Can My Child Attend Head Start?
Find out if your child is eligible for Oakland's Head Start and Early Head Start programs.
Eligibility is determined by several factors, including:
- Family income
- Housing situation
- Public assistance
Your child may qualify if your family meets one or more of these criteria. You do not need to meet the requirements of every category to be eligible.
If you have questions, our staff is here to help!
Please call us at (510) 238-3165.
Income Eligibility
Your child may qualify for Head Start if your family's income is below 130% of the federal poverty guidelines. You must provide proof of your total family income for the past 12 months or the previous calendar year. Income from all income sources must be submitted.
Examples of proof of income:
- Tax Statements such as Tax Form 1040 or W-2, 1099MISC, and/or comparable forms if the family has not filed a Tax Statement to the IRS.
- Pay stubs reflecting total wages for the last 12 months or previous calendar year.
- A letter from your employer stating total wages for the last 12 months or previous calendar year.
Please note that you do not need to submit all of the documents above to prove income. You only need to submit one eligible proof of income.
2023 Federal Poverty Guidelines
Please review your household size and income according to the 2023 Federal Poverty Guidelines.
| Household/Family Size |
100% or Below |
100% to 130% |
| 1 |
$14,580 |
$18,954 |
| 2 |
$19,720 |
$25,636 |
| 3 |
$24,860 |
$32,318 |
| 4 |
$30,000 |
$39,000 |
| 5 |
$35,140 |
$45,682 |
| 6 |
$40,280 |
$52,364 |
| 7 |
$45,420 |
$59,046 |
| 8 |
$50,560 |
$65,728 |
Over-Income
If your family income exceeds 130% of the federal poverty guidelines, you may still be eligible. We prioritize enrollment for families with demonstrated need, as outlined in Head Start Performance Standards and City of Oakland Head Start Policies & Procedures.
If your child has an IEP or IFSP, your application will receive priority over other over-income families.
Public Assistance
Your child qualifies for Head Start if your family uses any of the following public assistance programs.
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/CalFresh
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)/CalWORKs
Families currently receiving a TANF Child Only Payment are automatically income-eligible.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Homeless
Families experiencing homelessness are eligible for Head Start and are not required to submit income information. Please fill out the Housing Survey Form as part of your application, or contact us for assistance.
Homelessness is defined as lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This includes families living with others, staying in shelters, and unsheltered families.
Foster Care
Children in foster care or kinship care qualify for Head Start. No income information is required. Please provide one of the following:
- Social Services letter
- Court order
- Foster care payment statement
A child who receives cash aid through Foster Care or Kinship Care is considered a family of one.
Start your Application Today
Apply to Head Start