Kinship payments are money the state sends to relatives raising children who are not their own
A kinship payment is a monthly cash benefit paid by your state to a relative (grandparent, aunt, uncle, older sibling, or other family member) who is raising a child whose parents cannot care for them. The money comes from state and federal child welfare funds, not from the parents themselves. The relative does not have to adopt the child to receive the payment—they simply need to be the child's primary caregiver and meet the state's income and custody requirements.
Kinship payments exist because many children enter the care of relatives outside the formal foster care system. A grandparent might take in a grandchild when a parent dies or becomes incarcerated. An aunt might raise a niece when the child's mother struggles with addiction. These arrangements happen in families every day, and kinship payments help relatives afford food, housing, and basic care without having to go through adoption or the full foster care system.
The amount varies by state and by the child's age. Some states pay kinship caregivers the same rate they pay licensed foster parents; others pay less. A few states have no kinship payment program at all and instead direct families to other assistance like TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) or SNAP (food assistance).
Key Takeaways
- Kinship payments are state-funded monthly cash benefits for relatives raising children whose parents cannot provide care.
- You do not need to adopt the child or go through the foster care system to receive kinship payments in most states.
- The amount paid depends on your state, the child's age, and sometimes the child's relationship to you.
- To receive payments, you typically must have custody or guardianship of the child and meet your state's income limits.
- Some states offer kinship payments through child welfare programs; others direct families to TANF or other assistance programs instead.
How kinship payments differ from foster care payments
Foster care payments go to licensed foster parents who have completed training and home inspections and whose homes are monitored by the state. Kinship payments go to relatives without those requirements. A relative can become a kinship caregiver immediately; a foster parent must complete paperwork, training, and a home study first.
Foster care is typically temporary—the goal is reunification with the parent or adoption. Kinship care is often permanent; the relative may raise the child until adulthood. Foster parents receive ongoing caseworker support and access to training. Kinship caregivers may receive less support, though this varies by state.
Foster care payments are usually higher than kinship payments because foster parents have more regulatory burden. A kinship caregiver in one state might receive $400 per month; a foster parent in the same state might receive $600 or more. However, some states have moved toward paying kinship caregivers at foster care rates to reduce the financial gap.
Who can receive kinship payments
You can receive kinship payments if you are a relative of the child and are the child's primary caregiver. "Relative" typically means grandparent, parent (in some cases), aunt, uncle, sibling, or cousin—but the exact definition varies by state. Some states include only blood relatives; others include step-relatives and in-laws.
You must usually have legal custody or guardianship of the child. In some states, informal arrangements (where the child simply lives with you) may be enough to start the process, but formal custody is required to receive ongoing payments. You will need to show the court or your state's child welfare agency that the child's parents cannot care for them and that you are fit to be the caregiver.
Income limits apply in most states. If you earn above a certain threshold, you may not receive kinship payments. The limit varies widely—some states set it at 200% of the federal poverty line; others use 300% or have no limit at all. Your state's child welfare office can tell you the exact threshold.
How to start receiving kinship payments
Contact your state's child welfare agency or department of social services. You can find the right office by searching "[your state] kinship care program" or calling your local child protective services office. Some states have a dedicated kinship navigator or hotline; others handle kinship payments through the same office that manages foster care.
You will need to provide proof of custody or guardianship (a court order), proof of the child's relationship to you (birth certificate), proof of your income (pay stubs or tax returns), and proof of your residence. Some states require a home visit before payments begin; others do not. The process typically takes four to eight weeks from application to first payment, though this varies.
If the child is already in the state's foster care system, the process may be faster because the state already has documentation. If the child is in your care informally, you may need to file for guardianship first. Your state's child welfare office can walk you through the steps specific to your situation.
How much kinship payments cover
Kinship payments are meant to cover the child's basic needs: food, clothing, shelter, and household expenses. The money goes to the caregiver, not directly to the child. You are expected to use it for the child's benefit, but there is no requirement to account for every dollar spent.
The amount is typically a flat monthly rate based on the child's age. A younger child might receive $300 per month; a teenager might receive $400. Some states adjust the rate based on the child's relationship to you (a grandparent might receive more than an aunt) or based on special needs. A few states tie the payment to the foster care rate, which changes annually.
Kinship payments do not cover medical care, therapy, or education costs in most states. However, the child may be covered by Medicaid automatically or through a separate process. Some states offer kinship caregivers access to subsidized childcare or respite care (temporary relief care). Ask your state's child welfare office what additional support is available.
What happens to kinship payments when circumstances change
Kinship payments continue as long as you have custody of the child and meet your state's requirements. If your income rises above the limit, payments may stop or reduce. If you move out of state, you may need to reapply in your new state or lose payments. If the child's parent regains custody, payments end.
If you adopt the child, kinship payments typically stop, but you may become may be able to access for adoption subsidies instead. Adoption subsidies are similar to kinship payments but are tied to the adoption agreement and may continue longer. Some states allow you to receive both for a transition period; others require you to choose one.
If the child turns 18, kinship payments end in most states. A few states extend payments to age 21 if the child is in school or has a disability. Check with your state's child welfare office about what happens when the child reaches adulthood.
Kinship payments and other assistance programs
Receiving kinship payments may affect your may be able to access for other programs. In some states, kinship payments count as income when you apply for SNAP (food assistance) or housing assistance, which could reduce your benefits. In other states, kinship payments are excluded from income calculations. This varies significantly, so check with your state's benefits office before applying.
If your state does not have a kinship payment program, you may be directed to TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) instead. TANF is a general cash assistance program that does not require you to be related to the child, but it has stricter work requirements and time limits. Some states offer both kinship payments and TANF; others treat them as alternatives.
The child may also be covered by Medicaid, receive SNAP benefits in their own right, or be covered by the caregiver's health insurance. These programs operate separately from kinship payments and do not reduce the kinship payment amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to adopt the child to receive kinship payments?
No. Kinship payments are available to relatives with legal custody or guardianship. Adoption is not required. However, if you do adopt, kinship payments typically end and adoption subsidies may begin instead.
What if the child's parent wants to take the child back?
If you have legal custody or guardianship, the parent cannot simply take the child. They would need to go to court and convince a judge that returning the child to them is in the child's best interest. Kinship payments continue during any legal dispute unless a court orders otherwise.
Can I receive kinship payments if I am not related by blood?
It depends on your state. Most states limit kinship payments to blood relatives or relatives by marriage. A few states include close family friends or other caregivers in their kinship programs. Contact your state's child welfare office to learn the exact definition in your state.
What if I cannot afford to wait for kinship payments to start?
Some states offer emergency kinship assistance or expedited processing. You may also be able to receive TANF or SNAP while your kinship payment application is pending. Ask your state's child welfare office about bridge assistance or faster processing options.
Do kinship payments stop if I move to a different state?
Kinship payments from your original state typically stop when you move. You would need to apply for kinship payments in your new state, which has its own program, rates, and requirements. Some states have reciprocal agreements, but most do not. Contact your new state's child welfare office immediately after moving.