Written by a parent, not a doctor. Nothing here is medical advice.

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Michigan program

Help paying for a sibling’s child care (CDC)

Michigan’s child-care subsidy can cover an approved need while a parent takes part in another household member’s treatment.

What it is

Michigan’s child-care subsidy can cover an approved need while a parent takes part in another household member’s treatment.

A sibling can need child care while you are at treatment. Michigan is unusual: its family-preservation rules count a parent required at another household member's treatment, including a hospital stay, as a reason for care. Income has to be under the line, and MDHHS needs the treatment schedule and proof that you are needed there.

Eligibility rules
  • Care for a sibling under 13 can be approved while a parent has to be at the hospital for another child’s treatment (the "family preservation" reason), but not as respite. MDHHS needs a clinic form (DHS-4575) showing the schedule and how long it will last.
  • Income under about $4,442 a month for three people or $5,358 for four to start.
What you get
  • Payment toward licensed or approved child care when income and care-need rules are met.
What the help covers
  • Payments go toward approved child care and can leave a family contribution or other permitted provider charges. MDHHS and the provider can give the current contribution amount, payment period and any remaining charges before care is arranged.
If you decide to apply
  1. Ask the hospital social worker about a CDC request through MI Bridges under family preservation.
  2. Bring current income, the written treatment schedule and the child-care service’s details.

MDHHS: 1-855-789-5610 · Official page ↗

If you decide to apply
  • For family preservation, MDHHS needs the DHS-4575 or acceptable verification from a listed qualified professional describing the treatment, required participation, days and hours, expected duration and children needing care. The hospital social worker can help coordinate that evidence with the income and provider review.
Good to know

This pays for care while you are at treatment, not for a break. Bring the treatment schedule and a letter from the clinic saying you are needed there.

Other details
  • Child care and food assistance use separate tables and update schedules. MDHHS can confirm the current child-care entry and family-contribution amounts.
Official sources
Ask your social worker

“Could a sibling’s child care qualify while we take part in treatment? What would we still pay, and could you help document family preservation if applying makes sense?”

Why I’m asking: I want to understand whether treatment-related child care fits the subsidy rules.

More background and detailed requirements
Additional program information and published rules

Who does what

The three parts, side by side. The agency decides; nobody on this page does.

You

Discuss a family-preservation request and gather the required participation and income records if you decide to apply.

Your social worker

The hospital confirms the treatment schedule in writing.

The care team

The clinic provides the appointment schedule.

Who decides
MDHHS.
Ask your social worker
“I have another child at home and I am at the hospital most days. Can we apply for the child-care subsidy under family preservation?”

How to apply

First step: Ask the hospital social worker about a CDC request through MI Bridges under family preservation.

  1. Ask the hospital social worker about a CDC request through MI Bridges under family preservation.
  2. Bring current income, the written treatment schedule and the child-care service’s details.

Official application / program page ↗

Where it starts: Discuss a CDC request through MI Bridges with the social worker, including family-preservation documentation.

What to gather

  • This month’s income
  • The treatment schedule in writing
  • The child-care provider’s details

How long: No decision time was published for this scale.

What a yes looks like

A subsidy paid to the provider, with a family contribution above the lowest tier.

What a no looks like, and the next move

Usually income over the entry scale, or the need not documented.

Watch out

  • Child care and food assistance use separate tables and update schedules. MDHHS can confirm the current child-care entry and family-contribution amounts.
  • CDC does not pay for respite.
  • MDHHS needs acceptable verification of required treatment participation and each parent’s child-care need.

The numbers and the rules

The arcane layer, kept on purpose. Checked September 11, 2026.

What it is worth

Payment toward eligible child care during an approved need; MDHHS confirms current income and family-contribution amounts.

  • $3,526/month — Entry-level gross monthly maximum, group of two (February 2026 historical table; MDHHS confirms current amount)
  • $4,442/month — Entry-level gross monthly maximum, group of three (February 2026 historical table; MDHHS confirms current amount)
  • $5,358/month — Entry-level gross monthly maximum, group of four (February 2026 historical table; MDHHS confirms current amount)
  • $6,276/month — Entry-level gross monthly maximum, group of five (February 2026 historical table; MDHHS confirms current amount)
  • $7,192/month — Entry-level gross monthly maximum, group of six (February 2026 historical table; MDHHS confirms current amount)

Covers: Payment towards licensed or approved child care

What it costs the family: A family contribution applies above the lowest tier.

The eligibility facts, as published

Income
MDHHS confirms the current CDC entry table, effective date, assistance group and income calculation. Stored amounts describe the February 2026 table, not a current denial rule.
Need
Child Development and Care can help with work-related child care and other approved needs. Family preservation can include a parent’s required participation in treatment for someone in the household, including hospitalization, but it is not respite. MDHHS needs the DHS-4575 or acceptable supporting verification of the treatment, required participation, schedule, duration and affected children; each parent’s care need must qualify. Children usually must be under 13 at application or redetermination; children 13 through 17 need the specified disability-related constant-care or court-supervision circumstances.
Exclusion
the subsidy cannot pay for respite care

The trap: Child care and food assistance use different tables. The subsidy cannot pay for respite, and family contributions or other permitted charges may remain.

Where I read this

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