What is adoption assistance?

Answer 1

An adoption subsidy, or adoption assistance, is a government benefit to offset the costs of adopting and raising a special needs child. The benefit may take the form of one-time and monthly payments, medical equipment, and post-adoption services such as respite care, counseling and day care.

In the U.S., a one-time payment can cover homestudy fees, court costs and attorney fees. Monthly payments are based on a child's needs or eligibility (not family income) and continue until the child is 19 (sometimes 21). For federal and state programs, see Adoption Subsidy in the U.S.,http://www.nacac.org/adoptionsubsidy/us.html by the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC). The definition of "special needs" varies by state.

In Canada, parents adopting children with special needs may get a payment to defray unusual expenses, such as medical and dental expenses, counselling services and therapy not covered by health insurance, availability of social workers for advice, and respite care. Amounts and types of subsidies vary by province. For a survey of subsidies, see Canadian Adoption Assistance Profiles,http://www.nacac.org/adoptionsubsidy/provincialprofiles.html by NACAC. One province offers benefits for any public adoption; see "Alberta offers benefits to adoptive parents", http://www.familyhelper.net/news/081208alberta.html.