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MINNESOTA ADOPTION ASSISTANCE
What is Adoption Assistance?
Adoption assistance is a reimbursement program based on the child’s documented
needs. This program is run by the State of Minnesota to assist families who have
adopted children who were under state guardianship. The assistance includes
medical assistance, reimbursement for some expenses to address the children’s
special needs and some non-medical costs. In some cases day care assistance and
monthly financial assistance may be available.
Federal subsidies were created by Congress (through Public Law 96-272 the
Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980) to encourage the adoption of
special needs children and remove the financial disincentives to adoption for
the families. Children may receive a federally funded subsidy under Title IV-E
or a state funded subsidy as per state guidelines.
Who is eligible?
Minnesota’s Adoption Assistance Program makes adoption possible for children who
have special needs. To be eligible for state-funded adoption assistance, a child
must meet the following criteria:
The child is a member of a sibling group to
be placed in the same home, in which at least one of the siblings must be 15
months of age or older.
(a) The child is
a member of a sibling group to be placed in the same home, in which at least one
of the siblings must be 15 months of age or older.
(b) The child has documented physical, mental, emotional or behavioral
disabilities.
(c) The child has a high risk of developing long-term physical, mental,
emotional or behavioral disabilities.
Many children who receive adoption assistance have been neglected, abused and/or have medical or neurological difficulties.
DHS Adoption Assistance Program HELPLINE (existing customers)
Hours: 8:30 AM – 12 PM and 1 PM – 4 PM
651-431-4656
Email:
Adoption.Assistance@state.mn.us
Minnesota Subsidy Contact:
PajDaj Chang
Department of Human Services
P.O. Box 64944
St. Paul, MN 55164-0944
651-431-7418
651-431-7491
Pajdaj.chang@state.mn.us
Medical Assistance for Children Receiving Adoption Assistance
Children are eligible for medical assistance if they have current special needs
or are considered high risk for future emotional, behavioral, medical or
learning problems. Medical assistance acts as a supplement to the adoptive
family’s health insurance coverage. If the family does not have health
insurance, the child can remain on medical assistance or managed health care.
Fore more information visit:
http://hcopub.dhs.state.mn.us/03_25_25.htm
The Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program
This program is federally funded through the Chafee Foster Care Independence
Act, which was enacted to help provide opportunities for youth who age out of
the foster care system to attend post-secondary education and training programs.
ETV awards can be up to $5,000 per school year to pay for tuition, fees, books
housing, transportation and other school–related costs. It is designed to
complement the student’s own efforts to secure financial aid to attend
post-secondary school. The program is administered by the Minnesota Department
of Human Services (DHS) through contracts with Ramsey County, Hennepin County,
and Lutheran Social Services (LSS)-Willmar to coordinate the program in their
assigned areas.
For more information visit:
http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/main/idcplg?...
Federal Adoption Tax Credit
Beginning in 2001, President Bush modified the adoption expense tax credit which
provides a tax credit (an amount that can be subtracted directly from the taxes
you owe) for expenses incurred in the adoption of a child who is not the child
of the taxpayer’s spouse. Qualifying expenses include reasonable and necessary
adoption fees, court costs, attorney fees, traveling expenses, and other
expenses directly related to the adoption.
For more information visit:
http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc607.html
Relative Custody Assistance Program
(Used by permission from Hennepin County Foster Care Program)
The Relative Custody Assistance (RCA) state program offers a monthly cash grant
to income eligible relatives and kind who take a transfer of legal custody. To
apply for RCA, an application must be filed within 30 days of a transfer of
legal custody and MFIP (Minnesota Family Investment Plan) must be applie3d for
before payment can begin. The grant amount that the child is eligible for is
calculated by adding the Base Assistance Rate (dependent on the child’s age) and
the Supplemental Assistance Rate.
And income the child receives is counted and will be subtracted from the total
grant amount. Income includes, but is not limited to, the MFIP/TANF received,
Supplemental Security Income, Veterans Benefits, Child Support and Social
Security.
The total grant amount minus the child’s income is the Net Maximum Assistance
Rate. This is the amount that a child could be eligible to receive from Relative
Custody Assistance funds.
The amount you will actually receive is determined by your Annual Gross Family
Income. You can earn up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Guideline and still be
eligible to receive 100% of the calculated Relative Custody Assistance grant.
The Gross Family Income Percentage is calculated by taking your Gross Annual
Income and dividing it by Federal Poverty Guidelines*. The amount is multiplied
by 100 to give you the Relative Custody Assistance Percentage. If this amount if
less than or equal to 200%, you will receive the Net Maximum Assistance Rate.
*For more information, consult United States Department of Health and Human
Services at
http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/09poverty.shtml
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