NYC Freezes Child Care Vouchers — Could Long Island Be Next?
- Academic Explorers
- May 6
- 2 min read
A funding crisis in New York City is putting low-income families at risk of losing access to child care — and Long Island families should pay close attention.
What's Happening in NYC?
On April 29, 2025, New York City officials announced a pause in new enrollments for the ACS Child Care Assistance Program due to a nearly $1 billion budget shortfall. This freeze means no new vouchers will be issued to families applying for child care subsidies unless they receive cash assistance — a legally required exception.
While existing families can continue to re-certify their vouchers for now, city leaders have warned that, without more funding, even currently enrolled families may be cut from the program in the coming months.
Why This Matters for Long Island Families
While this crisis is unfolding in the five boroughs, Nassau Count DSS and Suffolk County DSS (Department of Social Services) operate similar child care assistance programs funded by the same source, New York State. A few other counties across New York have already paused new enrollments, just like NYC.
This raises serious concerns for families in our Long Island community who rely on or are planning to apply for DSS child care subsidies.
If You’re Thinking About Applying — Don’t Wait
If you are a Nassau County or Suffolk County parent considering applying for child care assistance, we urge you to submit your application as soon as possible.
Funding delays or freezes could happen here next.
Already Approved for DSS? Here's How to Keep It
If you already have an active DSS case, it’s critical to:
Keep track of your recertification deadline
Respond promptly to any DSS paperwork or requests
Submit all documentation on time to prevent your case from closing
Once your authorization expires, you may not be able to reapply if the program is paused like in NYC.
What About NYC Families Enrolled at Our Centers?
While our centers are located in Nassau County, we do accept families with NYC ACS vouchers. If your child currently attends our program using an ACS voucher:
Your spot is not affected for now if your case is currently active, as recertifications are still being processed.
However, no new ACS applications are being approved at this time as of May 5, 2025
We recommend keeping close contact with your ACS caseworker and submitting all recertification paperwork early.
Stay Informed — Protect Your Child’s Spot
Child care assistance is vital for working families, and the current situation highlights how fragile funding can be. If you're counting on a subsidy to help pay for care:
📌 Apply now — before any pause reaches Long Island.
📌 Stay organized and up to date on your case.
📌 Reach out to your DSS office or our staff for help if you're unsure about next steps.
Have Questions or Need Help?
Our team at Academic Explorers is here to support your family. If you need assistance navigating DSS or ACS voucher paperwork, contact us directly — we’re happy to help.
💻 Visit our website to get support: www.academicexplorersllc.com/assistance
📩 Email us for help with child care subsidy questions: info@AcademicExplorersLLC.com
📲 Call or text us at (516) 535-9691
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