Child Care Fee Subsidy

Financial assistance is available to eligible families requiring child care for children ages 0-12 years. If you are eligible for fee subsidy, you may only have to pay a percentage of your total child care costs. This is dependant on your individual financial circumstances.

Before you apply, be prepared. You will need one of the following:

• Income Tax Notice of Assessment (Form T451) from the most recent tax year, OR
• Canadian Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) statement, OR
• Ontario Child Benefit Notice

If you are missing this information, call Canada Revenue Agency.  For your Notice of Assessment, call 1-800-959-8281.  For your CCTB statement, call 1-800-387-1193. If you are receiving OW or ODSP, your worker will be able to determine your income through your OW or ODSP file.

Ready to apply?

Call us at 905-546-4870 during regular office hours (Monday-Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm).

When you call, we will discuss your reasons for needing child care and your personal financial situation to determine if you may qualify for fee subsidy. If it appears you qualify for fee subsidy, we will set up an in-person appointment with you. You will need to bring the above documents and any other documents we request. You and a staff member will complete an application and confirm your eligibility. Depending on your circumstances, you may be placed on a waiting list.

If I am approved, what are the next steps?

Once you have completed an application and are approved to start child care, you will need to choose a child care arrangement that best suits your needs with a licensed child care centre or a licensed private home child care agency that has a subsidy agreement with the City of Hamilton.

Waiting list

At this time, the City of Hamilton has a waiting list for child care fee subsidy. Depending on your circumstances, you may be put onto this waiting list. The order of the waiting list is based on the priority of the individual based on a number of factors. Wait times will vary depending on your priority and available funding.
Learn more about the waiting list

What if I am not approved and I disagree with the decision of ineligibility?

Everyone has the right to appeal an ineligibility decision. Appeals must be submitted to the Child Care Fee Subsidy office in writing. Every written appeal will be considered and the original application will be reassessed. Any new information relevant to your situation may also be submitted to the Child Care Fee Subsidy office along with your appeal.

All appeal decisions will be sent by mail to your home address.

Annual interview

If you are receiving child care fee subsidy, our staff will review your income information annually. If there are any changes in your circumstances throughout the year, you are also required to notify your case worker and depending on the changes, you may require a re-assessment. You must continue to file your income taxes annually in order to maintain your eligibility for child care fee subsidy.

What if my circumstances change?

If at anytime your situation changes, such as moving to a new address, change in marital status, a significant change in income and/or your reason for receiving child care fee subsidy, you must contact your subsidy eligibility worker to let them know.

Contact Information

For more information about the City of Hamilton's child care programs and services, contact us using the information below: