The Trump administration is drafting a rule that would allow some married couples with a stay-at-home parent to potentially receive federal child-care subsidies, according to a New York Times report.
The money would come from the Child Care and Development Fund, a federal program that helps low-income families afford childcare and supports states, territories and tribes in providing subsidies.
The program provides about $9,000 per child annually on average, according to the Times.
Under the draft proposal, a married couple could qualify if one spouse stays home with the child and the other works at least 35 hours a week. Families would still have to meet income requirements, while unmarried couples and nonworking single parents would not qualify,
the Times reported.
The proposal would not create a new source of funding.
Instead, stay-at-home parents would draw from the same pool of money currently used to subsidize child care for working families, raising concerns that more families could be competing for limited funds, according to the Times. Child-care providers have also expressed concern that the change could reduce enrollment and revenue at centers that rely on the subsidies.
Vice President JD Vance has previously mentioned allowing federal child-care assistance to support families that rely on parents or relatives for care. During a 2024 interview on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Vance said he wanted child-care policy to support different family arrangements, including stay-at-home parents and grandparents.
The draft has also raised legal and oversight questions. The Times reported that some Health and Human Services Department lawyers have questioned whether restricting the benefit to married couples would be lawful, while officials have raised concerns about potential fraud if payments are made directly to parents rather than child-care providers.
The proposal has not been enacted. The rule was still being drafted as of Sept. 5 and would require White House approval and a public comment period before it could be finalized, according to the Times.
It could take effect as early as 2027.
Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Is Trump planning to pay stay-at-home parents? What to know
