[excited2adoptsoon]

I absolutely hate bringing up money issues ...but here's my story.

Hubby and I normally have sufficient income to provide for our family. In case our FD got sick, we had a plan in place - she goes to daycare at our local hospital and it's VERY VERY inexpensive. It's a godsend. Well we found out they will not accept FD with certain diseases that are very contagious. FD has had MRSA three times now and she gets incredibly sick from it. She gets very high fevers, vomiting, bad sores, etc. So hubby or I have to stay home from work with her (unpaid and mad bosses!). It's been a total of about 30 days of work we've missed (combined) in the last 4 months. I love FD SOOOO much and would not consider leaving her in respite, especially when she's not feeling well. The hospital daycare worked out perfectly because she knows the daycare provider and is very happy staying with her.

Well now I need to think of what hubby and I can be reimbursed for to compensate for all our lost wages (we are not paid to miss work). I definitely don't expect to be compensated for nearly the amount we lost ...but even $10 makes a difference to us. FD's previous SW told us to submit our medication costs (medi-cal did not cover it all) and I thank god we got reimbursed for that. I don't want to make a big issue of this for two reasons (1) we treat FD as our own and if she was our own we wouldn't collect a penny..and we're just greatful that we receive our monthly check of $400 and (2) we are in the process to adopt another child and how bad does that look that we are struggling with one but moving forward for a second child.

Soooo, my question is this: Is there any expenses that you guys know of that we can be reimbursed for in addition to our montly stipend? We never got the clothing allowance...but she was sent with TONS of clothes so I'm not going to ask for that. So far the only thing we have submitted was the medications. Thoughts?

[bethy724]

Her daycare could be covered by NCI-I would also ask for the clothes stipend - everybody could use more shoes!!! You are also elegible for WIC-even though she is too old for formula; as a toddler you get cereal, milk & cheese-it adds up & you are elegible. Good luck- I would hope your case worker could puul some resources & help you out.

[excited2adoptsoon]

Thanks so much bethy. Do we automatically qualify for WIC just being fosterparents, regardless of our income? And if so, how do we apply? I know nothing about wic.

Her daycare is covered except the hospital daycare...but I pay for that and it only comes to $8 a day (long story but basically they gave me a special rate).

I will ask for the clothing allowance this year... I really need to buy her a new comforter, etc. for her bedroom. The only reason I don't need clothes is b/c FD came to us heavy and she lost some weight. Most her brand new clothes from her previous fosterparent are too big. Also my family went nuts and bought TONS of clothes an toys...so we didn't have to invest a penny in that.

Thanks again!

[tvs4]

I don't know of anything to help with income but in our county daycare was paid by the county ... with out that I'm not sure we could have afforded foster care. The county also kept a list of approved daycare providers for foster care so you might be able to find another provider who could take your daughter - but nearly 100% of daycares have state or county rules about contagious diseases.

Our county could also reimburse us for medications and transportation to medical appointments.

You might also want to check and see if there is a foster parent association in your area. There maybe some families with a stay-at-home parent who could help you out once in a while and you could return the favor another day.

For WIC, when I worked for WIC foster children are automatically qualified because they can apply as a "family of one" by themselves and have obviously no income. Look on line or in the phone book for the nearest WIC office and ask them what to do. Each state has slightly different WIC rules (it is a Federal program but given to states as a block grant to administer) so some states the age limit that children can recieve WIC benefits is different than others. They will also be able to tell you what paperwork you need to bring and get an appointment for you.

[excited2adoptsoon]

By the way, I guess I should mention the real reason we are struggling financially is that we own a home that has a $3 K mortgage...and it's a small three bedroom home in a VERY high cost of living area. I would do ANYTHING to move to a lower cost of living area and foster/adopt more kids, but my hubby has two kids from a previous marriage here...so that's not an option. He also has to pay $1200 in child support.

In the future, I don't see us financially struggling...it's just a point in our lives where we are hit with alot.

[Boulderbabe]

This won't help get more money from DSS, but it might help it stretch further. Have you tried the Dave Ramsey Total Money Makeover? It can be a huge help in paying down debt and freeing up some extra cash.

I'm on it, and I am within $900 of paying off all my credit cards....

[Natnclay]

Our state doesn't pay for child care.
What is NCI?

[stevenstwin]

Shouldn't they be able to give you a list of what you are eligible for? I can claim things like mileage over a certain amount and lots of other "unusual" expenses (I haven't claimed much but there's stuff I COULD).

[bethy724]

All you need for WIC is for her to be on Medicaid-it has nothing to do with your income. Bring her Medicaid & shot record & it may take about 1 hour. It really helps out - you get cheese, eggs, rice, cereal & milk (& maybe more) you get more than the child could possibly eat so it should help your family as a whole.

Good luck & there is nothing wrong with getting EVERYTHING your child is elegible for - there may be more in your area - hopefully your sw has more resources.

[bethy724]

NCI is Neighborhood centers Inc. In TX some foster children qualify-perhaps your state has something similar-it is a part time job to receive all that your child is elegible for.

[mijojosmom]

You should be requesting a special rate for this kiddo.
Under certain circumstances you can get a "special rate" which will help to offset some of the costs of caring for a "special needs" child.
Our first foster child was special needs and didn't even have to request an increased rate. Normal rate would have been $387 a month for him and because of his needs we received $1100 a month.
Our second foster child...who we later adopted...did not come with a special rate. After being asked to find a new daycare because he was so needy, we mentioned that he was so needy and within a week had been increased to a special rate. Again the normal rate was $378 and we received $790 a month for him.
It is surely worth a try.
Good luck.