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ADOPTING SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN

Grandparent/Relative Caregiver Project
Atlanta Legal Aid Society

WHO ARE "SPECIAL NEEDS" CHILDREN? In Georgia, a child is considered to be "Special Needs" if he or she is in one of the following categories:

(a)     a child who has been in the care of a public or private agency or individual other than the legal or biological parent for more than 24 consecutive months;

(b)     a child who is a member of a sibling group of two or more placed in the same home; or

(c)     a child with a physical, mental or emotional disability, as validated by a licensed physician or psychologist.

IS THERE ANY TYPE OF ASSISTANCE FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS? Yes. Adoption assistance may be available for "special needs children" in limited circumstances.  This assistance is provided through your local Department of Family & Children Services (DFCS).

WHAT TYPE OF ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE? There are four types of assistance:

1.   Monthly Maintenance Assistance.  This monthly benefit, often called an "adoption subsidy," is designed to help you with meeting the child's special needs.  The money is intended to cover expenses such as clothing, special dietary needs, ordinary medical and dental care, special education needs, and preschool daycare.  See below for information on qualifying for this benefit.

The current basic monthly amounts are:
(a) $387 for a child 5 years old or younger,
(b) $410 for a child 11 years old or younger, and
(c) $433 for a child 12 years old or older, up to 18. 

The child may qualify for a higher amount if the child has severe needs.  If you think your child has serious needs, ask your caseworker about a "level of care determination."

2.   Medicaid.  You can get this important health insurance coverage if your child qualifies for the monthly subsidy.

3.  Nonrecurring Adoption Assistance Benefits.  You can get this important benefit to help pay for the adoption.  It covers attorney's fees, court costs, and other one-time expenses directly related to the adoption of a child with special needs.  The maximum amount you can get is to $1,500 per child.  The reimbursement amount cannot include any costs or fees related to termination or surrender of parental rights.  You will have to send your caseworker a copy of the bill from your attorney or ask your attorney to send the bill directly to your caseworker.

4.   Special Services Adoption Assistance.  This benefit is a one-time special benefit.  It can cover expenses not covered by Medicaid or by the monthly subsidy or through other community resources.  Expenses that might qualify include expenses for orthodontics, prosthetics, psychological counseling, daycare, and respite care.This benefit is generally only available to children who have been previously in the custody of DHR (Georgia's Department of Human Resources).  This benefit is not available to every child every year because approval depends on the amount of money available each year.  Unlike other adoption assistance benefits, DHR may take the adoptive parents' income and resources into account when determining the amount of the benefit.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER REQUIREMENTS TO GET THE MONTHLY SUBSIDY?Yes.  To get the monthly subsidy, the child must be special needs (see above). 

The child must also meet one of the following requirements:

a)      The child is getting SSI (Supplemental Security Income from Social Security).  OR

b)      The child was in foster care (however, not all children having been in foster care will qualify).  OR

c)      The child was adopted before and qualified for the monthly subsidy after the previous adoption.

CAN DFCS CONSIDER MY INCOME? In general, no.  Your income does not matter for the monthly subsidy.  There are two exceptions:

a)       You are asking for more than the basic monthly amount for the monthly subsidy.

b)       You are asking for special services adoption assistance.

HOW DO I APPLY? You should go to the DFCS office in the same county that you are adopting.  You will have to complete an Adoption Assistance Agreement.  You must fill out this form after you have filed the adoption with the court but before you get the adoption order.  Ask the caseworker for a copy of all papers you sign.  If DFCS will not let you apply, call the State Office of Adoptions at (404) 657-3558.

WHAT IF I AM DENIED BENEFITS? If you are denied benefits, you have the right to appeal.  Once you get a letter or other papers denying your application, you have 30 days from the date on the letter or papers to appeal. 

If you have questions about asking for an appeal or going to court for your appeal, please contact the Atlanta Legal Aid Society or the Georgia Legal Services Program.