Moving Child Care Assistance Applications Online Means More Families Get the Help They Deserve

In response to the challenges families face when applying for the Basic Sliding Fee Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), Hennepin County collaborated with Code for America to streamline the application process.

Traditionally, the application was a 26-page paper form requiring extensive documentation, leading to delays and stress for both applicants and caseworkers. To address this, the county launched a six-month experiment in April 2021, offering an online application option alongside the standard paper method. The results demonstrated that providing an online application increased the number of applicants, maintained approval rates, and expedited access to benefits. This initiative not only improved the experience for families but also alleviated the workload for caseworkers, showcasing the potential of digital solutions in enhancing access to social safety net programs.