[chickie1221]

B has special needs, is our only child, and not yet 4 years old, so she has more than 14 years of subsidy ahead of her. We are both 50-ish, and whereas I fully intend to stick around for a loooong time , we do have to plan for our daughter's possible future without us. We have named a close friend as B's guardian. Would the subsidy automatically transfer over to her? (Hah! Like anything is "automatic" in NJ...) Do we have to specify this in our Will? Also, the subsidy checks are in my name only. What does my husband do if I die before he does? Are there special forms to fill out now? (there must be forms; this is NJ)

[committedsoul]

I would like to have info on this as well...

[lovemy6]

Adoption subsidies are non transferable. When you die, the subsidy stops. You need to increase your life insurance to ensure that your child is financially cared for when you die.

[irelady10]

Really?

But, if your child is adopted by his new guardians, would a subsidy be given to them?

Also, I thought the subsidy was for the child; if you die, they are still entitled to their subsidy, no (or am I thinking too logically <insert sarcasm>)?

[committedsoul]

See, I was led to believe otherwise. It was my understanding that with the state of NJ, it was at the state's discretion whether or not they continued the subsidy... I was never told that it was an automatic no...

[irelady10]

I just adopted my son ! I was reading over the paperwork I got from the Office of Adoption Operations about his subsidy. In the letter, it mentions the number to contact about, among other things, "a change in payee." This leads me to think that the subsidy can be paid to an adopted child's new guardian should a new guardian be named.

I am going to call them to ask about this; I need to prepare a will and I think that the information about the subsidy should be documented in the will, for the people I name as guardians.

I will let you know what I find out.

[mamala]

Originally Posted by irelady10

I just adopted my son ! I was reading over the paperwork I got from the Office of Adoption Operations about his subsidy. In the letter, it mentions the number to contact about, among other things, "a change in payee." This leads me to think that the subsidy can be paid to an adopted child's new guardian should a new guardian be named.

I am going to call them to ask about this; I need to prepare a will and I think that the information about the subsidy should be documented in the will, for the people I name as guardians.

I will let you know what I find out.

Yeah... please do. I need to be doing the same thing. We're not finalized yet, but still...

[lovemy6]

I was told the other reason the adoption subsidy isn't transferable is bc subsidies are only given when the kids are adopted from a child placement agency or DCFS. Kids who go to live with guardians are not being adopted from foster care.

The kids will collect SSI death benefits upon our death as well as will get our insurance which should last until their majority.

[mommytoEli]

Originally Posted by lovemy6

I was told the other reason the adoption subsidy isn't transferable is bc subsidies are only given when the kids are adopted from a child placement agency or DCFS. Kids who go to live with guardians are not being adopted from foster care.

The kids will collect SSI death benefits upon our death as well as will get our insurance which should last until their majority.

this is not always true. in ca we were told that the subsidy was for the child, not the family...so wherever the child went, the subsidy would follow, and that included to whomever should care for them should we die. we adopted 4 kids, from 2 counties, at 3 different times, and each and every time we were told the same thing...the subsidy was transferrable to whomever we chose to care for the kids if something should happen.