CCAP Information

CCAP payment policy update for January and February 2022

Due to the increase in COVID-19 cases in Illinois and its effect on child care providers and families, the State of Illinois implemented the following for CCAP services provided in January and February 2022:

• Licensed and license-exempt centers will be paid for all eligible days if the total number of days attended for all the children at the center are at least 50% of eligible days.
• Licensed child care homes may apply for a CCAP attendance exemption on days when CCAP enrollment is below 50% and/or for days a licensed home closed due to positive COVID-19 cases at the facility. This policy is already in effect for licensed centers.
  • The attendance exemption form and policy only refer to child care centers, licensed child care homes can apply using this form.
  • E-mail attendance exemption forms to ccap.policy@illinois.gov
  • If your attendance exemption is approved, submit the approved exemption form with your certificate.
• A reminder, providers can bill for full-time care for any days a child is out of school due to a school closure. Attach documentation to the certificate verifying the reason for the school closure.
  • This is permanent and applies to any month, not just January and February 2022. 

See below for the attendance exemption form and a memo from the State.
Attendance Exemption Request
Solicitud de Exención de Asistencia
Attendance Exemption and Days of Care Notice to Provider

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Copayment Information and Billing Instructions for March 2021 and Later

Effective March 2021, IDHS requires parents to pay the full copayment amount listed on the approval letter and March 2021 billing certificate. IDHS has ended the COVID-19 attendance exemption process as of 2/28/2021. Child care programs can still file a traditional attendance exemption with the State of Illinois. See the IDHS memo for additional information and for billing instructions.

Read the IDHS Memo here.

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Governor Pritzker Announces Reduced Co-Pays of $1.25 for Parents in Illinois' Child Care Assistance Program

Following the recent launch of a new initiative to direct additional funds to support child care providers in the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), Governor JB Pritzker today (December 30, 2020) announced parents in the program will pay a maximum of $1.25 in monthly co-pays. Support for eligible families includes paying for all eligible days of child care regardless of the child's attendance. These changes are effective for January and February. Read the release.

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Three Month Eligibility Extensions for Cases Ending 12/31/20, 1/31/21 and 2/28/21

The Illinois Department of Human Services is in the process of automatically extending eligibility for Child Care Assistance Program cases with eligibility periods ending on 12/31/20, 1/31/21, and 2/28/21. The auto-extension will provide qualifying cases with an additional three months of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Families whose eligibility periods end on these dates do not need to submit a redetermination to have their eligibility extended. If a family's eligibility ends on any date besides 12/31/20, 1/31/21, or 2/28/21 a family MUST submit their redetermination so we can determine the family's child care eligibility.

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School-Aged Children Who Need Full-Time Care During Remote Learning

Important Update on School-Aged Children in Remote Learning

CCAP will pay a full-time day for school age children in remote learning if the parent’s work/school schedule does not allow them to be home with their child and the child is in the provider’s care for five or more hours during that time.

Parents and child care providers can inform us of a need for full-time care in the following ways:

• Child care providers can change any part-time days on their child care certificates to full days, and write the reason for the change as "remote learning."
• Parents can call, e-mail, or text us and let us know they need full-time care for their school-aged children due to remote learning. If you e-mail or text us, please include your 15 digit Child Care Management System case number.

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July 2020 CCAP changes available

Effective July 1, the IDHS Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) is returning to normal policies and procedures with some modifications. This memo is being released to provide information on these changes. 

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IDHS Policy Updates effective July 1, 2020

IDHS will implement the following policy changes effective 7/1/2020:

• The 30% rate add-on for children of priority essential workers and essential workers will end on 6/30/2020.
• The COVID-19 attendance exemption for child care providers will end on 6/30/2020.
• $1.00 family co-payments will end on 6/30/2020. Families are responsible for paying their original co-payment amount effective 7/1/2020.
• IDHS will end auto-extensions of eligibility effective June 30th. Families whose eligibility ends July 1st or later must submit a redetermination to continue their child care eligibility.

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Accessing CCAP Services During Office Closures

Illinois Action for Children’s offices are closed until further notice. We are working closely with IDHS, INCCRRA, the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development, and the Illinois Child Care Resource & Referral network to make accommodations in the ways we provide CCAP services. Read below for information on accessing CCAP services.

We are accepting CCAP paperwork, and are prioritizing certificate entry, attendance exemption processing, and child care assistance for essential workers. 

The Illinois Action for Children CCAP Phone Appointment Scheduler is Here!

As we all find ways to adjust to our current environment, Illinois Action for Children is pleased to announce that our Family Resource team will now be able to provide you with assistance regarding CCAP in a scheduled phone consultation.

The CCAP phone appointments are available for parents and care and education providers. Appointments are scheduled in 30 minute increments from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Monday-Friday.

 Schedule a CCAP Appointment when:

• You need to submit your documentation and get a receipt via email;
• You’re just getting started with CCAP – we can help you with the application and provide you with support and guidance on the required paperwork; or
• You’d like a scheduled time – no waiting on hold!

The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Call Center is Open!

Fax Line Information:

• Our fax line (312.823.1200) is open.

Drop Box Information:

Drop boxes are a convenient and secure way for parents and providers to submit their paperwork (applications, forms, etc.) Drop boxes are out at all IAFC Walk-In locations.

Central / West Side - 1340 S Damen Ave., 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60608 [NOTE: Paperwork can also be mailed in to this address only.]
24 hours | 7 days a week

South Side / Chatham - 1111 E 87th St., Chicago, IL 60619
24 hours | 7 days a week

North Side / Uptown - 4753 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640
7 a.m. – 10 p.m. | Monday – Saturday

South Suburbs / Homewood - 17926 S Halsted St., Homewood, IL 60430
24 hours | 7 days a week