Starting in September, New York will eliminate out-of-pocket payments that some 22,000 low-income families still make for subsidized child care. The city will assume these fees, so those who already receive assistance through vouchers or contracted programs will be able to access the service without paying the weekly co-payment that until now corresponded to them.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the measure this Thursday, August 13, as part of his strategy to move towards a universal child care system in the city.
The decision does not mean that all child care will become free for all New York families. The benefit specifically reaches those who already receive public assistance to pay for their child care and still must cover a portion of the cost.
Who will stop paying for child care
The measure will benefit approximately 22,000 low-income families enrolled in the Child Care Assistance Program who currently pay a fee calculated according to their income.
That copay can currently reach up to about $15 a week for many families, according to Gothamist. Starting in September, the city will also cover that part.
The municipal administration estimates that it will assume around $5.2 million annually in expenses that today come directly from the pockets of these families. Starting in fiscal year 2028, the budget includes $6.24 million annually to sustain the policy.
Which families can access the assistance program
The Child Care Assistance Program subsidizes care for children from 6 weeks to 13 years old, and up to 19 years old in the case of minors with disabilities.
For many families, eligibility depends on income and need for care. Current guidelines set the overall limit at 85% of the state median income. For a family of four, that currently works out to about $113,568 a year, according to NYC Public Schools.
Limits vary depending on family size and approximate maximum annual income:
The figures correspond to the current standard published by the city and may be updated.
It is not enough to just meet the income requirement
Income is not the only criterion. Generally speaking, families must also demonstrate a valid reason why they need child care. Among the situations recognized by the city are:
In two-parent households, both parents must generally meet one of the recognized reasons for needing care.
Families who receive cash assistance, have an active child welfare case, or are foster families may follow specific procedures through other city agencies.
When does completely free child care start?
The change will begin in September 2026. The good news for families already in the program is that they will not have to make a new application or complete any additional procedures to stop paying the fee.
The city reported that the change will be automatic for those who currently receive subsidized care and are subject to co-payment.
More than 100,000 children currently receive vouchers
The scope of the assistance program is much greater than the 22,000 families directly benefited by this new measure. More than 100,000 children currently receive child care vouchers in New York, while several thousand infants, toddlers, and preschoolers access expanded programs through city contracts.
The difference is that not all of those families currently pay an out-of-pocket fee. Some lower-income households, including certain public assistance recipients, no longer had copays. Therefore, the new policy focuses on the approximately 22,000 families who still had to pay a portion of the service.
How to Apply for Help Paying for Child Care
Families who have not yet received the subsidy can check their eligibility and submit an application. The city allows you to start the process through MyCity, in addition to providing assistance through 311 and the corresponding channels of NYC Public Schools or the Administration for Children's Services.
Not all applications are automatically approved: income, family composition, and reason for needing child care must be evaluated.
For those who are admitted, the new policy means that the subsidy will be able to cover the entire cost that was previously divided between the program and the family.
New York moves toward universal child care
The announcement comes as the city also prepares to launch its new free program for 2-year-olds. More than 5,700 families applied for one of the first spots in the 2-K program, nearly three times more than the initial number of spots available.
That program is different from the Child Care Assistance Program and has its own expansion schedule.
The elimination of co-payments is, for now, a much more concrete measure: starting in September, around 22,000 families that already receive assistance will be able to maintain that service without having to pay a portion of the cost weekly.
