Affordable Child Care Benefit

Last updated on March 15, 2024

The Affordable Child Care Benefit is a monthly payment to help eligible families with the cost of child care. Factors like income, family size, and type of care determine how much support families can get. Families need to renew their application every year.

September 2023 changes

Families can renew, apply for and track their application status for the Affordable Child Care Benefit using the My Family Services portal. Please check the status of your Affordable Child Care Benefit application using the portal before calling the child care service centre.

Families of preschool and school aged children in receipt of the benefit must provide the ministry with an updated monthly fee before September 2023 and are encouraged to do so as soon as possible to avoid payment interruptions. Children with benefit plans expiring before September 2023 can update their monthly fee by submitting a renewal application while those expiring after September can submit an updated Child Care Arrangement Form.

An online Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative Estimator is available to help parents and providers estimate monthly fees. The estimator is intended to be used as a guide only and is not a guarantee of payment.


The Affordable Child Care Benefit replaces the Child Care Subsidy as per the Child Care Subsidy Regulation

Application processing dates

We are currently processing applications submitted online through My Family Services up to March 13, 2024 and sent by mail or fax up to March 12, 2024. Processing times will increase significantly for applications submitted without all required supporting documents.