Child Care Payment Assistance

Child Care Payment Assistance helps eligible families pay for child care so parents/guardians can work, attend school, or participate in approved training programs.

This assistance is provided through the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) and includes several programs for families meeting income guideline criteria and based upon their situation.

Who Can Get Child Care Payment Assistance?

Smart Steps (Parents/Guardians working or in school)

  • Children ages 6 weeks through kindergarten
  • Average 30 or more hours per week of work and/or post-secondary undergraduate education program; graduate programs may count up to 6 hours toward the weekly requirement
  • Household income at or below 85% of the State Median Income
  • A parent co-pay is required based on income

Teen Parent Child Care

  • For teen parents, ages 13-19, enrolled in middle or high school
  • A parent co-pay may be required based on income

At-Risk Child Only Child Care

  • For relatives caring for a child in a Families First case
  • Guardian must work or attend school 30 or more hours per week
  • A parent co-pay is required

Transitional Child Care

  • Available for up to 18 months after Families First benefits end
  • Parent(s) must work 30 or more hours per week
  • A parent co-pay is required

Referral Based Child Care
Parents who receive help from other programs, such as TDHS Family Assistance, the Department of Children’s Services, or the SNAP Employment & Training program, may qualify for referral-based child care assistance. For more information visit our Child Care Certificate Program web page. 

How to Apply for Child Assistance?

  1. Create or log in to your One DHS Customer Portal account
  2. Complete the Child Care Payment Assistance application
  3. Upload required documents (income, work or school verification, identification, etc.)
  4. Submit your application and monitor your case status in the portal
  5. Your application will be processed in the order it is received, whether online or on paper.
    1. Applications cannot be reviewed until all required documents are submitted.
    2. If more documents are needed, you will receive an email with instructions.
    3. Not submitting documents correctly and/or on time may result in denial of your application, and you may need to reapply.
  6. You may submit a paper application at the links below and then fax, mail, or bring it to your local TDHS office.

Helpful Links

●       Knowledge Article: How to Apply for Child Care Assistance

●       Knowledge Article: How to Upload Documents in the One DHS Portal

What documents will I need?

Most families will need to provide:

  • Proof of income
  • Proof of residency 
  • Proof of work, school, or training
  • Identification
  • Child information

Uploading all required documents helps avoid delays.

Helpful Links

Program Requirements & Ongoing Responsibilities

If you receive Child Care Payment Assistance, you are responsible for following program rules throughout your eligibility period.

Your Responsibilities Include:

  • Meeting work and/or education requirements
  • Paying your assigned parent co-pay
  • Reporting changes within 10 days, including:
    • Income changes
    • Job or school changes
    • Household changes
  • Completing your renewal on time
  • Responding to requests for information or documents

Failure to meet program requirements may result in the termination of your benefits.

Renewals: Keeping Your Benefits Active

Your child care benefits must be renewed every 12 months to remain eligible. You will receive reminder notifications when it is time to renew. Renewals are completed through your One DHS Customer Portal account.

To renew your benefits:

  • Log in to your existing One DHS Customer Portal account
  • Go to My Benefits on your dashboard
  • Select the Renew button

I Can’t See the Renew Button. What Should I Do?

If you do not see the Renew button, your child’s enrollment may not be linked to your portal account.

To fix this:

  1. Log in to your existing One DHS Customer Portal account
  2. Go to My Dashboard
  3. Select Link Enrollment
  4. Complete the one-time identity verification process

Do not create a new portal account. Creating a new account may delay your renewal.

What is the 90-Day Compliance Period?

If you are not meeting the work and/or education requirements at the time of Renewal, your case may be placed in a 90-day compliance period.

During the 90-Day Compliance Period:

  • You may continue receiving benefits temporarily
  • You must provide the required work or school verification by your compliance due date
  • You will receive reminder emails before the compliance period ends

If you do not become compliant by the deadline, your child care benefits will be terminated.

Helpful Links

Cost and Parent Co-Pays

Some families are required to pay weekly parent-copays based on income and household size. Your co-pay amount will be shared after eligibility is approved. It’s important that you pay the amount you owe and don’t miss payments. Your child care provider may terminate your child from their program if you don’t pay the amount you owe.

Please review the information at the copay chart link to learn how parent co-pays are calculated and about cost differences/overages.

For more information about state reimbursement rates paid directly to child care providers view the Child Care Certificate Program Provider Weekly Reimbursement Rates Including QRIS Scorecard Bonus Payments chart. Effective January 1, 2026.

How Do I Find a Child Care Provider?

You can search for child care providers using Find Child Care.

  • Search by address, provider name, or county
  • To find providers who accept child care payment assistance, select the “Accepts Child Care Assistance Program” filter

This tool helps you compare providers and find one that meets your family’s needs.

How Do I Change or Transfer Child Care Providers?

You can request a child care provider change through your One DHS Customer Portal.

  1. Log in to your One DHS Customer Portal account.
  2. Select Benefits Dashboard from the top menu.
  3. Scroll to the My Cases section.
  4. Choose Change Provider and complete the request form.

Helpful links:

Need Help?

Call the One DHS Contact Center: 1-833-772-TDHS (8347) or visit the DHS Service Portal to complete the One DHS General Inquiry Webform.

Customer Survey

Please take a moment to fill out our Child Care Customer Service Survey to let us know about your experience applying for child care payment assistance.