The Adoption Assistance negotiator generally negotiates a deferred Adoption Assistance Agreement with the prospective adoptive parents when the situation meets both of the following criteria:

• The child receives SSI (the child may also receive RSDI or another monthly payment).
• The child is eligible for Adoption Assistance payments.

The deferred agreement delays payment of the Adoption Assistance benefit until the adoption is consummated. Children’s Income Accounting (CIA) staff forwards the SSI and any other monthly payment that is appropriate to use for the cost of care to the prospective adoptive parents. DFPS remains representative payee of the child’s benefits until the adoption is consummated and keeps the child’s conserved funds in the child’s savings account.

If a deferred agreement was not negotiated, SSI coordinators or CIA staff consults with the state office Federal and State Support division for guidance before issuing any SSA benefits.

After consummation, the SSI coordinator does the following:

• Resigns as the representative payee for the benefits.
• Ensures the following funds are returned to SSA or the entity issuing the monthly payment:
  • All conserved funds, including those in a dedicated savings account.
  • Any monthly benefits received by DFPS after the adoption was consummated.

For additional information on Adoption Assistance and SSI benefits, see:

1715.4 Supplemental Security Income SSI Payments and Adoption Assistance Payments

1577 Establishing a Dedicated Account Using a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Lump Sum