Nebraska Child Care Subsidy

The Child Care Subsidy helps low-income families pay for child care. It is for parents who need care while they work, go to school, or train for a job. You pick a licensed or approved provider, and the subsidy helps cover the cost of care for your children. Apply online through iServe Nebraska.

There are three income lines to know, and they get more generous as you go. Families can enter the program with household income up to 185 percent of the federal poverty level. At review, or redetermination, families can stay eligible with income up to 200 percent of poverty. Ongoing eligibility then extends up to 85 percent of state median income.

That step-up design matters for working parents. It means a raise at work does not always end your help right away. You can enter at 185 percent of poverty, then keep help at review up to 200 percent, and stay on up to 85 percent of state median income. So a small raise is less likely to knock you off care.

Some families pay a monthly family fee, and some do not. Families with income at or below 100 percent of poverty are exempt from the fee. Families with income over 100 percent of poverty pay a monthly family fee equal to 7 percent of their gross household income. Knowing this helps you plan your budget.

This page cannot promise approval or tell you your exact fee. DHHS reviews your income, your need for care, and your provider, then decides. What we can say is that the program is built to support parents who are working, studying, or training, so it is worth applying if child care is what stands between you and a job.

Apply online through iServe Nebraska, the same portal used for SNAP and Medicaid. For questions about your eligibility, call the Child Care Subsidy Program at (402) 471-9152. If you need care right away while your application is reviewed, you can dial 2-1-1 to look for local child-care resources.