First Bloom Daycare Voucher Assistance

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. Reddit+2Little Scholars NYC+2 Access NYC+2Access NYC+2

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. Cap4Kids+3Access NYC+3NYC Government+3
  • Full coverage of childcare costs in a available for families on cash assistance, experiencing homelessness, or foster parents. Other pay a portion of the cost based on income and family size. NYC Government+7Access NYC+7Access NYC+7 

HRA Child Care Vouchers

  • Managed through the Human Resources Administration (HRA), these vouchers are for families receiving Cash Assistance. NYC Government+7Cap4Kids+7InfoHub+7 
  • Many childcare providers refer to “ACS HRA vouchers,” but practically, ACS and HRA vouchers operate within the same system and are interchangeable. Reddit+2Little Scholars NYC+2

    As shared on Reddit by a parent:
   “HRA and ACS use the same system to administer childcare vouchers.”
   “If you accept one you accept both.” Office of Children and Family Services+12Reddit+12NYC Government+12

Who Qualifies for ACS or HRA Childcare Vouchers?

Families may be eligible if:

  1. Income falls below certain thresholds,
  2. You have an approved reason for care, such as:
    • Working 10+ hours/week
    • Enrolled in school or vocational training
    • Actively seeking employment
    • Living in temporary housing or experiencing homelessness
    • Receiving services or domestic violence or substance abuse Rise Up & Walk+7Access NYC+7InfoHub+7
  3. Child’s immigration status qualifies -the child must be a U.S. citizen, national,or have satisfactory immigration status. Parents need not be U.S citizens. MyCity+6Access NYC+6Cap4Kids+6

How to Apply for Childcare Vouchers

Apply for an Acs Childcare Voucher:

  • Online via MyCity: Create an account and submit your application online, preferred for speed and efficiency. Cap4Kids+6NYC Government+6NYC Government+6
  •  By mail: Download the CFWB-O12 application package and required supplemental forms from the ACS “Forms for Families: page. Mail them to:
  • NYC Children – EDU

PO Box 40, Maplewood, NJ 07040

Office of Children and Family Services+8NYC Government+8InfoHub+8

  • Families in homeless or temporary housing should include the Houseing Questionnaire (CFWB -027).  NYC Government+1
  • For families on Cash Assistance, applying via HRA is encouranged-either online through ACCESS HRA  or in person at your HRA Benefits Access Center. 

After Application – What’s Next:

  • Upon eligibility, you’ll receive a CFWB- 049 voucher via email. Both you and your provider sign it and submit it via the ACS Voucher Enrollment Portal to complete your child’s enrollment. Reddit+3NYC Government+3NYC Government+3
  •  Voucher transfer: If you need to change providers, submit a transfer request through the ACS portal– they’ll email a new voucher within 5 business days. NYC Government