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This is direct financial aid offered by the Mexican federal government to single mothers, single fathers, and legal guardians who raise children on their own.
The program’s main goal is to make childcare more accessible, allowing single parents to enter or stay in the workforce without neglecting their children’s needs.
In practice, the benefit works as an income supplement specifically meant to cover the costs of childcare while the parent works, studies, or is in the process of finding a job. That includes anything from paying for a private daycare to supporting a trusted family member or third party who looks after the child during work hours.
The program is part of a broader social assistance network run by the Mexican government, aimed at reducing the inequalities faced by single-parent households — whether headed by a woman or a man — who historically have less structural support to balance work and raising children.
Mothers, single fathers, or legal guardians of children with disabilities may also be eligible. In every case, documentation is required to prove the responsible adult’s employment or academic status, along with the child’s documents.
The national agency responsible for administering this benefit is the Ministry of Welfare. To apply, you’ll need to visit one of that institution’s offices in your state.
It’s worth noting that the program doesn’t distinguish based on the caregiver’s gender: both mothers and fathers raising children on their own have exactly the same rights and go through the same evaluation process. What actually matters for eligibility is the family situation — being the sole person responsible for the child day to day — not whether that person is a man or a woman.
The program is aimed at single-parent families. The responsible adult can be a man or a woman, caring for children between 1 year and 1 day old up to just before turning 4, or children with disabilities between 1 year and 1 day old up to just before turning 6.
Keep in mind that each legal guardian can register a maximum of three children in the program.
Beyond age, the family’s overall vulnerability is also taken into account. Low-income families, residents of Indigenous communities, and caregivers without a support network (such as grandparents or other relatives nearby who could help) tend to get priority in the review process, since they’re exactly the groups who feel the lack of affordable childcare options the most.
The amount paid depends on the child’s age and whether or not they have a disability:
- Children ages 1 to 4: $1,600 MXN every two months, per child.
- Children with disabilities ages 1 to 6: $3,600 MXN every two months, per child.
Payment is made directly to the responsible adult every two months, and the total amount can vary depending on how many children are registered.
The money is deposited onto a social assistance card linked to the program, which works like a regular bank card. With it, you can shop at the supermarket, pay bills, withdraw cash from an ATM, or simply keep the balance saved until you need it.
The program was created to expand access to childcare across the country, helping single mothers and fathers manage their households, improve conditions for their children, and support one of the most vulnerable segments of the population.
In recent years, the number of Mexican households headed by a single person has grown significantly. That means more and more caregivers have to juggle, on their own, providing for the household and directly caring for their children — often without enough public daycare options or a nearby family network to help.
Given this reality, the government sees a dedicated childcare benefit as a way to keep these caregivers from having to choose between working and caring for their children — which, in turn, also helps reduce school dropout and job loss caused by a lack of childcare.
The support can be requested by both men and women responsible for minor children. Anyone looking for work or studying needs to provide:
- Proof that you don’t have a paid childcare service
- Valid official ID (if under 18, a passport or birth certificate)
- CURP (Mexican unique population registry code)
- Proof of address
- Proof of employment or enrollment in school
- Letters confirming you’re not affiliated with IMSS or ISSSTE
In addition, you’ll need to submit the following documents for each registered child:
- The child’s birth certificate
- The child’s CURP
- A health certificate issued by a public health institution or a licensed physician (for children with disabilities)
- Call 800-639-4264 and speak with the team in charge of social assistance programs.
- Visit one of the Ministry of Welfare’s offices in person — you can check online to find the one closest to you.
- Fill out the form to start the process.
- Follow up on your application’s status with the Social Assistance office.
- Receive a home visit: the team will confirm that the information you submitted matches your actual situation.
If you’re a mother, single father, or legal guardian who needs support to balance childcare with work or school, this program can be a good place to start. The application process is free and can be done directly at your state’s Ministry of Welfare offices.
Gathering your documents ahead of time — ID, CURP, proof of address, and the children’s documents — helps speed up the process and avoids unnecessary back-and-forth trips to the office. If you’re unsure about any specific requirement for your situation, it’s best to confirm directly with your state’s Social Assistance office before gathering your paperwork.
To receive this support, you’ll need to fill out the form available at the Ministry of Welfare offices in each state. The information provided must be truthful, and each legal guardian can register a maximum of three children in the program.