Minnesota CCAP for Kinship Caregivers: Child Care Assistance When You're Raising a Relative's Child

Two Paths to Childcare Help

Minnesota's Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) subsidizes childcare for low-income families, and kinship caregivers are eligible. But unlike the MFIP child-only grant — where your income is excluded — CCAP does look at your earnings. The good news: the income thresholds are designed for families with children, so they're higher than you might expect.

There are two CCAP tracks, and which one applies depends on your benefits situation.

MFIP Child Care

If you're receiving MFIP child-only cash assistance and you're working, searching for work, or attending an approved education program, you can access MFIP Child Care. This track is available to non-needy relative caregivers who have an active child-only case.

MFIP Child Care doesn't have a separate waiting list — it's tied to your MFIP status and your activity (work, school, or job search). The county authorizes childcare directly and pays the provider.

Basic Sliding Fee (BSF)

If you're not on MFIP — perhaps the child's countable income leaves no MFIP payment, or you simply haven't applied — Basic Sliding Fee is the other path. BSF serves low-income working families based on a sliding-fee copayment scale.

Here's the catch: BSF is subject to county allocation limits. Some Minnesota counties have waiting lists, especially in the metro area. If you think you'll need childcare, apply as early as possible. Getting on the list now means you'll be closer to the front when slots open.

How Your Income Is Counted

For CCAP, the county looks at your gross income and household size to determine eligibility and your copayment amount. Unlike the MFIP child-only grant, your wages, pension, and Social Security count here. The copayment is a sliding scale — lower income means a lower family share of the childcare cost.

The income limit is based on household size, and the copayment is calculated on a sliding scale so that families with children can qualify even with moderate earnings.

Provider Requirements

CCAP payments go directly to the childcare provider — not to you. Eligible providers include licensed childcare centers, licensed family childcare homes, and legal non-licensed providers who have completed required health, safety, and background study clearances.

If a trusted neighbor or family member watches the child, they may qualify as a legal non-licensed provider as long as they pass the background check and meet the state's basic safety requirements.

What Happens If You're Denied

A CCAP denial isn't the end of the road. Minnesota law gives you the right to appeal through a State Fair Hearing under Minn. Stat. § 256.045.

The timeline is strict:

• 10 days from the notice: File within this window to keep any existing childcare benefits running while the appeal is heard. You may owe repayment if the denial is upheld, but your childcare doesn't stop.
• 30 days from the notice: The standard deadline to request a hearing.
• 31–90 days: Late appeals are possible but require proof of good cause for the delay (hospitalization, acute illness).

At the hearing, you can present documents, bring witnesses, and review your full case file. Free legal representation is available through Legal Aid for income-eligible caregivers.

How to Apply

Add CCAP to your MNbenefits application or file the Child Care Addendum (Form DHS-5223D) alongside your Combined Application Form. You'll need to document your work or school hours and provide information about your childcare provider.

Our Minnesota Kinship Financial Help Guide walks through both CCAP tracks, the copayment calculation, and what to do if you're placed on a waiting list — including how to access bridge funding while you wait.

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