Understanding Adoption Subsidy Uses

An adoption subsidy, also known as adoption assistance, helps parents who are adopting special needs children. Adoption subsidies were created by congress in 1980 to aid in the adoption of special needs children.

Guidelines are established by each state, but may include mental or emotional disability, medical disability, the age of the child, being a member of a minority group, or adopting a group of three or more siblings.

The amount of an adoption subsidy will vary from state to state and range from $400 to $700 for each qualifying child per month. The amount is based on the the child's disabilities and is not based on your income. Though not designed to cover all the cost associated with raising a child, it is intended to make adoption more affordable.

Your subsidy contract will need to be negotiated. Federal law requires this so they are negotiated to meet the needs of the child. You can renegotiate your child's contract at any time as your families situation and the needs of your child change.

Ideally, the contract should be negotiated before your child permanently moves in with their new family. In many cases, it will take a few days before the adoption agency get to do it. In this case, the adoption subsidy contract needs to be backdated to the day the child moved in.

After a few months to a year, you will need to renegotiate the contract since at this time you will have a more complete picture of what you need to ensure the child's needs are met.

In order to prepare for the negotiation, you will need your new child's state profile sheet and Forever Families report, the child's medical records, psychological evaluations, school records, and any other documentation of the child's special needs.

You will need to request from the state how much your child should receive based on this paperwork. If the state insists that your child does not qualify for the amount requested, you can then request a fair hearing, which is an impartial review of the case.

When your child turns 18, the subsidy comes to an end. In some states, subsidies may be kept active until your child is 21.

The state can only suspend the contract earlier for one of three reasons.
1. Your child is turning 18
2. You are no longer supporting the child or
3. You are no longer legally responsible for the child.

The subsidy contract can also be terminated at any time by you. More information on adoption subsidies are available from the adoption agency.

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