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Financial Assistance |
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| Table
of Contents
Introduction Direct Service Resources
Informational Resources Appendices
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Financial SupportOnce legal adoption of a child is completed, the adoptive parent assumes primary financial responsibility for that child. However, your ability to provide for your family, including adopted children, can be stretched quite suddenly when financial burdens increase due to medical problems, loss of employment, home repairs, or other unanticipated events. The following is a list of programs that serve adoptive families and other people who are in financial need, some state-sponsored and others from local, statewide and national non-profit organizations. MaineCare (Medicaid)Medicaid is the national health insurance
program for low-income and disabled adults and children. Individual
states handle the day to day administrative functions, such as
enrollment, program development, and payments to medical providers.
MaineCare is Maine’s Medicaid program. MaineCare is
administered by two DHHS Bureaus - the Bureau of Family Independence,
which handles enrollment of eligible children and adults, and the Bureau
of Medical Services, which handles all other aspects of the program,
including prior authorization of services, reimbursement of providers,
and quality assurance issues. MaineCare benefits have been extended to
more people in recent years, as the State has attempted to reduce the
number of uninsured children in Maine through Cub Care, the Katie
Beckett waiver program, and prescription drug programs. Regular Office Visits
Hospital
Care
For
Mothers and Children
Other
Your
adopted child can receive MaineCare benefits under the following
circumstances:
To
find out if your child is eligible for MaineCare, contact your local DHHS
office for an application, or call 1-877-KIDS NOW.
Other
State Financial Assistance Programs
Maine
State Housing Authority Services:
PaS is an alternative to TANF (Temporary Aid for Needy
Families, formerly AFDC) designed for those who want to go to school to
become self-sufficient. This
student aid program provides the same cash benefits as TANF and support
services needed to participate. Other
Financial Resources
Kim D. Wallace Adaptive Equipment Loan
Program
Services:
The Adaptive Equipment Loan Program provides
long-term, low-interest financial loans for adaptive equipment.
The program will lend up to $100,000 to people, businesses or
non-profit organizations to buy adaptive equipment. Children’s
Center Respite Services Services:
Funding for respite care and recreational opportunities for
children with special needs. Federal Financial Assistance ProgramsAdoption
Expense Tax Credit Benefits:
Parents who have adopted children with special needs can deduct
up to $10,500.00 for adoption-related expenses that are not covered by
other assistance programs. Expenses may include reasonable and
necessary adoption fees, court costs, attorney fees, traveling
expenses, and other costs directly related to the adoption process. The
full deduction amount can be accrued over a maximum of five years. For other helpful links on the Tax Credit visit the National Foster Parents Association website www.nfpainc.org/ref/taxes.cfm?page=5. This site includes a link to Casey Family Services “Federal Tax Benefits for Foster and Adoptive Parents and Kinship Caregivers” booklet. Tax laws do change frequently. Please contact the IRS or a qualified tax consultant for the most accurate and up to date information.
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