |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Submitting both an online and paper application for the same request.
- Picking a provider that does not accept DES or has no opening.
- Missing a DES letter while on the waiting list.
- Not reporting address, income, or household changes while waiting.
- Assuming the DES payment will cover the full provider rate.
Arizona child care waiting list
DES says a waiting list is in place for most families applying for Child Care Assistance. You can still apply. DES says applicants are processed for eligibility, and families that do not meet a waiting list exemption are placed on the list.
The waiting list priority is based on income and application date. Families at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level are released first when funding allows, followed by 10% income bands up to 165% FPL.
| Situation | Likely waiting list impact | What to ask DES |
|---|---|---|
| Working low-income family | Often placed on the list | Ask for your priority group and what changes you must report. |
| Teen parent in school | May be placed on the list | Ask what proof of attendance is needed. |
| Cash Assistance or Jobs referral | May be exempt | Ask whether your case is coded under an exempt pathway. |
| DCS or Tribal child welfare referral | May be exempt | Ask the worker to send the correct referral. |
| Released from the waitlist | Must act quickly | Ask how to return proof within the notice deadline. |
If you are waitlisted, keep copies of notices and tell DES about changes within five business days. If you are released from the list, DES says the notice asks families to respond within 10 days.
Finding a child care provider that works
Use more than one search path. A provider can be licensed, high quality, and still not have a current opening. A provider can also accept DES but still charge more than the DES payment covers.
- Use the state Arizona provider search for child care options near your ZIP code.
- Call Child Care Resource & Referral for help comparing care types, locations, special needs options, languages, and openings.
- Use Quality First search to find participating programs, then ask each provider if scholarships are open.
- Check ADHS licensing if you want licensing information or want to understand how child care facilities are regulated.
Question to ask every provider
“If DES approves me, what would I pay each week after the DES payment, my copay, registration fees, supply fees, late pickup fees, and any difference above the DES rate?”
Other child care options in Arizona
DES is the main subsidy, but it is not the only path. While you apply or wait, check these options.
Head Start and Early Head Start
Head Start helps eligible preschool-age children. Early Head Start serves pregnant women and children from birth to age 3. The Arizona Department of Education says Head Start in Arizona includes regional and Tribal grantees across the state. Use the federal Head Start locator, the Arizona Head Start list, or ADE Head Start information to find your local program.
In Maricopa County, the county says Early Head Start and Head Start are offered at no cost to qualifying families at more than 40 locations. The Maricopa Head Start page has application details for its service area.
Quality First Scholarships
First Things First says Quality First Scholarships may help low-income families afford quality early care and education for children birth through age 5. Scholarships are limited, offered by participating providers, and may have waiting lists. The paying for care page explains how families can ask providers about openings.
2-1-1 and local help
Arizona 2-1-1 lists child care expense assistance and other family resources. Use 2-1-1 child care when you need a local search, especially if you also need food, diapers, rent help, or transportation.
These ASMOM pages may help with the bills that make child care harder to afford: Arizona housing help, utility help, transportation help, and emergency help.
What to do if you are denied, delayed, or confused
If DES denies your case, closes your case, lowers help, or says you are missing proof, read the notice first. Do not rely only on what someone said by phone. The notice should explain the reason and what you can do next.
- Ask DES what exact proof is missing and how to send it.
- Keep a screenshot, fax confirmation, email copy, or office receipt for every document.
- If you disagree with a decision, DES says you may request a fair hearing through your assigned eligibility specialist.
- Use the official fair hearing form if you need to appeal a child care decision.
This is not legal advice. If the case involves an appeal, immigration status, safety, custody, or a child welfare referral, ask for help from a legal aid office or trusted advocate. ASMOM’s legal help page can help you find a starting point. If child support is part of your budget, see child support in Arizona.
Backup plan while you wait
Waiting for DES can be stressful. Make a short backup plan that does not depend on one office call.
- Apply for DES now, even if you expect to be waitlisted.
- Ask three providers about DES, sliding-scale rates, sibling discounts, and scholarship lists.
- Ask your school, training program, or employer if they have child care referrals, schedule flexibility, or emergency funds.
- Ask 2-1-1 for short-term child care, transportation, rent, diaper, or food referrals.
- Check Head Start and Quality First options for younger children.
For a national overview, ASMOM also has a child care hub with other ways to think about subsidies, Head Start, relatives, school programs, and employer help.
Phone scripts
Call DES about your application
“Hi, I applied for Child Care Assistance. My name is [name], and my date of birth is [date]. Can you tell me whether my application is complete, whether I am on the waiting list, and what documents you still need from me?”
Call DES about a waiting list exemption
“I may be connected to Cash Assistance, Jobs, DCS, Tribal child welfare, a shelter, or another special situation. Can you tell me whether my case may be exempt from the child care waiting list, and what proof or referral is needed?”
Call a provider
“Do you accept Arizona DES Child Care Assistance? Do you have openings for a child age [age]? If DES approves me, what fees might I still owe each week?”
Call CCR&R
“I need help finding child care near [ZIP code]. I need [hours], and I am applying for DES. Can you give me providers that may have openings, accept DES, and fit [infant care, evening hours, special needs, transportation, or language needs]?”
Resumen en español
La ayuda principal para pagar cuidado infantil en Arizona es el programa de Child Care Assistance de DES. Puede ayudar a pagar a un proveedor contratado por DES mientras usted trabaja, estudia, recibe entrenamiento o cumple con otra actividad aprobada.
Hay lista de espera para muchas familias. Aun así, puede ser útil aplicar ahora. Guarde copias de todos los documentos, revise sus cartas de DES y avise a DES si cambia su dirección, ingreso o familia. Para buscar proveedores, llame a Child Care Resource & Referral al 1-800-308-9000.
FAQ
Can single mothers get help paying for child care in Arizona?
Yes. Arizona DES Child Care Assistance can help eligible parents and guardians pay for child care so they can work, go to school, attend training, or meet another approved need. Most families must meet income rules and may be placed on a waiting list.
Is Arizona DES child care free?
Not always. DES may pay part of the provider cost directly to the provider. You may still owe a copay and any amount the provider charges above the DES reimbursement maximum.
What is the Arizona child care income limit?
For FFY 2026 initial applications, DES says gross monthly income must be at or below 165% of the Federal Poverty Level. For example, the listed initial limit is $3,665 per month for a family of three and $4,422 per month for a family of four.
Can I apply if there is a waiting list?
Yes. DES says families can still apply. If you are eligible but do not meet a waiting list exemption, you may be placed on the list until funding is available.
Who may be exempt from the waiting list?
DES lists exemptions for some referrals from the Jobs Program, Cash Assistance, DCS, and Tribal child welfare. Ask DES if your case may fit one of these pathways.
Where can I find a provider that accepts DES?
Use the Arizona child care provider search and call Child Care Resource & Referral at 1-800-308-9000. Always ask the provider if they currently accept DES and what your out-of-pocket cost may be.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified May 19, 2026, next review August 19, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.