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:
- Income falls below certain thresholds,
- 2-person household: ~$6,156/month ($73,870/year)
- 4-person household: ~$9,053/month ($108,632/year) NYC Government+10Access NYC+10Access NYC+10InfoHub
- 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
- 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
Summary: Voucher Eligibility & Process
| Voucher Type | Eligibility | How to Apply | Key Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACS Voucher | Eligible income, approved reason, child meets immigration criteria | MyCity online or ACS forms | Covers full cost for certain families |
| HRA Voucher | Must be receiving Cash Assistance | ACCESS HRA or HRA Job Center | Integrated with ACS system |
| Transfer Voucher | Families with existing voucher | ACS Voucher Portal | Switch providers easily |
Why First Bloom Daycares Supports Yur 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. Access NYC+4 NYC Government+4InfoHub+4NYC Government+1 Little Scholars NYC+6InfoHub+6NYC Government+6 Rise Up & Walk+3NYC Government+3 NYC Government+3 Rise Up & Walk Reddit+1
- We can guide you through eligibility checks, form completion, and submission steps.
- We help ensure voucher is successfully transferred and your child is enrolled promptly.
- You’ll find a welcoming, supporting environment with caring educators and an inclusive community.
Next Steps for Families
- Check your eligibility: Compare your income to the thresholds for your household size.
- Determine your reason for care: Employment, education, seeking work, etc.
- Start your application:
- If on Cash Assistance → go via HRA / ACCESS HRA
- Otherwise → apply via MyCity (ACS application) or by mail with the proper forms
- Submit your signed voucher once apprived, using the ACS Voucher Enrollment Portal.
- Reach our to First Bloom Daycares-we’ll support you through the final enrollment and transfer steps.