families with low incomes may be able to get help paying for family, friend and neighbor child care

In Minnesota, parents with low incomes may apply for help paying for child care for children up to age 13 and for 13- and 14-year-old children with special needs. Child care costs may be paid for families while they go to work, look for work or attend school. Families may be required to pay part of the child care costs.

Families must apply for assistance in the county where they live.  The organization to contact may be called Human Services, or Social Services, or Family Services in different counties. 

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Families tell the county service agency which person or child care center they want to use.  Families can get help paying for child care even if they choose a relative, friend or neighbor to take care of their children. 

The county will send registration forms to the person who will take care of the children.  That person is called the provider. The provider must have a Social Security or a tax number.  The country will check to be sure the provider does not have a criminal record.

Once registration is complete, the provider is called a "legally nonlicensed provider." There are training requirements for these providers.

For more information, call 1-888-291-9811.

Bridge to Benefits
Bridge to Benefits is a multi-state project by Children’s Defense Fund to improve the well-being of families and individuals by linking them to public work support programs and tax credits. You can use it to see if you or someone else may be eligible for public work support programs.