EEC board adopts final CCFA rule to raise eligibility to 85% of state median income

The Board of Early Education and Care voted to approve final amendments to the Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFA) regulations and authorized the commissioner to file the changes with the Secretary of the Commonwealth for publication in the Massachusetts Register.

The move implements statutory language from the FY25 budget and codifies several administrative policies, most notably raising initial eligibility for CCFA from 50% to 85% of state median income. Board members were told the changes will be effective Jan. 1, 2026.

The revisions also clarify priority-access categories — including families experiencing domestic violence, homelessness and disability — so that those categories are explicitly described as equal in status rather than ordered; they codify current practice excluding certain Social Security benefits from income calculation; and they simplify documentation rules for students taking accelerated college coursework.

Rob Orthmann, deputy general counsel, described the purpose of the public comment-driven edits: "We are clarifying the definition of an intentional program violation...to better align with our federal regulations," and noted the priority-access adjustments were intended to reflect legislative intent that categories be equal.

Tyrese Nicholas, deputy commissioner for family access and engagement, told the board the department had held an online public forum and reviewed six written comments; several technical suggestions from the field were incorporated into the final text. The board packet states the agency will continue annual program reviews to reduce administrative burden and improve language access.

Chair Velsito moved that "the Board of Early Education Care...hereby approves 606 CMR 10, the proposed final amended CCFA regulations, and authorizes the commissioner of the early education care to file the proposed final amended regulations with the Secretary of the Commonwealth for publication in the Massachusetts Register." The motion passed on an affirmative voice vote.

The action implements a key element of the governor's “Gateway to Pre-K” agenda, agency leaders said, and was presented as part of a broader push to increase affordability and access while improving administrative systems ahead of January 2026 implementation.

The board did not set a later effective-date amendment in the meeting; the department will proceed with the filing and then begin the operational work — updating application materials, training staff and notifying providers — needed to implement the new eligibility thresholds and technical clarifications.

Notes: the board stated the department had solicited and reviewed public comment in accordance with Chapter 30A and that the filing follows General Law Chapter 15D procedures.