August 21, 2025 — Thousands of New Jersey families are being turned away from the state’s child care assistance program after lawmakers failed to fully fund its growing needs. The state has temporarily frozen new enrollment in the Child Care Assistance Program and raised co-pays for families already receiving support.
The freeze affects even families who have an older child enrolled in the program. Advocates say the move could force parents — particularly low-income mothers — to leave the workforce or cut their hours. “We are talking about families who cannot get in and them potentially choosing between whether they work or don’t work, whether they go to school or don’t go to school,” said Winifred Smith-Jenkins, director of early childhood policy and advocacy at Advocates for Children of New Jersey.
Advocates are urging lawmakers to approve an additional $30 million to reopen applications and fund vouchers for roughly 2,400 children. Currently, the state supports about 70,000 child care vouchers for families earning up to 200% of the federal poverty level.
Providers say they are already seeing families drop out because of higher co-pays, which rose to an average of 6% of household income. The freeze, in effect since August 1, has also left some parents without care for younger siblings.
Experts warn the shortfall underscores a larger affordability crisis: child care costs in New Jersey average nearly $20,000 a year for an infant — among the highest in the nation.
Read More: Gothamist: NJ shuts enrollment for child care vouchers, increases co-pays amid budget gap