Summary of EEC Income Eligibility Guidelines

The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) sets income eligibility for child care subsidies based on family income, work status and family size.

• Families must have income at or below 50% of SMI to qualify for an EEC subsidy. 
• Families may remain eligible as long as their income remains at or below 85% SMI. 
• Income eligibility does not guarantee access to care – more than 17,000 children are on the waiting list for subsidies

Examples of guidelines effective July 2010:

% of State Median Income (SMI)	Annual Income Family of 2	Annual Income Family of 3	Annual Income Family of 4	Annual Income Family of 5
50% SMI	$33,511	$41,396	$49,281	$57,166
85% SMI	$56,968	$70,372	$83,777	$97,181