Childcare Vouchers in NYC: ACS & HRA
What Parents Need to Know
What Are Childcare Vouchers?
New York City offers childcare vouchers to help families afford quality early care and education—from infants to school-age children. These subsidies cover many types of childcare, including center‑based programs, licensed home‑based care, and approved informal options like relatives, neighbors, or friends.
Types of Vouchers: ACS vs HRA
ACS Child Care Vouchers
- Administered by the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), these vouchers support families caring for children ages 6 weeks to 13 years old, and up to 19 years old for children with disabilities.
- Full coverage of childcare costs is available for families on cash assistance, experiencing homelessness, or foster parents. Others pay a portion of the cost based on income and family size.
HRA Child Care Vouchers
- Managed through the Human Resources Administration (HRA), these vouchers are for families receiving Cash Assistance.
- Many childcare providers refer to “ACS HRA vouchers,” but practically, ACS and HRA vouchers operate within the same system and are interchangeable.
Who Qualifies for ACS or HRA Childcare Vouchers?
Families may be eligible if:
Eligibility Requirements
- Income falls below certain thresholds:
- 2-person household: ~$6,156/month ($73,870/year)
- 4-person household: ~$9,053/month ($108,632/year)
- You have an approved reason for care, such as:
- Working 10+ hours per week
- Enrolled in school or vocational training
- Actively seeking employment
- Living in temporary housing or experiencing homelessness
- Receiving services for domestic violence or substance abuse
- Child’s immigration status qualifies:
The child must be a U.S. citizen, national, or have satisfactory immigration status. Parents do not need to be U.S. citizens.
How to Apply for Childcare Vouchers
Apply for an ACS Childcare Voucher
- Online via MyCity: Create an account and submit your application online. This is the fastest and most recommended method.
- By Mail: Download the CFWB-012 application package and required forms from the ACS “Forms for Families” page. Mail to:
NYC Children – EDU
PO Box 40, Maplewood, NJ 07040 - Temporary Housing: Families in homeless or temporary housing should include the Housing Questionnaire (CFWB-027).
- Cash Assistance (HRA): Apply through ACCESS HRA online or visit your nearest HRA Benefits Access Center.
After You Apply – What’s Next?
- Voucher Approval: If eligible, you will receive a CFWB-049 voucher via email. You and your provider must sign it and submit it through the ACS Voucher Enrollment Portal to complete enrollment.
- Voucher Transfer: If you need to change providers, submit a transfer request through the ACS portal. A new voucher is typically issued within 5 business days.
How First Bloom Daycares Supports Your Voucher Journey
At First Bloom Daycares, we proudly accept both ACS and HRA vouchers. Many parents refer to them interchangeably, and our enrollment team is experienced in supporting families using either program.
- Guidance with eligibility checks
- Help with application forms and submission
- Assistance with voucher transfers and enrollment
- A welcoming environment with caring educators and an inclusive community
Need help with your application?
Schedule a 30-Minute MeetingNext Steps for Families
- Check your eligibility: Compare your income to the thresholds for your household size.
- Determine your reason for care: Employment, education, or actively seeking work.
- Start your application:
- If on Cash Assistance → Apply via HRA / ACCESS HRA
- Otherwise → Apply via MyCity (ACS) or by mail with the required forms
- Submit your voucher: Once approved, sign and submit your voucher through the ACS Voucher Enrollment Portal.
- Get support: Reach out to First Bloom Daycare—we’ll guide you through enrollment and voucher transfer.