[fosterparent76]

Has anyone had success at getting the post adoption monthly subsidy. I believe it has a different official name. We are in the process of finalizing an adoption of 2 separate kids. Both are 11, almost 12. Does anyone know at what age it's automatic and roughly what includes. Just trying to budget everything out and the social worker has been no help.

[vernellinnj]

Think you're automatically eligible based on the ages - see below. I believe the final foster care rate becomes the adoption subsidy. But, your resource worker can certainly help with this question.

Congrats!


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. Ten years of age or older
2. Two years of age or older and a member of an ethnic group for whom adoptive homes are not readily available
3. Five years of age or older and living with foster parents for at least twelve months and adoption by the foster parents is the most appropriate plan for the child. Note: A child less than five years of age may qualify for adoption assistance under this subsection if s/he is a member of an ethnic group for whom adoptive homes are not readily available
4. Member of a sibling group (including half-siblings) of three or more children and it is considered necessary that the group be placed together (may be placed at the same or at different times
5. Member of one of two siblings (including half siblings) one of whom is hard to place, and it is considered most appropriate that the children be placed together, although it is not necessary that the children be placed at the same time
6. Diagnosed emotional or behavioral problem, psychiatric disorder, serious intellectual incapacity or brain damage which seriously affects the child's ability to relate to his peers or authority figures, including but not limited to a developmental disability
7. Any physical handicap, by reason of physical defect or deformity, whether congenital (present at birth) or acquired by accident, injury or disease, which makes or may be expected to make a child totally or partially incapacitated for education or to secure and hold paid employment
8. Any medical or dental condition which will require repeated or frequent hospitalization, or treatment
9. Any substantial disfigurement, such as the loss or deformation of facial features, torso or extremities
10. Any other condition that may be approved by the Director of the Division of Youth and Family services

2. What are the eligibility criteria for the State-funded adoption assistance program?

In order to be eligible for state-funded adoption assistance a child must be a special needs child as defined above.

[mommy2fiveplus]

A good resourse for this info is NACAC, they give all the criteria on state. Also you will know if your worker has applied for this for your child if you have signed applacation papers for the subsidy. The subsidy has to be aranged PRIOR to the petition for adoption being filed with the court (at least it does in Michigan and a few other states I know of).

[msgypsylee]

Originally Posted by mommy2fiveplus

A good resourse for this info is NACAC, they give all the criteria on state. Also you will know if your worker has applied for this for your child if you have signed applacation papers for the subsidy. The subsidy has to be aranged PRIOR to the petition for adoption being filed with the court (at least it does in Michigan and a few other states I know of).

Mommy is right, you must fill out the paperwork and get it approved prior to adoption or you are out of luck. Also, my son's GAL recommended getting the agreement in writing too because if you don't have something on paper, the state is not obligated to honor the agreement. Apparently this has happened in the past. Your children are older but if they were still in preschool you would be able to keep your daycare stipend as well. If I recall my FS adoption will be around $600 or maybe a bit more.

[RandomReality]

I got the adoption subsidy for my Little Dude. It is the same amount as his foster care subsidy. But be careful - they REALLY screwed up my payments for the first few months. First they paid too little, then they overpaid me and I had to pay it back etc. You have to stay on top of it.