The prospective adoptive family is responsible for completing and sending the following forms to the adoption assistance eligibility unit:

Form 2250 Adoption Assistance Request

Form 2421 Enhanced Adoption Assistance Request

The child’s primary caseworker completes and submits the adoption assistance application. The child’s primary caseworker or the agency responsible for placing the child then completes the adoption assistance packet (see 1714 Program Notification, Application Process, and Responsibility for Cases).

The adoption assistance eligibility specialist reviews the packet within three days of receipt, to determine whether it is complete and contains all required documentation. If the packet is incomplete, the eligibility specialist immediately notifies the child’s primary caseworker and prospective adoptive family in writing of the additional required information or documentation.

The eligibility specialist has five working days to make a preliminary determination of eligibility after receipt of a complete adoption assistance packet.

After the eligibility specialist reviews the packet and makes a preliminary determination of eligibility, the regional approvers decide whether to recommend the child for enhanced adoption assistance.

State Office approval is necessary before negotiations begin.