Source: National Women's Law Center, State Child Care Assistance Policies 2010: New Federal Funds Help States Weather the Storm, http://www.nwlc.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/statechildcareassistancepoliciesreport2010.pdf

Notes:

Alabama: In 2001, families already receiving assistance could continue doing so until their income reached $27,756. In 2009, the exit eligibility limit was $25,752 and in 2010, it was $27,468.

Alaska: The Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) payment, which the majority of families in the state receive, is not counted when determining eligibility.

Arkansas: The income limits shown in the table take into account a $100-per-month deduction ($1,200 a year) that is allowed for an adult household member who works at least 30 hours per week. It is assumed there is one working parent. The stated income limits, in policy, were $22,323 in 2001 and $27,145 in 2009 and 2010.

California: Under policies in effect in 2001, families who had been receiving assistance as of January 1, 1998 could continue doing so until their income reached $46,800 since they were subject to higher income guidelines previously in effect. Also note that two pilot counties (San Mateo and San Francisco) allowed families already receiving assistance to continue to receive it up to an income of $54,096 in 2009 and 2010.

Colorado: Counties set their income limits within state guidelines. Also note that counties may allow families already receiving assistance to continue doing so after their income exceeds the county's initial income eligibility limit for up to six months, if their income remains below 85 percent of the state median income ($50,484 in 2009 and $54,108 in 2010).

Connecticut: In 2009, families already receiving assistance could continue doing so until their income reached $59,107. In 2010, the state did not have a separate exit eligibility limit.

District of Columbia: In 2001, families already receiving assistance could continue doing so until their income reached $41,640. In 2009, the exit eligibility limit was $48,270, and in 2010, it was $51,101.

Florida: In 2009 and 2010, families already receiving assistance could continue doing so until their income reached $36,620.

Hawaii: In 2001, the state allowed a 20 percent deduction of all countable income in determining eligibility, which is taken into account in the figure shown here. The stated income limit, in policy, was $36,828. The state no longer used the deduction in 2009 or 2010.

Illinois: In 2001, the state allowed a 10 percent earned income deduction in determining eligibility, which is taken into account in the figure shown here. The stated income limit, in policy, was $21,819. The state no longer used the deduction in 2009 or 2010.

Indiana: In 2009, families already receiving assistance could continue doing so until their income reached $29,916. In 2010, the exit eligibility limit was $31,128.

Iowa: For special needs care, the income limit was $35,200 in 2009 and $36,620 in 2010. Also note that in some areas of the state a separate ARRA-funded scholarship program helps families with incomes between $26,556 and $33,874 pay for infant and toddler care offered by providers that are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) or the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) or that have a rating of a level three or higher under the state's child care quality rating and improvement system. The scholarship program began in July 2009 and will end in June 2011 or earlier if the amount of funding available is expended.

Kentucky: In 2009, families already receiving assistance could continue doing so until their income reached $29,040. In 2010, the exit eligibility limit was $30,216.

Louisiana: Data on the state's policies as of 2001 are not available, so data on policies as of March 15, 2000 are used instead

Maine: In 2009, families already receiving assistance could continue doing so until their income reached $45,340. In 2010, there was no separate exit eligibility limit.

Massachusetts: In 2001, families already receiving assistance could continue doing so until their income reached $49,248. In 2009, the exit eligibility limit was $63,794 and in 2010, it was $64,103. Also note that, for special needs care, the income limit to qualify for assistance was $63,794 in 2009 and $64,103 in 2010, and the exit eligibility limit was $75,052 in 2009 and $78,415 in 2010.

Minnesota: In 2009, families already receiving assistance could continue doing so until their income reached $45,855. In 2010, the exit eligibility limit was $49,963.

Missouri: In 2009, families already receiving assistance could continue doing so until their income reached $24,756. In 2010, the exit eligibility limit was $25,740.

New Jersey: In 2001, families already receiving assistance could continue doing so until their income reached $36,575. In 2009, the exit eligibility limit was $44,000 and in 2010, it was $45,776.

New Mexico: For a period of time following August 1, 2001, the state lowered its income limit for non-TANF families to 100 percent of poverty. Parents whose child care cases were open prior to August 1, 2001 were not subject to this new income limit.

New York: A few small demonstration projects set the income limit at $44,880 in 2009 and $46,691 in 2010. Also note that data on the state's policies as of 2001 are not available, so data on policies as of March 15, 2000 are used instead.

Ohio: In 2010, families already receiving assistance could continue doing so until their income reached $36,624. The state did not have a separate exit eligibility limit in 2001 or 2009.

Oklahoma: The income limit depends on how many children are in care. The income limits shown in the table assume that the family had two children in subsidized care. The income limit for a family of three with only one child in subsidized care was $29,100 in 2009 and 2010.

Pennslyvania: In 2001, families already receiving assistance could continue doing so until their income reached $34,381. In 2009, the exit eligibility limit was $41,360 and in 2010, it was $43,029.

South Carolina: In 2001, families already receiving assistance could continue doing so until their income reached $24,763. In 2009, the exit eligibility limit was $30,800 and in 2010, it was $32,043.

South Dakota: The income limits shown in the table take into account that the state disregards 4 percent of earned income in determining eligibility. The stated income limits, in policy, were $21,913 in 2001, $35,208 in 2009, and $36,624 in 2010.

Tennessee: The state has a separate ARRA-funded child care scholarship program that provides assistance to low-income, working parents who have incomes up to $43,968, who are not receiving child care benefits through any other state program, and who are referred to the program by their child care provider. The scholarship program began April 1, 2009 and will end September 30, 2010; the state has not been accepting new children into the program since April 1, 2010.

Texas: Local workforce development boards set their own income limits within state guidelines. Some local boards allow families an extended year of child care assistance up to a higher income than the initial eligibility limit; however, this exit eligibility limit cannot exceed 85 percent of state median income. As of October 2010, the maximum income at which local boards can set their eligibility limits will increase to $46,658 to adjust for the 2011 state median income estimate.

Utah: The income limits shown in the table take into account a monthly standard deduction of $100 ($1,200 a year) for each working parent, assuming there is one working parent in the family. The stated income limits, in policy, were $25,848 in 2001, $29,911 in 2009, and $30,792 in 2010. The state allows a deduction of $100 per month for the household for medical expenses as well. Also note that in 2009, families already receiving assistance could remain eligible up to a stated income limit of $37,388. In 2010, the exit eligibility limit was $38,496. The income limit to qualify for special needs care was $45,396 in 2009 and $46,740 in 2010.

Virginia: The state has different income limits for different regions of the state. In 2001, the state had three separate regional income limits, which for a family of three were: $21,948, $23,400, and $27,060. In 2009, the state had four separate regional income limits: $26,400, $28,164,$32,568, and $44,000. In 2010, the state also had four separate regional income limits: $27,468, $29,304, $33,876, and $45,780.

West Virginia: In 2009, families already receiving assistance could continue doing so until their income reached $32,556. In 2010, the exit eligibility limit was $33,876.

Wisconsin: In 2001, families already receiving assistance could continue doing so until their income reached $29,256. In 2009 and 2010, the exit eligibility limit was $36,624.

Wyoming: The income limits shown in the table for 2009 and 2010 take into account a standard deduction of $200 per month ($2,400 a year)for each working parent, assuming there is one working parent in the family. The stated income limits, in policy, were $32,568 in 2009 and $45,775 in 2010. Also note that, in 2001, families already receiving assistance could continue doing so until their income reached $27,060. In 2009, the stated exit eligibility limit was $35,200. The state did not have a separate exit eligibility limit in 2010. As of July 1, 2010, the stated income limit to qualify for assistance was decreased to $41,198 (225 percent of poverty).