ELRC 19 Chester County

Need help paying for child care? The PA Child Care Works (CCW) Subsidized Child Care Program helps low-income families pay their child care fees. The state and federal governments fund this program for eligible families. Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) 19 is proud to manage this program for your county and we’re eager to support you through the application process.

Applying for this child care funding is easy! But first, a few things to consider:

Are you eligible?

You must:

• Live in Pennsylvania 
• Have a child or children in need of child care while you work or attend an education program
• Meet income guidelines and employment or job training requirements

Income Guidelines: Family Size and Annual Income

• 2 - $42,300
• 3 - $53,300
• 4 - $64,300
• 5 - $75,300
• 6 - $86,300
• 7 - $97,300

And your child must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Be under the age of 13
• Be under the age of 19 if they have special needs

If you meet those requirements, your application will be reviewed and if approved: 

• The ELRC will pay a part of your child care cost. This is called a subsidy payment.

• You will pay a part of the cost. This is called the family co-pay.
• The subsidy payment and the family co-pay go directly to the child care program.

Ready to apply? 

How to Apply Online for the Child Care Works Subsidy

Follow these simple steps to submit an online application through PA Child Care Works. 

1. Complete Your Application through COMPASS 

• The online application is fastest way for you to provide your information and for us to review your eligibility.
• Call or visit our office if you need assistance completing your application or submitting documents. Our staff is ready to help.

2. Submit Your Supporting Documents

Email your supporting documents to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Authorization to Release Information (form here)
• Copy of your Driver’s License or State ID 
• Proof of Address
• Birth Certificates for Your Children (or a completed birth record, school record, court document or medical document)
• Income Verification (one month of pay stubs or EVF form here)

3. Search for Child Care Providers

• You have choices when it comes to selecting a quality care provider for your child.
• Use the COMPASS Online Child Care Provider Search Tool to decide which local child care providers will best suit your family’s needs. 
• If eligible, once the application process is complete, ELRC 19 will contact the provider to confirm your child’s start date.

Additional Documents

Application Instructions

Access paper versions of application:

• English version
• Spanish version

NOTE

If your child care subsidy does not pay the full amount that your child care program charges, the provider may ask you to pay the difference between the subsidy payment and their private charges.