Afford Child Care

It is now reported that the average annual cost of high-quality child care exceeds that of state college. Allegheny County families may be eligible for reduced child care rates at local high-quality early learning programs. Depending on your household income, there are supports available.

Eligibility for Subsidy

To qualify for subsidized child care:

  • Your household income is no more than twice (200%) of the Federal Poverty Income Guideline (FPIG)

  • Your child is 13 years of age or younger

  • You are a working parent (average of 20 hours per week) or a working parent who also goes to school

Subsidy Programs

  • Child Care Works

    • Family or household must meet 200% of federal poverty guidelines.

    • Children ages birth to 12 years may receive a voucher to attend a child care program based on a family’s or household’s school or work schedule.

    • A small co-pay is required based on family size and annual gross income.

    • Guidelines

State-Funded Early Learning Programs

  • Early Head Start

    • Family or household must meet 100% of federal poverty guidelines.

    • Serves children birth to age two in home-based or center-based programs.

    • Most programs do not provide full-time care.

  • Head Start

    • Family or household must meet 100% of federal poverty guidelines.

    • Provides school-day or school-year programs for children ages three and four.

    • May give preference to 4-year-olds.

  • Pre-K Counts

    • Family or household must meet 300% of federal poverty guidelines.

    • Provides school-day or school-year programs for children ages three and four.

    • May give preference to 4-year-olds.

To determine eligibility or for questions, please contact ELRC Region 5 at 412.350.3577 or email us at elrc5@alleghenycounty.us.

Wrap-Around Care

Subsidized child care is also available for children before and after school. In Allegheny County, the standard school day hours are from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. School-aged children will not receive child care during school hours.

For more information, please contact ELRC Region 5 at 412.350.3577 or email us at elrc5@alleghenycounty.us.

Apply for Subsidy

To apply for subsidized child care, please complete and submit the Pennsylvania application (PDF) to ELRC Region 5 or apply online via the COMPASS website. Please note that you must download the PDF before filling it out electronically.

Before you submit your application, please double-check that you have answered all questions and signed and dated the “Affidavit” on page seven of the application. Applications may be submitted by email, mail, hand-delivered to the address below, or sent via fax to 412.350.3575.

  • ELRC Region 5
    304 Wood Street, STE 400
    Pittsburgh, PA 15222-1928

For additional questions on how to fill-out and submit this application, please contact ELRC Region 5 at 412.350.3577 or email us at elrc5@alleghenycounty.us.

Once you have completed the initial application process, you will be connected to a Family Specialist for the ongoing management of your child care subsidy. You can easily access fillable PDF forms that might be necessary to manage your child care subsidy. Please only fill out forms required by your Family Specialist.

Redetermination

  • If your family currently receives child care subsidy, your redetermination of these benefits is due annually. This form will be sent in the mail to the address on file.

  • All pages must be completed. Families must provide current employment and income information and update any information that has changed, including address, school, or people in the household.

  • The completed form may be mailed back to ELRC Region 5 or completed and submitted via the COMPASS website.

  • Failure to turn in a complete redetermination on time can result in the termination of funding.

  • Forms needed for redetermination can be found on the ELRC Region 5 website. Contact for Family Navigator for information about what forms you need to complete.

Relative Providers

To become an unregulated relative provider, caregivers must meet the following standards set by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services to qualify for child care subsidy payments:

  • Be 18 years of age or older

  • Sign an Attestation form with the parent to verify the provider’s relationship to the child

  • May not live with the child for whom they are providing care

  • Provide proof of working phone and address

  • Provide written notice no later than 72 hours after anyone in their home is arrested, convicted, or listed as a perpetrator of child abuse

  • Have FBI fingerprints taken

    • For more information about fingerprinting visit identogo.com or call 1.844.321.2101.

    • There is a fee for obtaining fingerprints.

  • Complete Mandated Reporter Training

  • Pass Criminal and Child Abuse background check (Act 33 and 34 Clearances)

    • A one-time fee of $35 will be deducted from the first subsidy payment to cover this cost.

  • Complete the National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR)

    • Visit the keepkidssafe.pa.gov to print and complete the NSOR application.

    • There is no fee, but processing may take 14 business days.

  • Complete an orientation and sign an ELRC Provider Agreement

  • Provide a valid Photo ID, Social Security Card, or proof of Social Security Number

For additional questions, please contact ELRC Region 5 at 412.350.3577 or email us at elrc5@alleghenycounty.us.