Before a family can receive child care assistance, they must complete an application and meet eligibility requirements. The application must be signed and dated by at least one parent, step-parent, legal guardian, eligible relative caregiver, relative custodian who accepted a transfer of permanent legal and physical custody (TPLPC), successor custodian or successor guardian, or foster parent who resides in the household. See Chapter 4.1 (Applicant requirements).

Do not require a new application for a family moving from one child care sub-program to another when there is no interruption in service. See Chapter 4.3 (CCAP Subprograms).

If more than one CCAP family is living in the same household, each family must apply separately.

Applying for CCAP

There are three ways a family can apply. The method the family uses depends on their situation and the program(s) they are applying for.

· The Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program Application DHS-3550 (PDF) can be completed when the family is applying for CCAP only.

The application is also available on eDocs in Hmong, Russian, Somali, Spanish and Vietnamese.

  DHS-3550-HMN (PDF) Hmong
  DHS-3550-RUS (PDF) Russian
  DHS-3550-SOM (PDF) Somali
  DHS-3550-SPA (PDF) Spanish
  DHS-3550-VIE (PDF) Vietnamese

· The Combined Application – Child Care Addendum DHS-5223D (PDF) can be completed when the family is applying for CCAP, cash and/or SNAP or if a Combined Application Form DHS-5223 was completed and approved within the past 90 days. See Chapter 3.9 (Combined Application – Child Care Addendum).

· MNbenefits (mnbenefits.mn.gov) is an online application that can be used when the family is applying for CCAP only or when the family is also applying for cash, SNAP or other programs. See Chapter 16.46 (Information about MNbenefits).

When a person contacts your agency

Your agency must have staff available during office hours to answer program questions and advise people. See Chapter 3.3 (Assistance Requests).

Advise people of the right to file an application, how and where to apply, and if necessary, assist the person with the application. Give or mail the person an application. See Chapter 3.3 (Assistance Requests) for the list of forms and information to include in the application packet.

Legal authority

Minnesota Statutes 119B.011, Subd. 2
Minnesota Statutes 119B.02, Subd. 4
Minnesota Statutes 119B.025, Subd. 1
Minnesota Rules 3400.0035