South Carolina · SC Child Care Scholarship / SC Voucher Program
Child care help in South Carolina: the income line, the co-pay, and the wait
South Carolina's program is SC Child Care Scholarship / SC Voucher Program, run by South Carolina Department of Social Services, Division of Early Care and Education. Here is its entry line, its exit line, its co-pay machine, its rule on the second bill, and whether it is funding new families right now.
Run the free check for South Carolina
The lines, for a family of 4
85% of state median income (about $6,954/mo for a family of 4, state plan).
The FFY2025-2027 CCDF state plan sets entry at 85% SMI. Some compiled tables still show 55% SMI — the state plan is the primary source and says 85%.
85% of state median income.
Who skips the income test
These lanes waive or shortcut parts of the income test in South Carolina — if one is you, say so on page one of the application:
- Families receiving TANF
- Children in protective services — requirements waived case-by-case per the state plan
- Children in foster care
- Families experiencing homelessness
The co-pay
No dollar fee chart is published here for this state. The Prenatal-to-3 Policy Roadmap 2025 reports copayments of up to 3% of family income — that is a maximum burden, not a typical fee. Confirm your exact copay on the state chart before you budget.
Fee scale: 2025 (PN3 Roadmap 2025; state chart not opened).
The gap: not confirmed for South Carolina
South Carolina's rule on charging above the state rate was not confirmed in the sources checked in October 2026.
Nationally, 40 states allow providers to bill families the difference above the state rate and 11 prohibit it (PN3, December 2025) — but the per-state list was not published in a form we could verify for South Carolina, so this page does not guess. Ask the agency before you sign.
No state maximum rate was opened in the October 2026 check.
The funding reality
South Carolina appears in 2025 reporting both for enrollment freezes and for recently started waitlists. Apply early and confirm your status with DSS.
How to apply
Apply through SC DSS / the SC Child Care portal. State program page.
Limits checked October 2026 · Fee scale checked 2025 (PN3 Roadmap 2025; state chart not opened) · Ceiling checked Not published · Waitlist checked October 2026
Sources: source · cross-checked against the state's CCDF plan. If a figure here disagrees with the agency's current chart, the agency's chart wins — tell us at help@doogex.com.
The Daycare Help Kit — $29, one-time
The check gives you the answer. The kit walks the whole road after it: the application packet in the agency's own order, the denial translator, the real-bill worksheet, the redetermination calendar, and the tour-and-judge checklists — for all 50 states and DC.
See what's inside the kit $29 · one-time payment