Afford Child Care
It is now reported that the average annual cost of high-quality child care exceeds that of state college.
Allegheny County families may be eligible for reduced child care rates at local high-quality early learning programs. Depending on your household income, there are supports available.
Apply for Subsidy
To apply for subsidized child care, please complete and submit the Pennsylvania Application for Subsidized Child Care (PDF) to ELRC Region 5 or apply online via the COMPASS website. Please note that you must download the PDF before filling it out electronically.
Before you submit your application, please double-check that you have answered all questions and signed and dated the “Affidavit” on page seven of the application. Applications may be submitted by email, mail, hand-delivered to the address below, or sent via fax to 412.350.3575.
ELRC Region 5
304 Wood Street, STE 400
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-1928
For additional questions on how to fill-out and submit this application, please contact ELRC Region 5 at 412.350.3577 or email us at elrc5@alleghenycounty.us.
Once you have completed the initial application process, you will be connected to a Family Specialist for the ongoing management of your child care subsidy. You can easily access fillable PDF forms that might be necessary to manage your child care subsidy. Please only fill out forms required by your Family Specialist.
Eligibility for Subsidy
Family or household must meet 200% of federal poverty guidelines.
Families of children age 13 or younger may receive assistance to pay for their child to attend a child care program based on a family’s or household’s school or work schedule.
A co-pay is required based on family size and annual gross income.
Redetermination
If your family currently receives child care subsidy, your redetermination of these benefits is due annually. This form will be sent in the mail to the address on file.
All pages must be completed. Families must provide current employment and income information and update any information that has changed, including address, school, or people in the household.
Failure to turn in a complete redetermination on time can result in the termination of funding.
ELRC Region 5 provides fillable PDF forms for families. Completed redetermination forms can be mailed back to ELRC Region or submitted via the COMPASS website. Contact your Family Specialist for support.
State-Funded Early Learning Programs
Family or household must meet 100% of federal poverty guidelines.
Serves children birth to age two in home-based or center-based programs.
Most programs do not provide full-time care.
Family or household must meet 100% of federal poverty guidelines.
Provides school-day or school-year programs for children ages three and four.
May give preference to 4-year-olds.
Family or household must meet 300% of federal poverty guidelines.
Provides school-day or school-year programs for children ages three and four.
May give preference to 4-year-olds.
To determine eligibility or for questions, please contact ELRC Region 5 at 412.350.3577 or email us at elrc5@alleghenycounty.us.
Wrap-Around Care
Subsidized child care is also available for children before and after school. In Allegheny County, the standard school day hours are from 8 a.m.–3 p.m. School-aged children are not eligible for child care during school hours.
For more information, please contact ELRC Region 5 at 412.350.3577 or email us at elrc5@alleghenycounty.us.
