Do Children Adopted in a Different State Receive Financial Assistance?

Question

I am about to adopt my four year-old half sister who was born in Minnesota but now resides with me in California. She is considered a special needs child according to the child psychiatrist (hyperactivity and anxiety) but never wrote a diagnosis in her report, (she simply stated it) and does not qualify for medical assistance, child care assistance, and other programs strictly on the fact that she lives in California now. Our court appointed lawyer doesn't know that the sky is blue half the time and neither does our California social worker so I can't get definite answers from any of them. But if I remember correctly, adopted children are supposed to receive some sort of assistance regardless if their "special needs" or not. I believe the state (Minnesota and California) is trying to encourage me to hurry up and sign the adoption papers without providing me with my and my sister's full rights. Please help me out on this situation? Thanks in advance for your mature answers.

Answer 1

Why would you want to adopt your half-sister if you need financial assistance to take care of her?  Do you want her or the check?

Answer 2

I am not sure, but it may be because the child is not a legal resident of the state, meaning that the state has no responsibility for his/her care.  I am not saying it is fair.

Do you have legal custody of her?   If so, then you should pursue making her a legal resident (which may automatically happen when you get legal custody).

I suggest getting a new attorney.  The old lawyer can only charge you for work that they have done, and must return any unspent money to you.

Answer 3

Once the child is a resident of another state, any state assistance ends.  State benefits do not follow the child out of state although some states have reciprocal agreements with bordering states.  You have to reapply in the state that you are living in (CA).  MN makes exceptions occasionally if the child is moved to the Dakotas.  You need to get your own lawyer and not rely on the court appointed one.

Answer 4

We adopted a special needs child from another state and had the same issue.  However, after getting our governor involved, we learned that new laws had been passed (our adoption was in 2003) and the reason we could not get any answers was that there was confusion on how to interpret the law.  However, that being said, we were able to get it resolved with the governor's help, and we did receive assistance after the finalization was approved from the state we live in (not the state the child was born).  We received monies toward the adoption process (a one-time assistance) as well as medical assistance for our child and we also receive a monthly stipend.  This all from the state we reside in.  Contact your local Dept of Human Services - Children & Youth Division - they should be able to help.  Good luck to you.

Answer 5

where i live and the state next to me ohio and ky you get a check every month food stamps and medicaid for adopted children, or foster children.

Answer 6

Well, I am sorry to say that if your sister has never officially received a "special needs" diagnosis that has a paper trail, there really isn't any assistance that you will be eligable for.

We have adopted two children, one was born in our home state and one was not.  Our daughter is the oldest (almost a year) and she is healthy...she was born out of state.  She doesn't qualify for any special financial assistance just because she was adopted.

Our son is the younger of the two (almost 9 months) he was born in state, but has special needs.  Due to his special needs, we will be receiving financial help for the cost of medical needs, theropy, traveling to and from doctors, and meals & hotels while we are there.  The money does not get paid to us unless we keep receipts and proove that the costs were encured while caring for our beautiful son.  We do not turn in the meals, and sometime not even the hotels.  We feel bad for having the state pay for everything...we are adopting him knowing that he has special needs, and really only need help with the medical cost.  (Unfortunately we wouldn't be able to adopt him if we were to be held accountable for these costs...in his 9 months of of life there has been close to $100000 in medical needs.)

I do hope this helps you out...unless you get a diagnosis on paper...I do not believe you are entitled to any assistance.