Archive · 6 Sep 2026
Trump Administration Considers Child-Care Subsidies for Stay-at-Home Parents
The government is considering a new way to use child-care money.
Some married families might receive help even when one parent stays home to care for their child.
The other parent would have to work at least 35 hours each week.
The family would also have to meet income limits.
The stay-at-home parent could receive support for caring for the couple’s own child.
This would be different from the current program, which mainly helps working or low-income parents pay for outside child care.
The program provides about $9,000 per child each year, according to the report.
Unmarried couples with a stay-at-home parent would not qualify under the proposal.
The Trump administration is reportedly considering expanding federal child-care subsidies to some married families with a stay-at-home parent.
The proposed “parent-based child care” category would allow one married parent to receive assistance for caring for their own child.
Eligibility would require the other spouse to work at least 35 hours per week and the family to meet income limits.
Families would generally need household income below 85% of their state’s median income, though some states use a 60% threshold.
The proposal would exclude unmarried couples and broaden the traditional purpose of the Child Care and Development Fund.
- Who
- The Trump administration, backed by Vice President JD Vance, is considering the change for certain married families.
- What
- A proposed rule would expand Child Care and Development Fund subsidies to some families with a stay-at-home parent.
- When
- The proposal is reportedly being prepared; the articles do not provide a specific implementation date.
- Where
- The proposal concerns the United States federal child-care subsidy system.
- Why
- It would help offset some income lost when one parent stays home to care for the family’s child.
- Program
- Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)
- Proposed category
- “Parent-based child care”
- Working-parent requirement
- The other spouse must work at least 35 hours per week.
- Income limit
- Generally below 85% of the state’s median income; some states use a 60% threshold.
- Estimated benefit
- About $9,000 per child annually, according to the report.
- Marital-status requirement
- The proposal applies to married couples; unmarried couples would not qualify.
- Administration
- The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.