Income Eligibility Cutoffs for a Family of Three 2007
State
 		 As Annual Dollar
Amount
 		 As Percent of Poverty
($17,170 a Year)
 		 As Percent of State
Median Income
 
 
The income eligibility limits shown in the table represent the maximum income families can have when they apply for child care assistance. Some states allow families, once receiving assistance, to continue receiving assistance up to a higher income level than that initial limit. These higher exit eligibility limits are reported below for states that have them. Changes in income limits were calculated using raw data, rather than the rounded numbers shown in the table.

Alabama: In 2001, families already receiving assistance could continue doing so until their annual income reached $27,756. In 2006 and 2007, the exit eligibility limit was $32,184.

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 an average of at least 32 hours per week per month at the equivalent of minimum wage or higher. It is assumed there is one working parent. The stated income limits, in policy, were $22,323 in 2001, $24,974 in 2006, and $34,524 in 2007.

California: Under policies in effect in 2001, families who had been receiving assistance as of January 1, 1998 could continue doing so until their annual income reached $46,800 since they were subject to higher income guidelines previously in effect. Also note that in 2006 and 2007, two pilot counties (San Mateo and San Francisco) allowed families already receiving assistance to continue to receive it up to an annual income of $51,876.

Colorado: Counties set their income limits within state guidelines. Also note that in 2007, counties could allow families already receiving assistance to continue doing so until their annual income reached $52,274. The state increased the maximum income at which a county could set its eligibility limit to qualify for assistance to $38,628 as of April 2007 to adjust for the 2007 federal poverty level.

Connecticut: In 2006, families already receiving assistance could continue doing so until their annual income reached $54,181. In 2007, the exit eligibility limit was $58,090.

District of Columbia: In 2001, families already receiving assistance could continue doing so until their annual income reached $41,640. In 2006 and 2007, the exit eligibility limit was $48,270.

Florida: In 2006 and 2007, families already receiving assistance could continue doing so until their annual income reached $33,200.

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 2006 or 2007.

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 2006 or 2007.

Indiana: In 2006, families already receiving assistance could continue doing so until their annual income reached $22,524. In 2007, the exit eligibility limit was $23,244.

Iowa: For special needs care, the income limit was $32,184 in 2006 and $33,200 in 2007.

Kentucky: In 2006, families already receiving assistance could continue doing so until their annual income reached $26,549. In 2007, the exit eligibility limit was $27,390. As of April 1, 2007, the income limit to qualify for assistance was increased to $25,764 to adjust for the 2007 federal poverty level.

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

Massachusetts: In 2001, families already receiving assistance could continue doing do until their annual income reached $49,248. In 2006, the exit eligibility limit was $39,864, and in 2007, it was $58,956.

Minnesota: In 2006, families already receiving assistance could continue doing so until their annual income reached $40,225. In 2007, the exit eligibility limit was $41,500.

Nebraska: For a family transitioning from TANF, the income limit was $29,772 in 2006 and $30,720 in 2007.

New Jersey: In 2001, families already receiving assistance could continue doing so until their annual income reached $36,575. In 2006, the exit eligibility limit was $40,225 and in 2007, it was $41,500.

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. Also note that in 2006, families already receiving assistance could continue doing so until their annual income reached $32,180. In 2007, the exit eligibility limit was $33,200.

New York: Data on the state’s policies as of 2001 were not available, so data on policies as of March 15, 2000 were used instead. Also note that New York City has a higher income limit than the rest of the state.

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. In 2006 and 2007, the income limit for a family of three with only one child in subsidized care was $23,400. Also note that in 2006 and 2007, a family of three with two children in care and an annual income of $35,100 would continue to be eligible for assistance if the family had been approved to receive child care assistance as of August 31, 2004 and was still eligible through August 31, 2005.

Pennsylvania: In 2001, families already receiving assistance could continue doing so until their annual income reached $34,381. In 2006, the exit eligibility limit was $37,812 and in 2007, it was $39,010.

Rhode Island: In March 2007, the income limit was increased to $38,633 to adjust for the 2007 federal poverty level.

South Carolina: In 2001, families already receiving assistance could continue doing so until their annual income reached $24,763. In 2006, the exit eligibility limit was $28,158 and in 2007, it was $29,050.

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, $32,184 in 2006, and $33,192 in 2007. Also note that the state increased its stated income limit to $34,344 as of March 1, 2007 to adjust for the 2007 federal poverty level.

Texas: Local boards set their own income limits within state guidelines. Some local boards allow families an extended year of child care assistance at a higher income than their initial eligibility limit; however, this exit eligibility limit cannot exceed 85 percent of state median income.

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, $29,184 in 2006, and $29,748 in 2007. The state also allows a deduction of $100 per month for the household for medical expenses.

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 2006, the state had four regional income limits: $24,135, $25,744, $29,767, and $40,225. In 2007, the state also had four separate regional income limits: $24,900, $26,568, $30,720, and $41,508.

Washington: The state increased its income limit to $34,344 as of April 1, 2007 to adjust for the 2007 federal poverty level.

West Virginia: In 2006 and 2007, families already receiving assistance could continue doing so until their annual income reached $29,772.

Wisconsin: In 2001, families already receiving assistance could continue doing so until their annual income reached $29,256. In 2006, the exit eligibility limit was $33,204 and in 2007, it was $34,340.

Wyoming: The income limits shown in the table for 2006 and 2007 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 $29,772 in 2006 and $30,720 in 2007. Also note that, in 2001, families already receiving assistance could continue doing so until their annual income reached $27,060. In 2006, the stated exit eligibility limit was $32,184 and in 2007, it was $33,204. The state increased its stated income limit to qualify for assistance to $31,776, with a new exit eligibility limit of $34,344, as of April 1, 2007 to adjust for the 2007 federal poverty level.

Data obtained from the National Women's Law Center. State Child Care Assistance Policies 2007: Some Steps Forward, More Progress Needed, September 2007.