Is financial assistance available for individuals adopting?
Loans and grants are available through a variety of organizations, such as adoption agencies, foundations, and banks.
Subsidies and reimbursements may be provided by your state for some adoption costs and for the ongoing care of children with special needs. Each state has its own way of defining children with special needs, but states often agree to include children who are older, have disabilities, belong to a minority group, or must be placed with siblings.
The Child Welfare Information Gateway publishes a fact sheet, “Adoption Assistance for Children Adopted from Foster Care,” with more information on subsidies. The North American Council on Adoptable Children’s Adoption Subsidy Resource Center also provides general information on the subsidy program for each state or province.
View our financial assistance list for additional information.
Adoption tax credits are available for some qualifying expenses in adopting a child, including a child with special needs. The adoption credit is subtracted directly from your tax liability. Learn more at the IRS website: http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc607.html.
Adoption benefits are offered by a number of companies and government agencies as part of the employee benefits package. These range from full or partial reimbursement for qualified adoption expenses, to paid or unpaid time off during and after the adoption. You may wish to contact your human resources department to ask about the availability of adoption benefits. The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption provides an Adoption-Friendly Workplace guide with information for adoptive parents to share with their employers. For more information, visit our Adoption-Friendly Workplace web page, or call 877-777-4222.