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Eligibility and Enrollment

Age  | Income/Family Size | How to Apply  

The following information will help you determine if you qualify for Head Start, Early Head Start, or ECEAP and how to apply for the services. 

We consider two things:

Age

For Head Start & ECEAP during 2010-2011 school year

  • 1st priority: Four-year-olds (Birth date is between 9/1/05 and 8/31/06)
  • 2nd priority: Three-year-olds (Birth date is between 9/1/06 and 8/31/07)
  • Early Head Start: Pregnant mothers or a child from birth to three years of age could qualify for Early Head Start

Income/Family Size

(Effective February 2012 to Present)

Income means gross income for 12 months from all sources such as:

  • Wages from a job
  • Military pay (including pay and allowances)
  • Veteran benefits
  • Social security benefits
  • Unemployment compensation
  • TANF cash benefits
  • College grants and scholarships
  • Child Support

Showing us your income means bringing documents such as:

  • Tax Return
  • W-2 Forms
  • Pay stubs for the previous 12 months, or last calendar year
  • Written statement from your employer telling how much you made in the previous 12 months or calendar year
  • Award Letter from your TANF cash assistance grant
  • Foster Care Grant
  • Statement from Unemployment
  • SSI Letters
 
Family means all people living in the same household who are:

  • supported by the income of the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the potential Head Start/Early Head Start/ECEAP child; and

  • related by blood, marriage or adoption to the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the potential Head Start/Early Head Start/ECEAP child.

Children receiving a foster care grant are also considered eligible for Head Start or ECEAP. Their foster care grant amount is the only income considered for income verification.

How to Apply   

Complete an application form, available in English and Spanish .

Send it to the Head Start or ECEAP center nearest to you. Click on the link below to find a Head Start/Early Head Start or ECEAP center near you.


 

Other services are available in some areas including:

  • Full-day, full-year Head Start/ECEAP services are available in some areas. Families must be receiving child care subsidies OR self-pay for child care.
  • Children under the age of 3 are eligible in parts of south King County for Early Head Start services in licensed family child care homes. Child care payment is required.