Kinship Care

There are times when children cannot remain in their own homes. Many children are fortunate to have a kinship caregiver step up to the plate when this situation arises. Kinship Care refers to a temporary or permanent arrangement in which a relative or non-relative adult who has a long standing relationship with the child and/or family has taken over the full-time care of a child whose parents are unable to do so for various reasons.

Kinship care includes those relationships established through the legal system as well as those established through informal arrangements.

Benefits Available to Kinship Caregivers

Cash Assistance - apply at SCOJFS (855)-726-5237 and ask for “Child Only” TANF or OWF assistance. Eligibility is based on the child’s situation, not the caregiver’s income.

Medical Assistance - apply at SCOJFS. Eligibility is based on the child’s income, if they are not already covered on a health insurance policy, the child is likely to be eligible for a Medicaid card.

Food Assistance - apply at SCOJFS. This benefit is available for low income caregivers that are working. Eligibility is based on household income.

Child Care Subsidy - apply at SCOJFS. This benefit is available for low income caregivers that are working. Eligibility is based on household income.

Kinship Permanency Incentive Assistance - Financial supports available for qualifying permanent kinship families. Apply at SCOJFS. Call (855)-726-5237 and ask for the Kinship Program.

So Why Kinship? While the child protection system works to strengthen families that are struggling to positively care for their own child, kinship caregivers offer an important option when the child cannot remain safely in their own home. Studies show that children have far better outcomes being placed in kinship care as opposed to foster care. And while foster care is a valuable and necessary resource in many cases, we know that children grow better living in safe, familiar homes.