Program Supports

CCAP Updates

Gov. Pritzker announced new investments that will enhance the state’s early childhood system in the following ways:

• Extending and expanding the Strengthen and Grow Child Care (SGCC) grant program through July 2023. These grants provide funding for eligible child care centers and homes.
• Extending Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) eligibility for job seekers (Initial Activity Search) through June 2023.
• Reclassifying some eligibility non-exempt income to exempt income. This will enable more families to access CCAP benefits and make Illinois a leader in this area.

Changes to CCAP income types for the purposes of eligibility will go into effect on December 1, 2022. Effective December 1, 2022, the following income types will be considered exempt for the purposes of CCAP eligibility determination:

• Public assistance and welfare payments (TANF)
• Alimony
• Child support received by the family.
• Ongoing monthly adoption assistance payments from DCFS.
• Social security payments for all family members, including SSI and pensions.
• Survivor’s benefits, permanent disability payments, and railroad retirement benefits from the federal government.
• Income from family members that do not meet the definition of family in CCAP Policy Manual Section 01.01.02.
• Cash/gifts and wages provided to individuals enrolled in research projects that are not funded via general revenue and that investigate the impacts of policies or programs designed to reduce poverty.

Parents and Providers can get more information here.

Initial Activity Search (IAS):

Effective October 1, 2021, through June 30, 2023, parents who are unemployed and engaged in a job search or attempting to enroll in an education/training activity are eligible for three months of Child Care Assistance, provided they meet all other CCAP eligibility requirements. If parents become employed or enroll in an educational activity before the end of the 3 months and meet all other CCAP eligibility requirements, their eligibility will continue for the remaining 9 months of the initial 12-month eligibility period.  Parents need to submit documentation showing they are working or enrolled in school to extend their initial 3-month eligibility period.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who can apply for Initial Activity Search?
   1. Initial Activity Search can be requested for one, both parents and guardians.
      1. Download and print a paper application here.
      2. Usted puede descargar e imprimir una solicitud en papel aquí. 
2. What supporting documentation is needed to be eligible for Initial Activity Search?
   1. No supporting documentation is needed.
      1. Clients need to write on the application that they are looking for work or preparing to enroll in school.
3. What is a client’s eligibility for Initial Activity Search?
   1. Parents are eligible for 5 days a week.
      1. Non-School aged children who are not enrolled in school: 5 Full-Time days.
      2. School-Aged Child: 5 Part-time days from September through May. Full Time during the summer months.
4. How many times can this activity search be granted in a rolling calendar?
   1. Parents are eligible for one Initial Activity Search during a 12-month period.
5. Does the parent need to report an activity after being approved for Initial Activity Search?
   1. Yes, Parents must report an activity after being approved for Initial Activity Search to continue for the remaining 9 months of the initial 12-month eligibility period.
6. Will Initial Activity Search be extended to 12 months automatically?
   1. Parents must report an activity after the initial 3-month approval to be eligible for the remaining 9 months of the initial 12-month eligibility period.

Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP): Initial Activity Search (IAS)

Child Care Restoration Grant Round 4 and 2022 Stabilization Grants:

Round 4 of the Child Care Restoration Grant will open through INCCRRA on October 18^th and the Childcare Stabilization Grants will continue into 2022. The continuation of the Child Care Restoration Grants is designed to help sustain childcare as the economy continues to reopen.

Providers can get more information at https://www.ilgateways.com/financial-opportunities/restoration-grants

Create a Better Future for Your Family with CCAP