Financial Assistance for Adopting Families

There are several sources of financial help that are available for the adoption of special needs children and for children adopted from foster care.  Financial help for other children is more limited.  We hope that you will find the resources for financial assistance listed below to be helpful.

Government Assistance Programs (in addition to those listed below) for adopting persons and families listed by state.

Financial assistance programs are available in every state to assist both birth parents and adopting families.  Please click the preceding link to view the assistance programs and other helpful information for adopting families in your state.

The Federal Adoption Tax Credit offers you an opportunity to get back up to approximately $11,000 of the money you spent on the child adoption process.

Adoption Taxpayer ID Numbers can take the place of a Social Security Number for tax purposes if there is a delay in obtaining a birth certificate and social security number for your adopted child.

Child Nutrition Programs and Child Nutrition Assistance Programs are available in every state. These programs will give you access to nutrition information and to free and low-cost food.

Financial help is now being offered by many employers to assist with adopting a child.

Medical Assistance Programs are available to help you and your child both during and after the adoption process.

The Family and Medical Leave Act mandates that an employer must grant an eligible employee up to a total of 12 work-weeks of unpaid leave during any 12-month period in regard to a child that is adopted or born to a person or couple.

Financial Help with the adoption of Special Needs Children is available from the federal government and from state authorities.  Children with special needs may qualify for child adoption assistance to help cover the expenses related to their need for ongoing therapy or treatment.  It is critical to know that for both federally funded and state-funded subsidies you must apply and receive approval before the adoption is finalized, so research this option early in the adoption process.

A Child Waits Foundation helps families seeking loans for an international adoption.

Costs of Adopting: A Factsheet for Families gives a general overview of child adoption costs and several resources to help defray child adoption costs for all types of child adoption.

Gift of Adoption Fund provides financial assistance in the form of grants to adoptive parents.

God's Grace Adoption Ministry helps place orphaned children with families and helps families overcome the financial burden of adopting.

Hebrew Free Loan Association provides interest-free loans to Jewish adults who wish to adopt children internationally or domestically.

Help Us Adopt offers grants twice per year to prospective adopters who face significant financial obstacles.

National Adoption Foundation provides financial help and support services to adopting families.

National Adoption Subsidy Resource Center helps educate parents and professionals on Title IV-E Adoption Assistance.

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