Home › Kinship Care
Food Help for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
~2.7M US grandparents are raising grandchildren (Census). "Kinship care" often involves seniors on fixed income absorbing child-care costs. This page lists specific resources: TANF child-only, Kinship Navigator, AAA grandfamily, SNAP deductions, and more.
1. TANF child-only — no grandparent income check
TANF child-only (also called "non-needy caretaker") is cash assistance for grandparents / relatives caring for children where only the CHILD\u0027S income counts (not grandparent\u0027s). This generally guarantees qualification.
- Amount — varies by state and number of children. Typically $200-500/mo per child.
- No work requirements — TANF work mandates don\u0027t apply to grandparent (unlike standard TANF)
- Legal custody — legal custody NOT required in many states. "Voluntary" kinship care qualifies.
- Apply via state human services agency
2. SNAP — for grandparent-grandchild household
- Household size includes child — increasing income limit and potential benefits
- If grandparent is 60+ — medical expenses over $35/mo deduct from income. SS / Medicare / dental typically significant.
- Receiving TANF child-only auto-qualifies household for SNAP — in BBCE states
- Kids auto-qualify for school meals — receiving SNAP / TANF / Medicaid in household
- Child support grandparent PAYS to biological parent (rare but possible) deducts from income. Child support RECEIVED counts as income.
3. Generations United + GrandFacts
- Generations United — gu.org. Leading grandfamily organization. Resources + advocacy.
- GrandFacts State Fact Sheets — gu.org/grandfacts. State-by-state summary of programs / laws / contacts.
- National Kinship Alliance for Children (NKAC) — nkac.org
- AARP Grandfamilies — aarp.org/grandparenting. Comprehensive resources.
- GrandFamilies State Law and Policy Database — grandfamilies.org. State laws relevant to custody + benefits.
4. Kinship Navigator Programs
Under Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA, 2018), states can establish "Kinship Navigator Programs" that connect kinship families to benefits + supports.
- Servicios típicos — help with SNAP / TANF / Medicaid / WIC, pantry connections, legal aid for custody, support groups
- Localizador — gu.org/grandfacts (list by state)
- KSP (Kinship Support Program) federal funding — expanded under Bipartisan Safer Communities Act 2022
5. Legal vs informal custody
| Type | How | Benefits available |
|---|---|---|
| Informal | no paperwork | TANF child-only + SNAP + WIC. Limited for Medicaid / school. |
| Educational Power of Attorney | simple doc, parents sign | + school enrollment, school meals, medical |
| Legal guardianship | family court order | + kinship subsidy / full Medicaid |
| Foster care | CPS system | foster care payment ($400-2000/mo) + full services |
| Adoption | permanent | adoption subsidy + permanent Medicaid |
6. AAA — Older Americans Act Program
- Under Older Americans Act Title III-E, AAAs offer "National Family Caregiver Support Program" (NFCSP) which specifically includes grandparents raising children
- Typical services — respite care, limited financial aid, training, support groups, resource connection
- Eldercare Locator — eldercare.acl.gov or 1-800-677-1116
- Available for grandparents 55+ caring for kids <19 years
7. SSI for kids — if disability
- If grandchild has documented medical disability (autism, birth injury, genetic conditions), may qualify for SSI
- Up to $943/mo (FY26) — paid directly to grandparent as "representative payee"
- Receiving SSI auto-qualifies for Medicaid + SNAP
- Apply via SSA — 1-800-772-1213 or ssa.gov
8. Other resources
- WIC — grandchildren under 5 qualify. Grandparent as "caretaker." If grandparent on SS / Medicaid, auto-meets income.
- CCDBG — Child Care and Development Block Grant. Daycare subsidies allowing grandparent to work / rest.
- School meals — auto-eligible if on SNAP / TANF / Medicaid
- Backpack Program — weekend backpacks
- CHIP — medical coverage if Medicaid doesn\u0027t
- Emotional support — raising grandchildren can be overwhelming. AARP Grandfamilies has line + groups.
Need help today?
- 211 — mention "grandparent raising grandchild" or "kinship care"
- Eldercare Locator — 1-800-677-1116
- Generations United — gu.org/grandfacts
- AARP Grandfamily — 1-877-333-5885
- Apply for TANF child-only TODAY — your state human services agency
Related resources
Last updated 2026-04-30. Feed America Inc. (EIN 92-1761881).