Childcare Assistance for Single Mothers in Virginia

Where to start

Start the subsidy application and provider search at the same time. A family can lose a job or class spot while waiting for a perfect provider, but a provider cannot usually start subsidy-paid care until the authorization is in place.

For a broader support plan, keep ASMOM’s child care help guide open, then use the Virginia help page to connect child care with food, housing, utilities, and job support.

Quick reference table

Virginia Child Care Subsidy Program

CCSP helps eligible families pay for child care for children under age 13. It may also help with care for a child with special needs under age 18. If you are approved, Virginia pays a participating child care provider directly, and you pay your family copay plus any approved charges that are still your responsibility.

Who may qualify

You must live in Virginia and need child care because you are working, looking for work, in school, in training, receiving child protective services, taking part in VIEW, or taking part in a SNAP Employment and Training activity. You also must provide required proof for your child, such as citizenship or lawful residence documentation and immunization information, unless a temporary or special rule applies.

Income limits are based on household size and locality rules. Do not guess based only on gross pay. A caseworker decides what income counts. If you recently lost hours, changed jobs, started school, separated from a partner, or became homeless, tell the worker because your current situation matters.

How to apply

The fastest route for most families is the subsidy application page, which points to the online form and paper application. If you apply online, choose child care services and upload documents from your phone if possible. If you need paper, ask DSS to mail the application or let you pick it up.

Virginia says applications are reviewed within 30 days. A review is not the same as a guaranteed start date. A complete application can still go to a waitlist if your locality has no funded slots open.

Waitlists

Virginia reintroduced waitlists in many areas when demand is higher than available slots. Your local department can tell you whether a waitlist applies where you live, your place on the list, and what updates are due. Families on a waitlist must update or confirm their information once per quarter to stay active. If your phone number, address, job, school, income, or family size changes, update your worker right away.

Copays and costs

Virginia updated the CCSP family copayment scale effective July 1, 2025. State materials explain that families are responsible for a share of child care costs, known as the family copayment. Virginia’s current rules are designed so no family pays more than 5% of family income as the CCSP copayment, and families below the poverty level owe $5 per child monthly.

Documents checklist

You may not need every item below, but having them ready can prevent delays. ASMOM’s documents checklist can help you keep copies together. If you are missing papers because you are homeless, fleeing unsafe housing, or recently separated, tell the worker. Virginia may allow conditional approval for a child experiencing homelessness for up to 90 days while documents are gathered.

Finding a provider that works

Use Virginia’s Find Care tool to search by locality, provider type, and subsidy provider status. You can also use the finding child care page to understand inspection reports, hours, ages served, capacity, and violations.

For personal help, call Child Care Aware of Virginia at 866-543-7852. Ask for providers near your work, school, bus route, or home that accept subsidy and have space for your child’s age.

Do not choose only by price. Check hours, transportation, illness rules, late pickup fees, teacher turnover, inspection history, and how the provider handles emergencies. You can also review VQB5 profiles for publicly funded early childhood programs in Virginia.

Attendance and Child Care PASS

Virginia launched Child Care PASS for families participating in CCSP. PASS replaced the older VaECC attendance system. Families and providers use PASS to record attendance electronically, so ask your provider how you should check your child in and out.

Backup options if CCSP is delayed or not enough

It is common to need more than one path. Apply for CCSP, then add the options below based on your child’s age and your schedule.

If child care costs are part of a larger crisis, use ASMOM’s Virginia emergency help, SNAP in Virginia, TANF in Virginia, and WIC in Virginia to lower other bills while you wait.

For housing, energy, work, or legal problems that make child care harder to keep, see ASMOM’s housing help, utility help, job training, and legal help.

Other help that can support child care

If your child has a disability or needs extra support, ask the provider and your worker what documentation is needed. ASMOM’s special-needs help guide can help you plan questions for school, Medicaid, and local services.

Virginia has public and nonprofit Community Action agencies that may help with job training, housing support, and local referrals. Use the state community services page to find agencies and programs near you.

What to do if your case is denied, delayed, or confusing

Ask for the reason in writing. A denial may be about income, missing documents, activity hours, child age, provider status, or a missed interview. Do not rely only on a phone message if your deadline is close.

If you disagree with a decision, you may have appeal rights. The Virginia appeal page explains the fair hearing process, including notices, hearings, evidence, and appeal status help. The rights page can also point you to civil rights and review options. ASMOM’s denied benefits guide can help you organize deadlines and notices.