Financial Help Available 
To Those Raising  Grandchildren 

When we take on the responsibility of raising our grandchildren, we do so with love and sometimes regret that the child's situation has reached the point where we must intervene. When we planned our lives we never expected to be raising a second set of children.  For some of us the additional financial burden of raising a child again, providing for the food, clothing, medical, and educational needs can break the budget. Some of us are living on fixed incomes that do not cover these extra expenses. This page is to help you find funds if you need them to help give your grandchildren the best life possible. 

Welfare Programs 
TANF 
The AFDC (Aid to Dependent Families) program no longer exists. It has been replaced by the TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) program, which is run by the states. The states, however, must follow federal guidelines, including these two rules affecting grandparents. 

Adults cannot receive TANF benefits for more than 5  years. 
Adults who receive TANF benefits must get a job within 2 years. 

Do You Need Support for both YOU and Your Child? 

There are grants available if both you and your grandchild(ren) are in need of support. You will also get  medical insurance coverage along with the monetary grant as well as food stamps to help with the groceries. Apply to your state social services agency to see if you qualify for these funds. There are some requirements listed below. 

You must have a job within 2 years (some states may allow less time for you to get a job or do community service) 
 You do not have to get a job if: 
 your grandchild is younger than 12 months 
you cannot find childcare for a grandchild under 6 years 

Do you need money just for the support of the child? 
 Most Grandparents are eligible to receive funding for children with a "child-only grant"  This is money paid to the grandparent by the government for the benefit of the child or children. The amount varies from state to state due to the differing cost of living in each area. (Here in Connecticut I get $333 a month for one child while a friend in Georgia gets much less for 3 children.)  Your qualifying child gets medical insurance coverage along with the monetary grant and you may qualify for child care assistance.. Apply to your state social services agency to see if you qualify for these funds. With a Child Only grant; 

You don't have to work 
If you and/or your spouse do work your income is NOT counted  as to what the child is granted. 
Your grandchild will probably not lose benefits after 5 years 

OTHER TANF RULES 
 if your grandchild comes to you from another state,  the rules of the home state may apply for up to 12 months 
if your grandchild's parents are under 18 and not married, they may have to move home or attend school 
most new immigrants cannot receive TANF benefits  for 5 years 
legal immigrants who were receiving benefits before welfare reform may have their benefits canceled 
Food Stamps 
The Food Stamp Program helps low-income people pay  for food. Those eligible for Food Stamps use either coupons or a debit card just like money to buy food at any participating store, supermarket, or food co-op. Eligible households do not have to pay for Food Stamps. 
Who Qualifies? 
 Unlike most other public benefits, this program  looks at the income and resources of the household, instead of individuals. Income  includes money that comes into the household each month from Social Security, wages, or other sources. Resources refers to the value of items owned and money left at the end of the month. 
 Some income and resources are not "counted" in  determining eligibility. For example, the value of a  house is an exempt resource. To qualify for Food Stamps, the monthly net income for a one-person household must be no more than $658. Income  for a two-person household must not exceed  $885.
 How Much Could Someone Receive? 
The amount of Food Stamps a person can receive depends on the total income of all persons in the household. The monthly benefit may not be enough to cover all food expenses. However, the amount received will help by reducing how much the person has to spend on food and increasing the money available to cover other needs, such as medicine and utility bills. 
Medicaid 
Medicaid helps people with low  income pay for medical bills.  Medicaid is not the same as Medicare. Both programs provide health coverage, but Medicaid provides health coverage for people of all ages whose incomes are low.  In many states, persons receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are automatically eligible for health benefits under Medicaid. 
Who Qualifies? 
 To qualify for Medicaid, an individual or couple must meet income and resource 
 guidelines. Income includes money received each month from Social Security, employment, or other sources. Resources refers to the value of items owned such as cash and savings. Some resources, such as the home and one car, are not counted in determining Medicaid eligibility. To qualify, individuals must be U.S. citizens, with some  exceptions for certain non-citizens. 
 What Benefits Could Someone Receive? 
Medicaid pays for basic health services. And it may even pay for some services not covered by Medicare such as medicine, nursing home care, eye exams, glasses,  transportation for medical care, and other medical services. 

To take advantage of these programs contact your state social services department. 
 

Social Security 

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
     (SSI) pays monthly cash benefits to individuals with limited income and  limited resources.  The Social Security Administration administers this federal program. If eligible,  individuals may receive both SSI and Social Security benefits. And, in most states, a  person who is receiving SSI benefits is automatically eligible for health benefits under  Medicaid. 
Who Qualifies? 
  To qualify for SSI, individuals or couples must  meet certain guidelines. They must be aged  65 or older, or blind, or disabled. They must be  U.S. citizens, with certain exceptions for  non-citizens. They must not have resources  (cash and savings) of more than: 
                                    $2,000 ( 1 person) 
                                    $3,000 ( 2 person) 

Certain resources, like the home, a small burial fund,  or one car, usually do not count. To be eligible for  SSI benefits, monthly income must not exceed : 
                                    $514 ( 1 person) 
                                    $761 ( 2 person) 

How Much Could Someone Receive? 
 The amount of the SSI benefit will depend on the income an individual or couple receives. The  maximum monthly federal SSI benefit is:   $494 ( 1 person)   $741 ( 2 person)  Many states provide extra income above the federal  guidelines. 

Social Security Retirement Benefits And Grandchildren 

NOTE: This section was copied directly from the official Social security web site. 

"     A fairly recent phenomenon in American households is the growing incidence of grandparents taking over as parents for their grandchildren. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 3 million of America's 70 million children now live with their grandparents. Whatever the reason, more and more grandparents find themselves assuming the role of parents. And when this happens, it's helpful to know that Social Security may be able to help with the financial burden. 

     If a parent is deceased or drawing disability or retirement benefits, the children may qualify for benefits on that parent's earnings record. If that's not the case, then Social Security may recognize the grandparent as the "parent" for benefit purposes. 

     When the grandparent retires, becomes disabled, or dies, the grandchild may then be able to qualify for benefits if certain conditions are met. Generally, the biological parents of the child must be deceased or disabled, or the grandchild must be legally adopted by the grandparent. 

     In addition, the grandchild must have begun living with the grandparent before age 18 and received at  least one half of his or her support from the grandparent for the year before the month the grandparent became entitled to retirement or disability insurance benefits or died. Also, the natural parent(s) of the child must not be making regular contributions to his or her support. 

     If the grandchild was born during the one-year period, the grandparent must have lived with and provided at least one-half of the child's support for substantially all of the period from the date of birth to the month the grandparent became entitled to benefits. 

     The grandchild may qualify for benefits under these circumstances, even if her or she is a  step-grandchild. However, if the grandparents are already receiving benefits, they would need to adopt the child for it to qualify for benefits."