The Child Care Subsidy assists families who may not be able to afford to pay for their child to attend a licensed child care centre, family day home or school-aged program.
The amount of subsidy is based on an income test on the combined net income of your family. It takes into account family size, income and the community in which you live.
Eligibility
You can apply for the subsidy if one or more of the following situations apply:
- You have a full- or part-time job;
- You are looking for a job;
- You are attending school or a training program full- or part-time;
- You are receiving medical treatment;
- You or your child have a special need based on a professional assessment;
- You need to meet a short-term family crisis; or
- You are a grandparent, and are the primary care provider of your grandchild. (Note: You do not need to have legal custody, but rather be the primary adult providing care for the grandchild.)
Apply for the child care subsidy
- Complete the child care subsidy application.
You can also pick up an application at the Child Care Services office at 9010 Quartz Road in Whitehorse, social services offices in Yukon communities, your child care centre or your family day home. - Make sure you have the required supporting forms and documentation.
- Submit your completed application and supporting forms and documents.
In person: Child Care Services office at 9010 Quartz Road in Whitehorse or social services offices in Yukon communities. We require original signatures so we can't accept scanned or emailed applications.
Next steps
- Your application will be reviewed to determine if you qualify.
- You will receive a letter informing you of the decision.
- If you are approved, this letter will identify the number of months you are approved for and the amount we will pay on your behalf.
- Your child care program will require you to sign a Child Care User Subsidy Eligibility form every month. They will submit the signed form on your behalf along with their billing form. Payment is made directly to the child care provider.
When to re-apply for the child care subsidy
Your current subsidy is expiring
- We will mail you a notification letter about 6 weeks before your subsidy expires.
- Submit a new child care subsidy application and all required documentation.
In person: Child Care Services office at 9010 Quartz Road in Whitehorse or social services offices in Yukon communities.
Note: Re-apply before the deadline or you could be responsible for child care fees if your application is late.
Your marital status, number of children, job, income or reason for needing child care has changed
- Complete an eligibility form indicating the change or contact us by emailing childcare@gov.yk.ca or phone: 867-667-3492 or toll free in Yukon: 1-800-661-0408, ext. 3492.
- Submit a new child care subsidy application and all required documentation.
In person: Child Care Services office at 9010 Quartz Road in Whitehorse or social services offices in Yukon communities.
Supporting forms and documentation
Use the following applicable forms and documentation when you apply for a child care subsidy or update your information to reflect your current status.
Working
- Two most recent pay slips.
- Verification of Income by Employer form (if you just started work and do not yet have 2 pay slips).
- Confirmation of amount of financial aid from Income Support or Social Assistance.
Self-employed
- Self-Employed Financial Information form.
- Revenue Canada “Notice of Assessment” for previous year.
Looking for work
- Employment Insurance (EI) benefit statement.
- Job Search Record form.
- Confirmation of amount of financial aid from Income Support or Social Assistance.
Obtaining education (school, college and training)
- Verification of enrollment and course schedule from learning institute.
- Verification of training allowance.
- Confirmation of amount of financial aid from Income Support or Social Assistance.
Special circumstances (respite care, health professional recommendation, etc.)
- Special Needs application form.
- Individual Program Plan (IPP). This is most often provided by the Child Development Centre or Department of Education.
Marital status
Other
- Provide supporting documents on maintenance or child support and other income such as insurance or pension.
- Child care subsidy consent to release or exchange information
Child care subsidy rates
Maximum subsidy rates are based on the child's age, hours in care and special needs. They are established on the basis of a child needing part-time or full-time care. The anticipated number of child care hours will provide the basis for setting the level of subsidy available.
| Category | Age of child | Monthly hours in care | Maximum subsidy |
| Infant | 0 to 18 months* | 100+ hours | $688 |
| Toddler | 19 to 36 months | 100+ hours | $622 |
| Pre-school (including half-time kindergarten) | 37 to 59 months (or 71 months if half-day kindergarten) |
100+ hours | $578 |
| Special needs (infant, toddler and pre-school)** |
0 to 59 months (or 71 months if half-day kindergarten) |
100+ hours | $688 |
| Kindergarten (full day) |
60+ months | Less than 80 hours | $330 |
| Kindergarten (summer months) | 60+ months | 100+ hours | $578 |
| School age | 72+ months | Less than 80 hours | $303 |
| School age (summer months) | 72+ months | 100+ hours | $550 |
Definitions
Child: 12 years and under and special needs children 16 years and under
Part-time care: Attendance is less than 100 hours a month
Full-time care: Attendance is 100 hours or more a month.
*0-18 months children: The maximum rate payable for a child under 18 months will be paid up to and including the month when the child becomes 18 months old. The new subsidy rate for a toddler will begin the following month.
**Special needs children: Children aged 16 years and under are eligible for a maximum monthly subsidy of $688 while attending over 100 hours of child care a month; $517 while attending 80 to 100 hours a month and $347 while attending less than 80 hours a month.
Adjustments for holidays: If a school age or full-time kindergarten child attends a child care program for over 100 hours a month the subsidy will be paid at the full-time rate.
For questions about applying for the child care subsidy email childcare@gov.yk.ca or phone: 867-667-3492 or toll free in Yukon: 1-800-661-0408, ext. 3492.