Head Start Eligibility

Age Requirements

• Children 3-or 4-years-old on or before September 1st of the current year

• Expecting mothers
• Children birth-2-years-old on or before September 1st of the current year

Program Eligibility

• Families must reside in Broward County
• Applications must be completed by the legal parent/guardian 
• Families receiving public assistance are categorically eligible
  • SNAP food assistance
  • TANF cash assistance
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) 
• Families experiencing homelessness are categorically eligible
• Foster children are categorically eligible
• Families that are not categorically eligible must provide income
  • Income must meet the federal poverty guidelines
  • Adjustments to income are available for families experiencing excessive housing costs
    • Documentation must be in the applying person's name
    • Documentation must be current (not expired OR dated within the past 3 months)
    • Documentation is required to determine eligibility
      • Rent/mortgage statements
      • Renter's or homeowner's insurance (if it is not included in lease or escrow)
      • Property or renter's taxes (if it is not included in lease or escrow)
      • Electric bills
      • Gas bills (for the house)
      • Water bills
      • Sewer bills
      • Trash bills
• Children with disabilities may be eligible and are encouraged to apply

1. Proof of age (child’s ORIGINAL birth certificate or foreign passport)
   • If you are not the legal parent on the child's birth certificate, you will need to provide proof of guardianship:
     • Complete the Affidavit of Person Acting as Parent form 
     • Provide supporting documentation
       • A notarized letter from the natural parent explaining why they are unable to perform in a parental role and how this person is acting as a parent
       • Court documentation to show guardianship
2. Parent/guardian government issued photo identification
3. Current proof of Broward County residence (domicile)
   • Current or not expired (e.g., lease, car registration) or falls within the past 90 days of the application date (e.g., utility bill, phone bill, insurance letter, bank statement etc.)
   • If you are sharing housing and do not have proof of residence, please complete the notarized Affidavit of Shared Housing form | English| Spanish | Creole | Portuguese | 
4. Income Documentation
   • Public Assistance eligibility letters (must be current or within the past 12 months)
   • Printout showing eligibility/amounts and dates received (current/not expired)
     • TANF cash assistance,
     • SNAP food assistance
     • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

OR

• Income for ALL household members from the previous calendar year OR past 12 months
  • Social Security Benefits (SSA) Award Letter (with award amounts) 
  • Income Tax Form 1040 
  • W-2 Forms 
  • Pay stubs with year-to-date income for a full year 
  • Unemployment Compensation Records 
  • Veterans benefits records 
  • Child Support/Alimony records
  • Worker’s Compensation records
  • Military allotment records
  • Training stipends
  • Grants, fellowships, scholarships

 Other Documents if Applicable

• Documented diagnosis of medical conditions 
• Documented mental health conditions
• Documented conditions that impact the child's education
• Outside speech, language, and behavioral plans
• Individualized Educational Plan (IEP)