The New Jersey Department of Human Services announced that they will begin reopening applications for the state’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) next month, allowing a limited number of new children to enroll for the first time since the program paused intake in August due to funding constraints.

Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman said that the department will begin issuing registration forms in December to families in state-defined priority groups. Those families will be notified when they may submit full applications, with the goal of accepting new applicants in January. Officials estimate the reopening will ultimately extend assistance to about 75,000 children.

Priority groups include families with children experiencing homelessness, children with special needs, and households with very low incomes. Adelman cautioned that limited funding means not all invited applicants will ultimately receive assistance.

Families will be able to access the registration form through ChildCareNJ.gov in December. The website also offers eligibility information and links to local Child Care Resource and Referral agencies, which can direct non-eligible families to other affordable care options.

“This is an important step forward that will bring relief to many families, but we are continuing to work toward a full reopening of the program so every eligible child can access the care they need,” said Shlomo Schorr, Legislative Director of Agudath Israel’s New Jersey office, who advocated for and lobbied in support of fully restoring the program.

A bill recently introduced in the New Jersey state Legislature seeks to add an additional $28 million to the CCAP.

The new legislation, which Agudath Israel has has been advocating for over the last few months, supplements the state’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget by increasing the appropriation for the Work First New Jersey Child Care program from $565.8 million to $593.8 million, ensuring what lawmakers describe as “full funding” for the state’s child care assistance initiative.

Earlier this year, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed into law a bipartisan measure sponsored by Assemblyman Avi Schnall which expanded program eligibility to include full-time graduate and post-graduate students.

CCAP provides subsidies to income-eligible parents who are working, in school, or in job training. While new enrollments were halted as of Aug. 1, 2025, current recipients have continued to receive assistance.

The Murphy administration says it has invested more than $1 billion in child care since 2018, including doubling provider reimbursement rates. The fiscal year 2026 budget added another $79.5 million for CCAP, though officials say rising enrollment and unfunded federal requirements have continued to put pressure on resources.

The program has been providing subsidies for nearly 70,000 children across the state – with over 6,000 of those in the Lakewood area – at a cost of approximately $872 million in state and federal funds.

To be eligible, families must meet certain work or education and income requirements; for example, a family of four cannot exceed a gross income of $64,300, and family assets for all income levels must not exceed $1 million.