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.
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 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.
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:
- 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/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
- 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.
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.
- 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
- Families in homeless or temporary housing should include the Houseing Questionnaire (CFWB -027).
- 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.
- 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.
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 |
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.
- 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.
If you need Help with you application , schedule your 30 min meeting
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.