Summary
Westchester County is committed to ensuring our children have a safe place to learn and grow while parents work or attend school. However, due to a significant increase in the cost of care and a record number of families qualifying for help, our current funding is no longer enough to cover everyone who is eligible.
To manage this, Westchester County will begin a waitlist for child care assistance effective January 1, 2026
Westchester County is committed to ensuring our children have a safe place to learn and grow while parents work or attend school. However, due to a significant increase in the cost of care and a record number of families qualifying for help, our current funding is no longer enough to cover everyone who is eligible.
To manage this, Westchester County will begin a waitlist for child care assistance effective January 1, 2026
Our Priority: Protecting Families
Standard State rules usually require us to treat new applicants and current families the same when there is insufficient funding to serve all families. This could mean a family currently receiving help might lose access to the program during their yearly renewal.
We believe this is too disruptive. Therefore, Westchester County has requested and was granted a waiver pertaining to 18 NYCRR 415.2(d)(1)(i) from New York State. The waiver is conditional and only pertains to the order in which federally mandated priority populations must be opened.
Current Families at Renewal (Redetermination)
Families already receiving child care assistance who are experiencing homelessness, have children with special needs or have incomes up to 300% of the State Income Standard (as long as income does not exceed 85% of the State Median Income), and who are found eligible at renewal, will continue to receive child care assistance and will not be placed on the waitlist.
All other families found eligible at renewal will be placed on the waitlist instead of receiving a new authorization.
New Applicants
All new applications found eligible will be placed on the waitlist.
How the Waitlist Will Be Used
When funding becomes available, families will be taken from the waitlist in this order:
- Families in the three federal priority groups (homelessness, very low income, children with special needs), in the order of how long they have been on the waitlist;
- Families who meet state priority categories; and
- All other families, in the order their applications were received.
Important Rights and Process
All applications and renewals will still be reviewed on time, and families will receive written notices of approval, denial or placement on the waitlist. Families must be found eligible in order to be placed on the waitlist.
How You Can Help
We are doing everything possible to stretch our budget. One way you can help is by advising the agency immediately when care is no longer needed.
Next Steps for Families
It is still essential that you submit your applications and renewal paperwork on time. You must be found "eligible" to be placed on the waitlist or to keep your current spot under the circumstances described above. We will review regularly and notify families as soon as space becomes available.