Raising grandchildren is an enriching experience for many grandparents. However, there are many of them thinking that they need additional financial assistance for grandparents raising grandchildren. It is pretty understandable. Most grandparents are senior citizens or people who are at their retirement age. Therefore, they have limited income, and it seems that raising the grandkids will cost a lot, financially.
Grandparents raising their grandkids is pretty common these days, especially because many problems surround the biological parents. Some of the most common reasons for the adoption are financial hurdles, divorce, domestic violence, etc.
Financial Assistance For Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Programs
Fortunately, there are various programs available that can be used to help you cover the cost of the daily expenses for the child. You can use the saved money for more productive activities or to buy other necessary items.
Health Concerns
Health is one of the first things you have to secure for your grandchildren. You can buy health insurance for them, but if you can’t afford it you can look for help from the government. Eligible children will receive free or low-cost health care service thanks to the Children Health Insurance Program or Medicaid. Typically the Medicaid covers children up to 18 years of age. So if your grandchild is still young, you should go and apply the Medicaid for him.
TANF
TANF stands for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. The assistance can come in various forms, including cash assistance. This cash can be used for any necessary expenses, but the family receiving this assistance must be from low-income families. However, if the grandparent’s family income is deemed too high to be eligible for the TANF program, we encourage you to ask further about the TANF kinship care, guardianship subsidies, or other similar programs that can help grandparents to take care of their grandchildren. See our reference section for more information.
Social Security
Another good place to look for grants for grandparents raising grandchildren is the Social Security Office. Kindly explain that you’re raising your grandchildren and ask if there’s any program in your state that can help you. There are some cases where the children are eligible for the SSI program. You can contact them through their website in our reference section.
Tax Benefits
Another help from the government is the tax benefits. Grandparents raising their grandkids are often eligible for tax benefits that allow them to deduct some amount of money through the program. Some of the notable programs are the Dependency Exemption program, Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Child and Dependent Care Credit, Adoption Credit, Lifetime Learning Credit and also American Opportunity Tax Credit. All of these benefits are available through the IRS. Make a call to 800-829-3676 and ask for publications number: 501, 503, 596, 970, 972, and Form 8839 to be sent to your address or email.
There you go. These are the available help from the government. However, there may be other programs that can benefit you and your grandkids. Go to benefits.org and search for the benefits that are suitable with your condition.
We hope that this post can help anyone out there looking for financial help for grandparents raising grandchildren.
References:
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) – https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ofa/programs/temporary-assistance-needy-families-tanf
- Medicaid – http://medicaid.gov/
- Social Security – http://www.ssa.gov/
- Internal Revenue Service – http://www.irs.gov/
- Image: wmich.edu
