Factsheet: Estimates of Child Care Subsidy Eligibility & Receipt for Fiscal Year 2021

Key Points:

• In 2021, 11.5 million children were eligible for child care subsidies under federal rules; under state rules – which can be more restrictive – 8.0 million were eligible.
• 1.8 million children received subsidies, representing 15 percent of those eligible under federal rules and 22 percent under state rules.
• Children in deeper poverty were more likely to receive subsidies than those who were less poor.
• Younger children (ages one through five) were more likely to receive subsidies than older, school-aged children.
• Black, non-Hispanic children who were federally eligible for subsidies were more likely to receive subsidies, compared to children of other races and ethnicities who were eligible.