You may be eligible to receive assistance and financial resources to help in raising the child. You can find more information at the end of this manual in the Helpful Resources section. For most government assistance, you need the following: 

• Texas driver’s license or other  picture ID. 
• A Social Security number for each adult and child (or proof that an application has been made for a number). 
• A document that provides proof of relationship to child. 
• Proof of income. 
• Proof of assets. 
• Proof of rent and utilities costs. 

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families 

If you are related to the child by blood, marriage, or adoption, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program may provide financial assistance and Medicaid for the child. If you qualify for TANF and are a grandparent, greatgrandparent, or great-great-grandparent, you may be eligible for an additional one-time payment of $1,000 (called a “TANF Grandparent Grant”) to help buy initial items for the child. 

Kinship Caregiver Reimbursement Program 

Eligible kinship caregivers may qualify for a monthly reimbursement. These monthly payments are time-limited and may be paid for up to 12 months. You can ask your kinship development worker for more information about the program. If you obtain permanent managing conservatorship (PMC) of the child, and all other eligibility requirements are met, you may request a $500 annual reimbursement for child-related expenses for the three years following the award of PMC, or until the child reaches age 18, whichever comes first. 

College Tuition and Fees Assistance 

If you became the child’s permanent managing conservator on or after September 1, 2009, the child may be eligible for free college tuition at: 

• Public colleges or universities.
• Public medical schools.
• Public dental schools. 
• Public junior colleges. 
• Public technical institutes. 

The child must enroll by his or her 25th birthday. For more information, talk to your kinship development worker or the child’s caseworker.

Medicaid/Insurance 

Most children in DFPS custody are covered by STAR Health Medicaid, which includes medical, dental, vision, behavioral health, and prescription healthcare services. STAR Health Medicaid will also cover most training that you need to care for a child with primary medical needs. To use these services, you must use healthcare providers in the STAR Health network. 

Star Health has a tool on its website called Health Passport. It allows you to see the child’s health information like immunizations, doctor visits, medications, and dental visits. You can use STAR Health Passport if: 

• The court or CPS names you the child’s medical consenter (this will usually happen). 
• The child is enrolled in STAR Health Medicaid.  

Ask your caseworker or kinship development worker how to use Health Passport. 

Daycare Assistance 

You may qualify for daycare assistance if you meet certain criteria. Talk to your kinship development worker or the child’s caseworker for more information. 

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program 

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is also known as food stamps. SNAP helps low-income families buy nutritious food from grocery stores (refer to the Helpful Resources section at the end of this manual). 

Women, Infants, and Children Program 

The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program can help grandparents and other relatives buy nutritious food for the children in their care. WIC offers food assistance and nutritional screening to low-income pregnant women, women with infants 11 months or younger, and children younger than 5. Apply for WIC at (800) 942-3678 or at a local WIC office. 

Supplemental Security Income 

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides assistance for grandparents and other relatives raising children who are blind or disabled. Managed by the U.S. Social Security Administration, SSI provides a cash benefit to the child. To qualify for benefits, the child must be younger than age 18 and meet the SSI disability, income, and asset criteria. Children younger than age 18 are eligible for Social Security benefits under Old-Age Survivors and Disability Insurance if the child’s parent is collecting retirement or disability insurance benefits, or if the parent is deceased. Grandparents and other relatives can apply for benefits on behalf of the child based on the work record of the child’s parent. 

For more information, contact a Social Security representative at (800) 772-1213 or go to www.ssa.gov/pubs/10085.html [sic, broken link]. 

Earned Income Tax Credit 

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) helps working people with children. It is available to grandparents and other relatives if they work and have at least one “qualifying child” living with them. To qualify, the relative and child must live in the same home in the United States for more than six months of the year. This tax credit is particularly useful because the relative can get a refund even he or she does not owe income tax.

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