Low income and wanted to adopt a child. Is this possible?

Question

my income is almost twenty thousand (not include wife's income)...we have no kids and we want to adopt a child who is 3 years old now...our income is low and are there anyway to adopt this child?he lives with his foster family and we truly love the child but we dont know how much does it cost for the whole process...any idea will help us alot....we lives in KY

Answer 1

sure you can.

Answer 2

adopt through the foster care system.

Answer 3

Yes, you can. You need to convince them why first. But you certantly can.

Answer 4

Yes, it is very possible. Go to your department of human services and talk with them. Find out all the information. Go for it, seriously... there are so many children that need loving homes. Low income isn't so much of a factor if you can provide that child with lots of love. God Bless!!

Answer 5

Yes, you need to call your local CPS office and complete the necessary paperwork for adoptive parents. You will also likely need to submit things like earning statements, background check info, fingerprints, and other information. You will likely need to attend parenting classes. Once you have completed all of that, you can be scheduled for a homestudy.....and upon completion, you will be 'certified' to adopt. then, you will need to speak with your caseworker to find out about a particular child. It is a long process, but not difficult. It took us about 7 months to get certified....and 3 months later, we are about to be parents.....but it often takes longer, and with a specific child, your wait could be very short or far longer, depending on his circumstances.....as for being low income, as long as you can show you are able to pay your bills and are living within your means, your income does not matter to CPS. If he needs extra care, they will supply you with a stipend....they will generally pay for the adoption costs as well, but you need to check with your case worker for specifics. Good luck!

Answer 6

If he is in foster care, the state will pay for most of the cost of adoption....however, you have to show that you are financially able to support a family on your income.  You will receive subsidy for the child...so adoption costs are really not an issue.

I don't know what your debt level is.  When I do assessments I am required to take all debt and income and be sure that income can cover the debt and show a reasonable lifestyle (basics met).

Since I don't know your debt level, I can't answer your question.  If it is $20,000 after taxes you MAY be  ok...but a family of 3 on $20,000 is below poverty in my state.

We'd also need to consider if you have health insurance, life insurance and the whole finanicial situation.  Exceptions are made to place children with family, but usually they like to see a financially stable family.  We aren't looking for rich Jolie-Pitt families, but you must be able to show that you can afford the basics.

I have approved people lower than you, but you need to consider your wife's income too...$20,000 is VERY low and would raise concern.

Foster care and adoption specialist.

Answer 7

I hope that yyou find a child to adopt...I am praying for you both.....

There are lots of adoption support groups online that can help you. Never Give Up!

http://reunion.adoption.com

www.ussearch.com (the first part is free)..and this can tell you where they might live..(city and state)

www.pipl.com

www.zabasearch.com

white pages to find listed people

www.theultimates.com

Great Articles

http://www.adoption-help.org

Support Groups:

http://groups.msn.com/TheForgottenPeople

Yahoo! Groups

http://groups.yahoo.com

SearchingRegistry

familytiesadoptionsearch

adoptee-support

soaringangels

usaadoptiondatabase

touchedbyadoption

Google Groups

alt.birthright

alt.support.adoption

alt.support.adoption

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Adoption Healing ...a path to recovery

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The Adoption Reunion Survival Guide: Preparing Yourself for the Search, Reunion, and Beyond

Being Adopted: The Lifelong Search for Self

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Birthright: The Guide to Search and Reunion for Adoptees, Birthparents, and Adoptive...

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Whose Child? : An Adoptee's Healing Journey from Relinquishment through Reunion ... and Beyond

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Adoption: Uncharted Waters: A Psychologist's Case Studies. . . Clinical and Forensic Issues, With Practical Advice for Adoptees, Parents and Therapists by David Kirschner

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Adoption Healing... A Path to Recovery for Mothers Who Lost Children to Adoption

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Answer 8

yes u can!! good luck

Answer 9

my husband and I adopted 2 children, and we were considered low income as well- they look into other things besides money- so if you feel that you will make good parents from this precious child- go for it- and I will pray that you will be able to adopt

Answer 10

Your heart says it all. Of course you can and I wish you all the luck in the world.

God bless

Answer 11

Before bringing another person under your roof, I would consider getting your finances in line first. Find a better paying job, and get yourself out of the "low income" bracket. Don't bring a child into it if there is a chance you won't be able to provide for them, wait it out until you can, it will be worth it. Having a baby (or child) comes with a LOT of financial responsibility and stress, more than you could imagine, and if your struggling now, you will be so stressed later, and possibly grow to resent your little one.

Workout your finances then reconsider. Like I said, it will be worth the wait, everything happens for a reason (the baby you wanted to adopt and couldn't).

Good luck and God Bless

Toni Lynne  - new mom of a 3 month old baby.

Answer 12

As long as you can pay your bills, you should be fine.  Adopting through foster care is usually free, and they're far more interested in whether you're the best possible choice for this child than how much money you make.  Good luck!

Answer 13

Yes, it is possible. Families who have the ability to pay their bills and provide a safe home are able to adopt children from the foster care system.

The Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) of 1996 established several ways to make it more possible for families to adopt children.

Adopting a child from foster care is generally Free or very low cost. Children adopted from foster care generally have Medicaid or State medical insurance until the age of 18 and in some cases 21. There are Post Adoption Supports which may include support groups for parents and children, access to resources, as well as support for any issues that may come up following adoption.

Many children adopted from Foster Care may be identified as special needs due to birth related issues, age, race or siblings... Families who adopt Special Needs children may recieve additional finacial support with an Adoption Assistance subsidy.... and depending on who we elect for our next President the Adoption Tax Credit of well over $10,000 (which can be used over several years) may be extended past 2010.

Good Luck.... We adopted siblings at the ages of 5 and 1 year old in 2003 and the full cost was ZERO....

*** One Note about adopting a child you know about Now.... Is that each state does decide how to "match and Place" children... The oppinions of the current Foster Family may or may not be considered. It will depend on the policy of the State and the child's caseworker. I have heard of it going both ways--where the state is accepting of people adopting an Identified child specifically or of excluding foster family Friends who have had contact with the child... The best way to proceed with your interest for a certain child is to contact the DHS or CPS office and ask about getting your home study started---and expressing that you know of a child you are interested in adopting...  Either way get started with the Home study as they can take time and as much as you are attracted to this one child--please remember there are at least 120,000 children waiting to be adopted and if you believe in Devine intervention the child that leads you to this idea may not be the child you adopt.... but, the child that you do adopt will be the one you love!