See details for your state

U.S. Department of Defense

DoD Child Care Fee Assistance

BenefitChildcareRecurringRolling

What it may cover

Varies

Enrollment

Open enrollment

Where available

Check locally

What you get

The DoD Child Care Fee Assistance program subsidizes off-installation child care costs for active duty service members when space at on-base child development centers is unavailable. Subsidies reduce the cost of licensed civilian child care for dependent children from birth through age 12, with the level of assistance based on total family income. The program is administered by the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) under contract with DoD.

Help paying for child care, meals, or services so parents and caregivers can work, study, or stabilize care.

Ask whether your provider needs to be approved before benefits can be paid.

Do you qualify?

Check what applies to you. Your answers are saved on this device so you can come back later.

0/4 confirmed

Are you an active duty service member or eligible DoD civilian employee?
Do you have a dependent child between birth and 12 years of age requiring child care?
Do you have documented unavailability of on-base child care space?
Subsidy amount is determined by total family income within the eligible population?

What to bring

If you do not have one of these, apply anyway and ask what substitutes are accepted.

1Military ID card or DoD civilian employment documentation
2Documentation of on-base child care unavailability
3Child's birth certificate
4Proof of enrollment with a licensed child care provider

How to apply

Processing time varies by location and program funding.

1Find the right local officeUse your ZIP code to confirm the child care assistance office that handles DoD Child Care Fee Assistance.
2Apply online, by phone, or in personUse the official application path and keep a copy of anything you submit.
3Complete the interview or verificationMany benefits require a short call, appointment, or document check.
4Watch for a decisionKeep mail, email, and phone open so you do not miss follow-up requests.

Find local help

Your ZIP helps you confirm the right local office and state-specific rules.

You may also qualify for

Other programs in the same category that often go hand-in-hand.

U.S. Department of Education

CCAMPIS — Child Care Access Means Parents in School

Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Department of the Treasury

Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)

See details for your state

U.S. Department of Defense

DoD Child Care Fee Assistance

BenefitChildcareRecurringRolling

What it may cover

Varies

Enrollment

Open enrollment

Where available

Check locally

What you get

Help paying for child care, meals, or services so parents and caregivers can work, study, or stabilize care.

Ask whether your provider needs to be approved before benefits can be paid.

Do you qualify?

Check what applies to you. Your answers are saved on this device so you can come back later.

0/4 confirmed

Are you an active duty service member or eligible DoD civilian employee?
Do you have a dependent child between birth and 12 years of age requiring child care?
Do you have documented unavailability of on-base child care space?
Subsidy amount is determined by total family income within the eligible population?

What to bring

If you do not have one of these, apply anyway and ask what substitutes are accepted.

1Military ID card or DoD civilian employment documentation
2Documentation of on-base child care unavailability
3Child's birth certificate
4Proof of enrollment with a licensed child care provider

How to apply

Processing time varies by location and program funding.

1Find the right local officeUse your ZIP code to confirm the child care assistance office that handles DoD Child Care Fee Assistance.
2Apply online, by phone, or in personUse the official application path and keep a copy of anything you submit.
3Complete the interview or verificationMany benefits require a short call, appointment, or document check.
4Watch for a decisionKeep mail, email, and phone open so you do not miss follow-up requests.

Find local help

Your ZIP helps you confirm the right local office and state-specific rules.

You may also qualify for

Other programs in the same category that often go hand-in-hand.

U.S. Department of Education

CCAMPIS — Child Care Access Means Parents in School

Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Department of the Treasury

Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)