The state of New Jersey has now reopened its Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) for new enrollments after a months-long freeze, though slots will be limited to 75,000 children at any given time.

The program, which helps low-income working parents pay for child care, stopped accepting new applications August 1st due to funding constraints.

Eligible families can now register online at ChildCareNJ.gov, with applications expected to open in January, Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman said.

Families must complete a registration form with basic information before being invited to submit full applications.

Priority will go to families with incomes at or below the federal poverty level, those experiencing homelessness and families with special-needs children, in accordance with federal and state law.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis as children enter and leave the program. Families not initially selected will remain on a waiting list and be contacted when slots open up.

“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 assistance program serves parents who are working, attending school or in job training. Children already enrolled continued receiving benefits during the application freeze.

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.