NH Child Care Scholarship for Grandparents and Guardians

Childcare costs in New Hampshire can run $300+ per week for an infant at a licensed center. When you're a grandparent or relative who took on a child unexpectedly, that expense alone can exceed your monthly budget. The NH Child Care Scholarship Program (CCSP) reimburses qualified providers directly — but there's an activity requirement that trips up retired caregivers.

The Activity Requirement

To qualify for CCSP, the caregiver must be participating in work, job search, education, or training. Job search alone is authorized for up to 92 calendar days. This is the biggest hurdle for retired grandparents or disabled relatives who aren't working or in school. If you're fully retired and not engaged in any qualifying activity, you won't be eligible for the standard scholarship unless the child is in a protective DCYF placement.

Working grandparents, those attending school or job training, or caregivers in active job search all qualify. Part-time work counts.

Income Limits

Income eligibility is based on household size and uses the State Median Income (SMI) rather than the Federal Poverty Guidelines. For kinship cases, DHHS excludes a grandparent's income when three generations live in the household. It also excludes the income of a caretaker relative or legal guardian and the legal guardian's spouse unless the caregiver is also applying for child care for their own child.

The ceiling is 85% of SMI. For 2025-2026:

• 2-person household: $7,060/month ($84,724/year)
• 3-person household: $8,722/month ($104,660/year)
• 4-person household: $10,383/month ($124,595/year)

These are gross income caps. If your household exceeds 85% SMI, you're ineligible.

How Much You Pay

CCSP uses a three-step cost-share system:

Step 1 — Household income below 100% FPG: $0 per week. The state covers the full standard provider rate.

Step 2 — Income between 100% and 138% FPG: $5 per week flat family cost-share.

Step 3 — Income above 138% FPG up to 85% SMI: 7% of gross family income per week.

The state pays providers directly up to the maximum reimbursement rate for the child's age group and provider type. For example, the maximum weekly rate for an infant at a licensed center is $344.42; for a school-age child at a licensed family provider, it's $200. If your provider charges more than the state rate, they can choose whether to charge you the difference.

How to Apply

CCSP is included on BFA Form 800 — the same application used for FANF, SNAP, and Medicaid. Check the childcare box when filing. The income eligibility determination uses Form 2532 schedules.

Submit through nheasy.nh.gov, by mail, fax, phone (1-844-ASK-DHHS), or in person at a District Office. Processing takes up to 30 days. You'll need proof of your work or training activity and income documentation.

Provider Types

CCSP reimburses three categories of providers:

• Licensed child care centers: highest reimbursement rates
• Licensed family child care homes: mid-range rates
• License-exempt family providers: lower rates, but may include a trusted neighbor or relative

The provider must be enrolled in the CCSP system. If your current provider isn't enrolled, ask them to contact DHHS about enrollment — the process is straightforward.

What If You're Retired?

If you don't meet the activity requirement, other options may help with childcare costs. Head Start (free for income-eligible families) serves children ages 3-5. Local Family Resource Centers sometimes offer respite care or playgroups. And if the child is involved with DCYF, the agency provides separate childcare subsidies for protective placements.

The complete New Hampshire kinship financial help guide covers childcare alongside every other program available to relative caregivers — cash grants, food assistance, health coverage, and emergency funds.

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