District Council Passes Much-Needed Grandparent Caregiver Subsidy
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2005-12-06 11:33:46
When parents can't take care of their children, grandparents often step in.
In the District, more than 8,000 grandparents have taken on this critical caregiving role—many at huge financial sacrifice.
The Grandparent Caregivers Pilot Program Establishment Act of 2005, championed by AARP District of Columbia, will provide low-income District grandparent caregivers with much-needed help by making them eligible for the same subsidy payments as foster parents. It will also cover great-grandparents, grand aunts and grand uncles who are caring for children.
AARP DC congratulates the District Council for passing the legislation on Dec. 6, and making the new subsidy available on March 1, 2006.
Special thanks are due to Councilmember Linda Cropp, who introduced the bill, and Councilmember Adrian Fenty, who helped resolve differences and get the final measure through.
We are also pleased that Mayor Anthony Williams has included $2 million in start up funding in the 2006 budget.
District grandparents, great grandparents and great aunts and uncles will qualify if they are:
- caring for the child/ren in their home
- have a household income that does not exceed:$32,180 for a household of 3; $38,700 for a household of 4; $45,220 for a household of 5; $51,740 for a household of 6; or $58,260 for a household of 7; and $64,780 for a household of 8
- the child/ren ' s parents are not living in their home
In order to apply for the subsidy, they will need to:
- apply for or receive a TANF Child-Only Grant or a TANF household grant
- have formal custody of the child
This is a pilot program and will be available on a first come, first served basis.
If you want us to contact you with more information when the subsidy becomes available in March, please send an e-mail.
The caregiver subsidy is a ground-breaking program for District kincaregivers, heroes who have taken on one of society's most important roles, raising our next generation. AARP believes they deserve our thanks—as well as greater support.
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