Employment Related Day Care (ERDC)

Help paying for childcare

What it pays or provides

ERDC pays your child care provider directly for hours you're at work, in school (including some study time), traveling between child care and work or school, on medical leave, sleeping during a night shift, or (depending on your ERDC type) attending to family well-being needs. You pay a monthly copay directly to your provider — as of August 2023 the average family copay was just over $10, and copays can't be more than 7% of your monthly income. If your provider charges more than ERDC's maximum rate, you pay that difference yourself.

Who qualifies

You can get ERDC if you're working, in school, on TANF, on medical leave from work or school, or in certain Child Welfare programs, and you have a child under 13 (older kids up to 17 can qualify with special circumstances). In a two-parent household, both parents generally need to be working or in school, unless one is on TANF, in a Child Welfare program, dealing with a medical or mental health condition, or under court-ordered supervised contact. To start ERDC your household income needs to be at or below 200% of the federal poverty level; once you're on it, you can keep it until your income passes 250% of the federal poverty level or 85% of the state median income, whichever is higher. Oregon's ERDC currently has a waitlist because of high demand — expected to last at least 18 months — but you can skip it if you meet certain exemptions and your income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. If you're already getting ERDC, the waitlist doesn't affect you.

Income limits by household size

The income limit shown is the 200% federal poverty level cutoff to start ERDC. Once you're approved, you can stay on ERDC until your income passes 250% of the federal poverty level or 85% of Oregon's state median income, whichever is higher.

Limits shown are approximately 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, rounded — the program’s own table is the final word.

Where you have to live

You must live in Oregon, and your child care provider must be approved to receive ERDC payments.

How other benefits affect it

Getting TANF can qualify you for ERDC without needing to separately prove work or school hours. ERDC can work alongside Head Start or Early Head Start, covering child care hours that a Head Start program's schedule doesn't.

How to apply

Apply online at one.oregon.gov by creating a ONE Online account, by calling 800-699-9075 (Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific time), or in person at your local ODHS office during the same hours. You can also text the word "children" to 898211, or call 211, for help finding an office or applying.

Go to the official page →or call 800-699-9075

Keeping it (renewal)

You'll get a notice when it's time to renew. You can start your renewal up to 45 days before your eligibility period ends, through Benefits.Oregon.gov, your local office, or by calling 800-699-9075.

If you’re denied

If you're placed on the ERDC waitlist, you'll get a notice with your waitlist number and information about your right to appeal the decision.

Programs that combine with it

• Head Start & Early Head Start — free early education for low-income families (birth to 5)
• Oregon TANF & JOBS Program — cash help for families with kids (TANF)

Sources

• Official rule text “These amounts are 200% of federal poverty level. ... These amounts are 250% of federal poverty level or 85% of state median income, whichever is higher.” (checked July 6, 2026)