Texas TWC Childcare Subsidies for Kinship Caregivers

Childcare costs in Texas can run $800 to $1,200 a month for a single child, and that number is devastating when you are a grandparent or relative who suddenly took on a child you were not planning to raise. The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) runs subsidized childcare through local Workforce Solutions boards, and kinship caregivers can qualify — but the process is separate from HHSC benefits and has its own rules.

Who Qualifies for TWC Childcare Assistance

TWC's Child Care Services (CCS) program subsidizes childcare for families who need it to work, attend job training, or participate in education programs. To qualify as a kinship caregiver, you generally need to show:

• You are working, in training, or in school. The usual minimum activity requirement is 25 hours per week for a single-parent household or 50 combined hours for a two-parent household; a local board may set a higher requirement. Employed caregivers need pay stubs or an employer verification letter. Training participants need enrollment documentation from their program.
• Household income is within limits. Household income generally must not exceed 85% of State Median Income (SMI) for a family of the same size. Your local Workforce Solutions board can confirm the current threshold for your household size.
• The child is under age 13 (or under age 19 if the child has a documented disability).

Retired grandparents who are not currently working face a harder path under the general work or training requirement. If you are receiving TANF and participating in the Choices employment program, childcare assistance may be available as part of that participation. Part-time work can count toward the activity requirement, but the household still has to meet the required weekly hours.

DFPS-Authorized Childcare for Kinship Placements

If DFPS places a child with a kinship caregiver, childcare can be provided through a separate DFPS-authorized pathway without the general caregiver work or income restrictions, subject to state funding availability. Ask your caseworker and local Workforce Solutions board whether DFPS has authorized care for the child.

Local boards may maintain waiting lists when funding is limited. Ask whether a waiting list applies to your case and what documents the board needs.

How to Apply

Childcare subsidies are managed locally, not through a single statewide portal. The steps:

1. Find your local Workforce Solutions board. Texas has 28 boards covering different regions. Call 2-1-1 or visit the TWC website to locate yours.
2. Gather your documents: proof of employment or training, income verification, the child's birth certificate and Social Security number, and any DFPS placement documentation if applicable.
3. Complete the application through your local board — most accept applications in person, by phone, or online through their regional portal.
4. Choose an eligible provider. Once approved, select a provider approved for Child Care Services. A relative caregiver who provides the care must be listed as a family home with HHSC Child Care Regulation. The local board pays the provider; you may owe a parent share (co-payment) based on your income.

What the Subsidy Covers

TWC pays the childcare provider directly at rates set by each local board. The subsidy can cover full-time or part-time care, before-and-after-school programs, and summer care. Your co-payment — the amount you pay out of pocket — is calculated on a sliding scale based on household income. For very low-income families, the co-payment can be as little as $0.

Combining TWC Childcare With Other Benefits

TWC childcare assistance is separate from and compatible with Child-Only TANF, SNAP, and Medicaid. Receiving TANF does not disqualify you from childcare subsidies — in fact, TANF participation can create a direct pathway to childcare assistance through the Choices program.

The Texas Kinship Financial Help guide maps out how each of these programs fits together, which agencies handle which applications, and what documents you need for each. It includes an agency communication log so you can track your TWC application alongside your HHSC and DFPS paperwork in one place.

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