Should I be getting paid to raise my nieces and nephews?

Question

My husband and I have been raising our four nieces and nephew for close to 5 years now. We have legal temporary custody on all 4, and guardianship on 1. The guardianship was gotten because of a birth certificate issue. The temp custody can only be taken if the parents come to the county and attest or if we go to the courthouse and sign the children back over to the parents. We receive Medicaid for all of them because we fit into that financial class. We have not asked DFACS for anything else....mostly because we do not know what we should get, if anything. I am sure they run off of a don't ask, don't tell policy ( I would if I worked for them...look at all the people getting benefits). Anyway, I have a friend who's deadbeat daughter has been in trouble. My friend has been trying to get custody of her 2 grandchildren and, according to Children Services, will get temporary custody as of Monday next week. Keep in mind, we live in the same county. DFACS is telling my friend she will be getting either 300 or 400 a month for each child. My question is this.....why? Is this something my hubby and I might qualify for? I know I am going to get responses that say ask my social worker....AND I WILL, so please don't waste my time with that. It is just our social worker is kind of a dingleberry and a ditz. I want to know if it is a legit question before calling her and losing a few points on my iq, you know? Any help or resources would be greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

Well, did you attempt to get the assistance? From your post, it looks like you have not tried. You really need to contact DFACS and apply for the assistance before posting here.

Answer 2

it really depends on your income

you and your husband may make more than the grandmother

Answer 3

Providng they are still alive and not in prison etc.........

Biological parents are obligated to support their own children.  Sure, yea, you should be getting money from them.

Answer 4

the grandmother with custody of my grandchildren, does get child support from the parents.  I don't see that as wrong/ unreasonable, since it is toward the cost of raising the children.

It isn't clear of what your friend is getting is a subsidy from the state or child support.