OKDHS Child Care Subsidy is currently in an enrollment freeze.  This means only special populations will be eligible to receive or continue receiving child care at application or renewal.

Exceptions to the freeze/Special populations who continue to be eligible are children who are:

• Under the age of 9
• In TANF households
• In Foster Care
• Adopted through OKDHS or a federally recognized tribe;
• Homeless/unhoused; or
• Considered disabled

For the definition of unhoused/homeless, this means the family lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. Quest – Homeless

For children with disabilities, OAC 340:40-7-3.1 defines this as a child who receives SSI, a child determined disabled by Social Security Administration who is over income for SSI, or a child receiving special education services documented on an IEP. The child does not need to be approved for the special needs rate to be eligible for the freeze exemption.

What this means for staff when working cases:

When a client applies for child care, children 8 and under could be eligible if all other eligibility requirements are met by the household.

When a household applies for children age 9 and over, those children are not approved for child care unless they meet another special population exemption listed above.

Q: The announcement for the enrollment freeze updates specifically said “Child Care subsidy access for children ages 6,7, and 8 will be available to support working families”. Will only employment be allowed as a need factor for these ages?

A: All need factors still apply, including work, school, training, job search, and protective preventive.

Q: The announcement mentioned “emergency” financial assistance through TANF as an exemption. What is emergency TANF?

A: The mention of “emergency” was included in the announcement by mistake. The exemption applies to TANF households receiving cash assistance.

Q: The child care renewal is due for June 2026. The E.7 is currently 06/01/25. If the client does not complete the renewal, the child care will close 36S effective 07/01/26. The child receiving care will turn 9 on June 2, 2026. Can we continue child care for this child?

A: Yes. As long as the child us under the age of 9 on June 1, 2026, the child care may be continued for this child.

Q: On 06/24/26 a client initiates their August 2026 renewal for children ages 3 & 9. The 9-year old does not fall under one of the special populations for the freeze. What do I do?

A: When all other eligibility factors are met, care may be renewed for the 3-year-old. The authorization for the 9-year-old should be closed effective 08/31/26 on reason “99 – State Office Use Only.”