If a child is described as having special needs (determined by these factors: ethnic background, age, part of a sibling group, medical conditions or physical, mental, or emotional disabilities) he may qualify for adoption assistance (also called "adoption subsidy"). This financial assistance is intended to help you provide for the child's ongoing therapy, treatment, or special support. There are two major funding sources for adoption assistance: the Federal title IV-E program under the Social Security Act and State specified programs. The amount of subsidy that you receive for caring for your child will be determined by the cost of living in the state that the child is coming from (the "placing state") and the level of the child's needs. There are three different types of subsidy. First (this is the one most often referenced when people speak of ‘subsidy’) is the monthly maintenance amount paid to the family. This monthly amount cannot be more than the foster care rate the child would qualify for in the placing state. The second type of subsidy is non-recurring expenses or one time only money for expenses related to the adoption. The cap on this is usually $2000 for each placement. The third type of subsidy is medical subsidy which includes a medical assistance card for the child and perhaps additional funds for extraordinary medical expenses. These subsidies are a great benefit for families but are not meant to cover all the expenses associated with raising a child. The specifics of each child’s placement will determine the subsidy amount.
If you have questions about adoption subsidy, please contact us at 1-888-200-4005.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
35 comments:
This is one area that I would to know more about. It seems that each state has different policys about who is eligible for an adoption subsidy, and what amount you may get for the monthy mantance payment.
I live here in Illinois. An Illinois child has to be either one years old, or a member of a sibling group, or that you had adopted previously a child from the same mother or father, or a child with some type of mental, physical or emotional disablilty.
Since most foster children will become one year old before the parential rights are terminated, essentially every Illinois child will become eligible for the monthy adoption assistnace maintenance payments.
I recently inquired about a nine year old from Kansas, and according to the information that I gotten about their policy, he may or may not be getting a monthy adoption assistance payment. He would either has to be 12 or older, or be a member of a sibling group, or a medically diagnosed physical disability, or having a significant developmental disability, or being diagnosed as having either a behavioral or emotional disability, or some condition in the child's background that may cause a problem at a later date, also called a "guarded prognosis".
A child with a guarded prognosis may not monthy adoption assistance payments since they don't exbibit any "special needs" when first placed, and may only get later if some need develops.
This policy may out me in financial bind since I would be counting on the monthy adoption assistance payments to help for after school program and the summer day camp for this child. Can adoptuskids claify the different state policies?
What topics they would you discuss on this blog? Let me know!
Kate:
I think it would hard for AUK to report on amounts and policies in each state because the guidelines AND amount is different WITHIN some states as well.
In Texas it IS not guaranteed that the family WILL receive the subsidy every year or even the same amount. You have to reapply every year. It is highly likely that the family WILL recieve the subsidy, but you never want to say it WILL definitely be paid until 18at adoption.
We adopted a mixed-race sibling group in SC. Our caseworker said along with the adoption subisidies we qualify for the full amount of the adoption tax credit because of special needs classification even though we had no out-of-pocket expenses.
How laong after the adoption do you have to apply for the one time subsidy. I just recently heard of this. our 2 yr adoption anniversary just passed and am not sure if we can still apply for this. She has right ear atresia. We live in Indiana
Thanks for operating this blog. What a wealth of knowledge.
www.trawickclan.blogspot.com
Kate,
I would like to hear from other families regarding their experiences for managing the expenditures incurred prior to placement of a child/children. Some, or all, of these expenses may be recovered later on, yet most states have a $2000 cap for those costs incurred. However, if a family lives a considerable distance from the child's placing state, these expenses could be significant, and may well exceed the allowable amount. Common sense tells me that when considering a child outside of my home state, it would be prudent to also consider whether or not the travel distance between myself and the child is whithin my budget.
When I adopted my son six years ago, it meant only a five hour round trip,about 250 miles,for a dozen times or so. Gas and wheel time were my main costs then. Of course, fuel was cheaper at the time, and an overnight stay in his hometown was only necessary twice.
Since then, however, I've retired and income is considerably less. I am actively searching for an addition to my little family, yet the initial outlay for expenditures is keeping me closer afield than I'd like. It would be interesting, perhaps, for other's to share their stories of how they managed, or plan to manage, their pre-placement expenses.
Thanks, by the way, for a long needed blog! from: Single Dad
Dear Single dad,
If you are able to search in other states, they dont generally require 12 visits for pre placement visits.
It has been my experience that they usually have you come once for a visit, requiring airfare, rental car and hotel for the trip. They will usually arrange to bering the child to you.
What we did for our expenses was to have fund raising events.We had a big yard sale, got donations, raffled off donated items, had a bake sale, etc.
Dont let distance keep you from adopting again. Use it to your advantage. The farther away a child is located, the more understanding the caseworkers will be as to preplacment visit should you be chosen.
Texas is especially willing to work with families in most instances. Have you searched their site? You didnt say where you are from.
Dear maagiclady,
Your comments helped me to start thinking more "outside-the-box" and to be a little more creative about my approach to all of this.
Your encouragement is also greatly appreciated.
I live in Michigan.
this is one reason we chose to pick MO children cause we live in MO and there are so many children that we have plenty to choose from. every week we get e-mails for adoptabe children and then each office has a book of profiles of children legally free even and you have just plenty of choices and all age ranges if you want to stay close to home. sure i have seem some adorable sibling groups and several little girls like we would like in NC or south Carolina or even Virginia our home on the us adoption site and it doesn't take long to remember if we think rationally that we cant really afford the gas and motels and the time away and off work and all the things involved with not only the first staffing interview but the visits and then a few visits after wards before you pick them up..... so we just try and stay as close to home as possible. we drove four hours one way last week and it was discouraging cause we didnt get them and it was a full day on the road with four children gas and time off work so we are going to just look closer to home and wait for the right ones to come along all in the right timing.....you have to know your income and your abilities.
Thanks for asking me to clarify the adoption subsidy information. You are right - special circumstances can have an impact on 'how' and 'how much' when it comes to subsidy. What you need to remember is this: adoption subsidy is intended to help meet the needs of the child and you should not hesitate to discuss it with the child's worker. No need to be nervous talking about adoption finances - this is a resource that could greatly help your child!
To the Indiana family - I am following up with your state RRT to find out if you can still apply. Stay tuned!
Thanks for raising the question about adoption tax credit. It can be a little confusing so I posted a quick overview. If you'd like more specific details, you can visit the IRS website at http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc607.html.
Hi Kate
I found this website that all you have to do is go to the site and click on the site your adopting from. It should give you an idea on subsity payments.
http://www.nacac.org/adoptionsubsidy/stateprofiles.html
in a legal risk where tpr did not happen but reunification is set. should your subsidy change to a foster home subsity?
I would appreciate any information concerning receiving adoption subsidy as well as death benefits. I am in PA and the child in question is certainly considered high maintenance while not medical. The county in question is offering a very small daily subsidy rate and it was stated that I would have to decide between the subsidy and death benefits. I dont quite understand this as I have a friend who (in another county) has adopted children and is receiving both the subsidy as well as the death benefits entitled to the children. I completely understand the situation when it comes to SSI benefits as that is based on income but is not the death benefit something the child is entitled to regardless of the income of the parents. I would appreciate any help on this matter before I finalize any assistance paperwork as this child deserves and needs all the extras that it is possible for me to give in the future.
Can anyone help me? I adopted three children in Michigan and within the past year or so they changed their adotion subsidy disbursement schedule. It used to always be the first of the month, but now it varies. Anyhow, my schedule has disappeared and I can't find it online anywhere although I know it is somewhere. Would anyone happen to be from MI and have a copy?
Just a small correction to this post. The subsidy is not always governed by the placing state. In the case of a child in the custody of a private agency it is the receiving state who determines eligibility and terns of the subsidy.
In His peace - Cindy
MoM(Mom of Many)
Certain states (in my case, Virginia) have left it up to the individual cities or counties. We have a placement from one city but have had to reaaply for our subsidy. The reason given was that it is now based on the county/city they will be living in, not the county/city that they are from. (found this out on the day of placement) Also, we were told that in our state the subsidy paperwork and details had to be completed before finalization of the adoption. Just something for you all to be aware of.
Hello Anonymous in MI,
I am the Liaison for the State of Michigan's Recruit Response Team in collaboration with AdoptUsKids. I was informed that the Subsidy checks for March went out on March 6th; if you have Direct Deposit, it would have posted on March 7th. If you did not receive your check for this month, you may call the State's Subsidy Office in Lansing after March 18th to report it missing. I was also informed that you can call the Adoption Subsidy Unit to request another schedule and they can e-mail, mail or fax one to you. I'm certain they will be willing to provide you with the assistance you are seeking. Please let me know the result of your phone call. If you need additional assistance, do not hesitate to contact AdoptUsKids by dialing 888.200.4005 or via email at info@adoptuskids.org.
Thank you, Gloria Mitchell, MI RRT
Hi, I have found a website that states each states subsidy program and specific qualifications. This is an extremely helpful website since we are considering adopting from out of state. It's... http://www.nacac.org/adoptionsubsidy/adoptionsubsidy.html
I hope this helps! Jenna
Can anyone explain Kansas' adopion subsidy policy. I have read that the state of Kansas does't give monthy maintance money to all kids from that state. I recently inquired about a nine year old boy from Kansas, and it doesn't appear from his description on addoptuskids web site that he has any special needs. I could be wrong but it appears that he may not qualify for a monthy maintaince from Kansas. Can someone expain the details in this form about Kansas adoption subsidy policy?
To the Kansas Post.... Here's what I found on the internet...
Kansas’ adoption assistance:
1. What specific factors or conditions does your State consider to determine that a child cannot be placed with adoptive parents without providing financial assistance? ("What is your State definition of special needs?")
A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:
1. Twelve years of age or older (if age is the only special needs factor)
2. Member of a sibling group of two or more children placed for adoption together, where one of the siblings has one of the special needs factors or conditions listed here
3. Member of a sibling group of three or more children placed for adoption together (no other factors are necessary)
4. Medically diagnosed physical disability that requires professional treatment, impairs normal functioning, requires assistance in self-care or the purchase of special equipment. The disability is to be diagnosed by a physician, hospital, clinic or other qualified medical practitioner
5. Significant developmental disabilities and/or delays with demonstrated need for intensive adult supervision beyond chronological age, determined through an evaluation by a licensed psychologist, diagnostic center, special education services, or other qualified professional individual
6. Diagnosed as having a behavioral or emotional disability (psychiatric condition) that impairs the child’s intellectual, behavioral or social functioning. A physician, psychologist or clinical social worker must establish diagnosis and prognosis.
7. Factors in the child’s genetic, health, and/or social background exist that are indicators that the child may develop physical, emotional or developmental problems at a later date (“guarded prognosis”)
Hope it helps! Jenna
PS- I do not believe by what you said about him that he will qualify.
You are more likely corrent Jenna that the 9 year old from Kansas wouldn't qualify for a monthy maintence payment.
The state where I am from, Illinois, any child one year & older are eligible for an adotpion subsidy. Perhaps that is one reason why there are more children available for adoption in Kansas than in Illinois.
More foster parents would adopt the child that is already placed with them if their monthy maintience payments would continue after adoption.
Dear Family that posted a blog on Adoption Subsidy April 14, 2008 7:53 PM
My name is Alex White. I am Adoptuskids Recruitment Response Team (RRT) for Cluster 1 assisting families in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri.
Some children who have special needs present financial barriers to a successful adoption. Every child is different, therefore the types of subsides available for adoption are different. Children that have significant medical, emotional, or developmental needs are the children that qualify. Federal and state subsidies are available to assist adoptive families in meeting the special needs of the children they adopt. Subsidy amount is determined on the child and the income and or resources needed to meet those needs. Every child is different, therefore the types of subsides available are different. Please discuss with the child’s worker or subsidy worker to determine what subsidies are available.
Feel free to contact AdoptUsKids if you have nay questions.
Have a great day,
Alex White
I adopted 3 times in the past and have 4 adopted children.I live in Pennsylvania.My first adoption was a 4 year old girl from Philadelphia.Her adoption subsidy was 12.00 per day.Not much but okay.About a year later I requested and increase.I was denied,I appealed and recieve a $1.00 increase.That was 8 years ago.It seems that Philly will not grant increases no matter what.In fact about 6 years ago I requested another $1.00.I was denied,I appealed and lost.I had to go there for a hearing.There I felt I was put on trial as Philly had some"over dressed,highly paid lawyer".
I lost and left crying.I took a day off work,the "big Shot" in charge in Philly bascially lied in court with a "Jesus" keychain around his neck.
It is so sad that they "wasted" all that money on an attorney that should have gone to my child...or any child.
Today my daughter has ADHD but she is happy and healthy and still getting $13.00 a day.
SHAME ON YOU PHILADELPHIA !!!!!
I adopted 3 times in the past and have 4 adopted children.I live in Pennsylvania.My first adoption was a 4 year old girl from Philadelphia.Her adoption subsidy was 12.00 per day.Not much but okay.About a year later I requested and increase.I was denied,I appealed and recieve a $1.00 increase.That was 8 years ago.It seems that Philly will not grant increases no matter what.In fact about 6 years ago I requested another $1.00.I was denied,I appealed and lost.I had to go there for a hearing.There I felt I was put on trial as Philly had some"over dressed,highly OVER paid lawyer".
I lost and left crying.I took a day off work,the "big Shot" in charge in Philly bascially lied in court with a "Jesus" keychain around his neck.
It is so sad that they "wasted" all that money on an attorney that should have gone to my child...or any child.
Today my daughter has ADHD but she is happy and healthy and still getting $13.00 a day.
It's okay I am not in it for the money but for the love of my child.
SHAME ON YOU PHILADELPHIA !!!!!
I have heard the same of Philadelphia County in Pennsylvania.It seems they give the parents the minimal amount of subsidy and NEVER give increases.Every time an increase is requested it is always denied.The manager,who says he is also an adoptive parent,however I doubt his child is getting the minimum.
They attorney you are speaking of is rude and nasty and I do not understand why the county would even need such and laywer to go against families they "claim" to want to help.
I am sure that the money the county gives there attornies are far more then these poor children recieve.
I ask any one over in Philadelphia , could you live off of $14.00 a day...thats about $440 a month!!!!Wefare pays more then that!!
I urge counties to think of the child and the needs they have currently and the unforseen needs of the child in the future before offering the family such a small amount.As the child grow sometimes so does the needs.
Philadelphia how you treat the families and the children you adopt is an isult and you should be ashamed.These families do over and beyone the call of duty and you slap them in the face with barely nothing.But for the love of a child these families adopt.The biggest reward they have in the child and for that they are to be commened not beat up like the last post here.
I hope someone from Philadelphia,Pa reads these 2 post and takes a long hard look at how you treat your families and then STRIVE to be better.....
Besides its all about the children...
In response to the last couple of posts....
I am an adoptive parent and both of my boys receive a subsidy check. These checks are not meant to be lived off of, or to constitute the whole of support for a child.
They are to ASSIST with expenses that are not covered by medicaid, etc.
The money we get goes in part to defray after school costs and the rest into college accounts. The rest- food, clothes, etc. - I pay for, because I AM THEIR FATHER.....
To the last poster:
Thats all fine and great that we are the parents.HOWEVER in certain cases when dealing with "special needs" adoptions situations arise that could not have been detected, some 6, 7 or even 10 years ago.
Thats when a parent should be able to come back to that county to assist.
We are doing whats best for the children in our care,and thats its own reward,however if you adopt an infant and find out 5 years down the road the child has challenges that are NOT covered,being "their FATHER" is not going to help them.
And the same rate of assistance a child got at 2 is a mere drop in the bucket by the time that child reaches 18.
Can you make it off the wages you made in 1990? Well neither should the child!!!!
To the last post, we know for a fact that the subsidy is not meant to live off.I have been at this for many years and you are not telling those of us anything new.
What was said that when you adopt a small child and don not have the full picture until the child reaches school age the county should step in to help and PHILADELPHIA COUNTY does not!!
I ask you, with the cost of everything going up would you be able to make it today on the salary you made 10 years ago?
Well neither should the children whom they "claim" to be so concerned about.
Even the rates of foster care is increasing.
Sure we all know we are parents,but to allow these counties to get by on giving these children less then they would have gotten on
Public assistance is ridiculous and the system needs to change!!
And I am a great parent, my children live in a beautiful home,go to the best schools in the county and are very well taken care of.PLUS I HAVE a great GOVERNMENT job!!!
HOPE THIS ONE GETS POSTED
The Children's Bureau at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has added a question and answer about subsidy to the Child Welfare Policy Manual. The full manual is available online at: www.acf.hhs.gov/jee/programs/cb/laws_policies/laws/cwpm/policy_dsp.jsp?citID=12
Anonymous,
Subsidy agreements are designed to meet the needs of the child, and can not, by Federal statute, exceed what it would cost the county if they had to place that child in foster care. Subsidy agreements may be renegotiated if the child’s special needs increase to a point that more therapy or whatever is needed – even if the issue is a parent having to adjust his or her work schedule to provide more intense supervision. The rationale is if the child was in placement the agency would probably have to pay a higher foster care rate to meet the child’s increased needs. However, just because things cost more in general is not sufficient cause to request a renegotiation. If foster care maintenance payments are raised across the board, a family is entitled to request a renegotiation based on that fact, if their subsidy payments have not been increased as well. (Some counties do that, some do not.)
Basically, a family is entitled to request a renegotiation of their agreement at any time. If the county refuses to do so, the family should file a complaint with the regional Office of Children, Youth and Families overseeing that county. If the county agrees to the renegotiation but refuses the requested increase, a family can appeal the decision and the Board of Hearings and Appeals will conduct a hearing. If you would like to discuss your particular situation, please call AdoptUsKids at 1-888-200-4005 and we can talk.
Sue Zola, RRT from PA.
Yes it is different county by county,however in my case I knew the foster family VERY well and I knew what Philadelphia was paying them and it was and is nowhere near what my child from Philly recieves.
Whats fair is fair here.Seems to them the chidlren are just a number.You can state all the laws and the "whatever" else you want to say,however I would doubt that any foster parent in Philly is recieving $10.00 a day.They say they cannot afford to incease.Yet they hire an expensive Liar to work on their behalf.
I did that, they have their own attorney, an over dressed,overpaid, know nothing about my child "man",who made me feel like I was on trial.The judge,for lack of a nice word who also knew nothing about my child agreed with them.The director,who claims to also have a child from Philly lied with a "WWJD" keyholder aroung his neck.I left that hearing in tears.
It's okay,I am not nor will I ever be in it for the money,nor would I take anything back.I love my daughter and I WILL provide for her.God knows the challenges she faces and will face in the future,but she will know without a shadow of a doubt that I am and will be there for her.
I did that, they have their own attorney, an over dressed,overpaid, know nothing about my child "man",who made me feel like I was on trial.The judge,for lack of a nice word who also knew nothing about my child agreed with them.The director,who claims to also have a child from Philly lied with a "WWJD" keyholder aroung his neck.I left that hearing in tears.
It's okay,I am not nor will I ever be in it for the money,nor would I take anything back.I love my daughter and I WILL provide for her.God knows the challenges she faces and will face in the future,but she will know without a shadow of a doubt that I am and will be there for her.
Post a Comment