What does it cost to foster a child and then adopt it, is it cheaper to do it this way?

Question

Me and my hubby want to adopt a lil girl but I don't know if we can afford the expences. Should we just forget it or is there a way to get out of the expences?

Answer 1

In most foster adopt situations the state will pay for your expenses.  They may also offer a subsidy after the adoption if you adopt a child that has any issues (medical, physical, emotional).  You can call social services and talk to them, they are usually very open to answering questions.  Foster adopt is a great way to go about adopting and there are so many wonderful children waiting on a forever family!

Answer 2

You can do foster care. I think alot of states pay you to take in a child (under 18). My mom does foster care and she's gets like $1400/mo. for the little girl she cares for. The child also gets some money of thier own, like a couple hundred a week. The only thing is with adopting you get to choose what child you want. I think when you do foster care you can select a s*x and age bracket, but that's about it.

Answer 3

There is an adoption tax credit at the federal level (http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc607.html) that you should look into.  Some states also have adoption tax credits that you can qualify for.  Your employer (or your hubby's) may have adoption assistance in the benefits program, too.  Ask the HR department about it.  There are adoption grants that you can submit applications for (do a Google search on adoption grant).

You can foster to adopt.  You'll need to go through the state and graduate their training program, be fingerprinted, background checked, have a homestudy, etc. in order to be approved.  

You don't have to be rich to adopt.  Look into the tax credits and grants & see what you can do.  Adopting through the foster system is nearly without fees.  You'll need to have an income (varies by state) adequate for your current family & the child(ren) you want to bring into your home.

i hope you do the research and make a great decision for you and any children you bring into your home!  Adoption is a wonderful thing.

Answer 4

Adopting and/or foster-adopting through your state's Child Protective Services will cost next to nothing.

It may take time, you may parent an older child, and you will have to have lots of time and patience to meet this abandoned, abused or neglected child's needs, but is is so worth it!

They have education and training workshops which go over all the details.  You can call the state Adoption Unit and get set up to attend the next one, to get all your questions answered.

Good luck!

Answer 5

In most cases, it is absolutely cheaper.  Doing foster care and then adopting the child qualifies you for state help in adopting the child, and many times the adoptive parent receives a small stipend after the adoption as well.  However, realize the risks of fostering a child.  The first goal of the children's agency is to reunite the child with the birthparents, so you may get your heart broken.  However, some agencies ask you if you are willing to adopt right up front, and then try to place children with you that they believe will be eventually adoptable.  Also, try your Statewide Adoption Network.  This is a list of currently available adoptees.  Many are older children, in sibling groups, or have medical issues, but this is a source available to match willing adoptive parents with children who really need them.   These adoptions are usually at very low cost, or subsidized by the state to make it free. God bless you on your endeavor.

Answer 6

Well there are several options you could have.  Bethany Christian has in house grants, and also they provide you with many options as far as financing goes.  Steven Curtis Chapman has a grant called shoehannas hope.  

Catholic Social Services has a prorated program that the adoption fees are bases on your income.

There are places like ABBA Fund that give no interest loans to adoptive couples.

We used Family to Family Adoptions Inc.  We are a one income family, and my husband brings in about $2500 a month.  If we can afford to adopt, I believe anyone can.  

With fostering, which we are doing as well, the costs for adoption are very very low.  However, there is an emotional cost.  You never know if you will be able to adopt the child in your care until it is all done and over with.  You can wait 6 months or 6 years.  And in the end, the child may end up going "home."  We are currently going through a case with an infant that has been with us since I picked him up from the hospital.  It is clear that he will not be going back to his birthmom, but we still will have to wait at least another 6 months (he is 7 1/2 months) to know if he will get to stay with us or have to go somewhere else.  It is an emotional rollercoaster.  

I am not going to tell you adopting through an agency is a bed of roses either.  Our time with Family to Family Adoptions Inc. was great though they really helped us through a difficult time.  Their website is fam2fam.org