Child care assistance portal available in New York State

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Child care as low as $15 per week is available to families in need in New York, but not many are taking advantage of the state’s childcare assistance program.

Governor Kathy Hochul launched a new portal Friday aimed at helping address the child care crisis.

CCAP covers 90 percent of child care costs for families earning up to 85 percent of the state’s median income. That means a family of four earning $108,000 annually could only pay $15 dollars a week for childcare, but applying has become cumbersome.

“That’s why today I’m proud to launch the state’s childcare application portal,” Hochul said. “This new online platform allows families to check their eligibility, apply for assistance and find childcare providers to fit their needs without having to take the time and go through mountains of paperwork, as had been the case in the past.”

The portal is available now after a pilot program in New York City and Schenectady County. Click here for more information .

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.