Does your state, territory, or tribe offer a guardianship subsidy or assistance (monthly payments and medical coverage) program?
Yes, for children who are IV-E eligible
- Does the guardianship assistance program differ from the adoption assistance program? Yes
- If so, how does it differ? Difference is the relationships and court status.
Yes. Guardianship assistance is available regardless of the child’s title IV-E eligibility. However, children that qualify for Title IV‐E guardianship assistance are automatically eligible for Medicaid, whereas Medicaid coverage is not provided for children with State funded guardianship subsidies.
Yes. Assistance is available regardless of the child’s title IV-E eligibility. There is no difference between IV-E and State/territorial/tribal guardianship programs, in regards to eligibility and benefits, since they are funded through the State only.
- Does the guardianship assistance program differ from the adoption assistance program? Yes
- If so, how does it differ? There is no reimbursement for legal fees and there are no special services available. Medical coverage for out of state children is dependent upon the rules for eligibility through their state of residence. In addition, adoption subsidy monthly payments are higher. Medicaid is available for adoption subsidy if family lives outside of Arizona. Special services are not available to guardianship subsidy families.
Yes, Arkansas offers a guardianship assistance program.
Yes. Assistance is available regardless of the child’s title IV-E eligibility.
- Does the guardianship assistance program differ from the adoption assistance program? Yes
Yes. Assistance is available regardless of the child’s title IV-E eligibility. There is no difference in benefits or eligibility between IV-E and State/territorial/tribal guardianship programs.
- Does the guardianship assistance program differ from the adoption assistance program? Yes
- If so, how does it differ? In technical ways. For example, Colorado can have a Relative Guardianship Assistance Program (RGAP) with a Petition for Review of Need for Placement (PRNP). PRNP in which RGAP does not require termination of parental rights to occur. RGAP has successor guardianship. In general, the services, assistance, and support are similar. Adoption Assistance and RGAP Assistance can be provided past the youth's 18th birthday until the age of 21 if the youth/parent or guardian meets criteria. Adoption Medicaid (Emancipation Medicaid) can be extended until the age of 21 for those with Adoption Assistance Agreements versus RGAP Medicaid concludes at the youth's at age 18 unless the RGAP agreement continues or if the young adult applies for Medicaid.
Yes. Assistance is available regardless of the child’s title IV-E eligibility.
- Does the guardianship assistance program differ from the adoption assistance program? Yes
- If so, how does it differ? There is no college assistance available to Subsidized Transfer of Guardianship (STOG); there is for adoption. STOG can name successor guardian and, if criteria are met, subsidy can transfer. There is no ability to transfer an adoption stipend. STOG stipend continues through the youth's 21st b-day, provided youth is in school full time. Adoption subsidy ends at 18, however, if a child is adopted after age 16, the adoption subsidy continues until youth's 21st b-day, provided he/she is in school full time.
No. Delaware does not have a guardianship assistance program.
Yes. The District of Columbia has a guardianship assistance program.
- Does the guardianship assistance program differ from the adoption assistance program? Yes
- If so, how does it differ? The District of Columbia Code requires that guardianship subsidy take into consideration the income of the family; this is not required for adoption.
Yes. Assistance is available regardless of the child’s title IV-E eligibility. There is no difference in benefits or eligibility between IV-E and State/territorial/tribal guardianship programs. If the child does not meet the IV-E eligibility criteria, Florida will use State funds.
- Does the guardianship assistance program differ from the adoption assistance program? Yes
- If so, how does it differ? With adoption assistance an individual does not have to be licensed but must have an approved adoption home study (within 1 year of adoptive placement); the adoption subsidy amount is greater than guardianship payments; subsidy payment is also different and additional benefits are available to adoptive parents.
Georgia has not elected to tap in to the IV-E guardianship program, but does operate a State funded guardianship program for children who are IV-E eligible and non-IV-E eligible.
- Does the guardianship assistance program differ from the adoption assistance program? Yes
- If so, how does it differ? The rates are different, and adoption assistance is funded with Title IV-E and State funds whereas guardianship is funded with State funds only.
Yes. Assistance is available regardless of the child’s title IV-E eligibility.
Yes. Assistance is available regardless of the child’s title IV-E eligibility.
- Does the guardianship assistance program differ from the adoption assistance program? Yes
- If so, how does it differ? Special Conditions (i.e. specific supports) can be included in a child's adoption assistance agreement, but are not available in guardianship assistance agreements.
Yes, for children who are IV-E eligible.
- Does the guardianship assistance program differ from the adoption assistance program? Yes
- If so, how does it differ? Adoption assistance does not need to be with kin or fictive kin. With adoption you must have termination of parental rights and with guardianship this is not a necessary requirement.
Yes. Assistance is available regardless of the child’s title IV-E eligibility.
- Does the guardianship assistance program differ from the adoption assistance program? Yes
- If so, how does it differ? The requirements for guardianship assistance differ from the requirements for adoption assistance. Guardianship should be considered as the permanency option when reunification or adoption are not feasible.
Yes. Assistance is available regardless of the child’s title IV-E eligibility. There is no difference in benefits or eligibility between IV-E and State/territorial/tribal guardianship programs.
- Does the guardianship assistance program differ from the adoption assistance program? Yes
- If so, how does it differ? Children can receive assistance to high school completion as well as to age 21 if they have a qualifying diagnosis.
Yes. Assistance is available regardless of the child’s title IV-E eligibility.
- Does the guardianship assistance program differ from the adoption assistance program? Yes
- If so, how does it differ? Permanent custodianship subsidy (up to $300) can be granted to the custodian. Parental rights do not have to be terminated. Adoptive parents may be reimbursed up to $500 per child and parental rights need to be terminated.
Yes. Assistance is available regardless of the child’s title IV-E eligibility.
- Does the guardianship assistance program differ from the adoption assistance program? Yes
- If so, how does it differ? The fictive kin program provides the option of pursuing permanent custody of a child; at that point financial support stops but medical benefits continue. If the guardian is a relative, he/she can apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. Benefits would continue if a guardian chooses the foster parent path and adopts. Then the subsidy would continue like any other adoption case.
Yes. Assistance is available regardless of the child’s title IV-E eligibility.
- Does the guardianship assistance program differ from the adoption assistance program? Yes
- If so, how does it differ? The benefits are the same however the legal obligations are different.
Yes. Assistance is available regardless of the child’s title IV-E eligibility. There is no difference in benefits or eligibility between IV-E and State/territorial/tribal guardianship programs.
- Does the guardianship assistance program differ from the adoption assistance program? No
Yes. Assistance is available regardless of the child’s title IV-E eligibility.
- Does the guardianship assistance program differ from the adoption assistance program? Yes
- If so, how does it differ? The guardianship assistance cannot exceed the foster care board rate. Youth must also be in the home for at least six months.
Yes. Assistance is available regardless of the child’s title IV-E eligibility.
- Does the guardianship assistance program differ from the adoption assistance program? Yes
- If so, how does it differ? Difference center around eligibility of IV-E. When the program switches to State guardianship, children no longer meet IV-E criteria but qualify for State-funded guardianship subsidy instead.
Yes. Assistance is available regardless of the child’s title IV-E eligibility.
- Does the guardianship assistance program differ from the adoption assistance program? Yes
- If so, how does it differ? Eligibility criteria vary
Yes. Assistance is available regardless of the child’s title IV-E eligibility. There is no difference in benefits or eligibility between IV-E and State/territorial/tribal guardianship programs.
- Does the guardianship assistance program differ from the adoption assistance program? Yes
- If so, how does it differ? Specific details may be found on the Minnesota Department of Human Services website
Mississippi does not have a guardianship assistance program.
Yes. Assistance is available regardless of the child’s title IV-E eligibility. There is no difference in benefits or eligibility between IV-E and State/territorial/tribal guardianship programs. Children are eligible for the same services and service amounts regardless of the funding stream.
- Does the guardianship assistance program differ from the adoption assistance program? No, there is no difference between programs.
Yes, for children who are IV-E eligible.
Yes. Assistance is available regardless of the child’s title IV-E eligibility. Benefits depend on the child's individual needs.
- Does the guardianship assistance program differ from the adoption assistance program? Yes
- If so, how does it differ? There are differences in regards to requests for increases in daily rates or other provisions within the guardianship assistance agreement after the guardianship is finalized. There are also variations in regards to Medicaid. The main difference is the IV-E piece since many guardianships in Nebraska are not filed as guardianship assistance program "GAP”.
Yes. Assistance is available regardless of the child’s title IV-E eligibility.
- Does the guardianship assistance program differ from the adoption assistance program? Yes
- If so, how does it differ? The program differs not in the amount of monthly benefit, but in the upfront onetime non-recurring expense amount.
New Hampshire does not have a guardianship assistance program but the Bureau of Family Assistance assists needy children who are being cared for by relatives such as grandparents. This program can provide cash assistance as well as Medicaid.
Yes. Assistance is available regardless of the child’s title IV-E eligibility.
- Does the guardianship assistance program differ from the adoption assistance program? Yes
- If so, how does it differ? Guardianship assistance cannot be transferred to another caretaker should the caretaker pass away or become unable to care for the child. Kinship Legal Guardianship Assistance Medicaid cannot be granted on a non IV-E eligible youth out of State. Medicaid in the other State would have to be means tested.
New Mexico does not offer a guardianship assistance program.
Yes.
Yes, for children who are IV-E eligible.
- Does the guardianship assistance program differ from the adoption assistance program? Yes
- If so, how does it differ? Eligibility is the same, payments differ
Yes. Assistance is available regardless of the child’s title IV-E eligibility. There is no difference in benefits or eligibility between IV-E and State/territorial/tribal guardianship programs. The program is not IV-E funded so the same program serves all eligible children.
- Does the guardianship assistance program differ from the adoption assistance program? Yes
- If so, how does it differ? The difference is in the amount of subsidy
No. Ohio does not have a guardianship assistance program but the State offers a Kinship Permanency Incentive program which provides temporary financial support for minor children in the legal and physical custody of grandparents, relatives or other kinship caregivers.
Yes. Assistance is available regardless of the child’s title IV-E eligibility.
- Does the guardianship assistance program differ from the adoption assistance program? Yes
- If so, how does it differ? A family must meet specific criteria for assistance.
Yes. Assistance is available regardless of the child’s title IV-E eligibility. State funded benefits are only available for children in DHS custody.
- Does the guardianship assistance program differ from the adoption assistance program? Yes
- If so, how does it differ? Eligibility requirements are different but subsidy amounts are negotiated in the same way
Pennsylvania has a Subsidized Permanent Legal Custodianship program that provides for a permanent placement for children who are under the custody of the County Children and Youth Agency who cannot return to their home and for whom adoption is not a suitable option.
Yes. Assistance is available regardless of the child’s title IV-E eligibility.
- Does the guardianship assistance program differ from the adoption assistance program? Yes
- If so, how does it differ? Eligibility requirements are different
South Carolina does not have a guardianship assistance program.
A subsidy may be available to a family member who is granted guardianship of a child who was in the custody of the Department of Social Services. More information may be found on the South Dakota Department of Social Services website.
Yes. Tennessee has a subsidized permanent guardianship program which offers assistance with non-recurring costs of establishing guardianship, ongoing financial assistance not to exceed current foster care payment amounts and Medicaid eligibility.
Yes. Assistance is available regardless of the child’s title IV-E eligibility.
- Does the guardianship assistance program differ from the adoption assistance program? Yes
- If so, how does it differ? Eligibility requirements differ slightly, but benefits are the same.
Utah does not have a guardianship assistance program. However, the State provides a specified relative grant that "kin" relatives may qualify for. Guardianships are rare but occur on occasion.
- Does the guardianship assistance program differ from the adoption assistance program? Yes
Yes. Assistance is available regardless of the child’s title IV-E eligibility. The only difference is in the non-portability of Medicaid for State funded youth.
- Does the guardianship assistance program differ from the adoption assistance program? Yes
- If so, how does it differ? Childcare assistance is not available for guardianship; also, due to the Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance, State-funded agreements have more portable Medicaid with adoption assistance.
Yes. Assistance is available regardless of the child’s title IV-E eligibility.
- Does the guardianship assistance program differ from the adoption assistance program? Yes
- If so, how does it differ? Eligibility criteria differ in regards to special payment services (State funds); these benefits are only available for adoption assistance.
Yes. Assistance is available regardless of the child’s title IV-E eligibility.
- Does the guardianship assistance program differ from the adoption assistance program? Yes
- If so, how does it differ? Difference is only in the negotiation.
Yes. West Virginia has a guardianship assistance program. Specific details may be found in the State Legal Guardianship Policy.
Yes. Assistance is available regardless of the child’s title IV-E eligibility.
- Does the guardianship assistance program differ from the adoption assistance program? Yes
- If so, how does it differ? Eligibility and process are different.
Yes. Assistance is available regardless of the child’s title IV-E eligibility.
- Does the guardianship assistance program differ from the adoption assistance program? No, the only difference is in the relationship and the court status.