Grandfamilies Benefits Guide
Help for grandparents raising grandchildren comes from three separate programs with different rules. Most families qualify for two of them, and one does not look at the grandparent's income.
"Kinship care benefits" covers three separate programs. Kinship Navigator programs give free help finding and applying for benefits, with no income test. TANF child-only grants pay monthly cash for the child, and the caregiver's income generally does not count. Kinship Guardianship Assistance (Kin-GAP) applies only if the child was in foster care with you as a licensed foster parent before you became guardian. Most grandparents qualify for the first two and not the third.
What help is there for grandparents raising grandchildren? Many articles treat it as one benefit with one application. It is three programs under different federal laws, each with its own test. More than half of all Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cases nationally are child-only cases, and many of those children live with a grandparent or other relative.
| Program | What you get | Who qualifies | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kinship Navigator | Free help with applications, legal referrals, support groups. No cash. | Almost any relative caregiver | Your state or tribal navigator program |
| TANF child-only grant | Monthly cash for the child | A child living with a relative. Caregiver's income generally not counted. | State TANF or welfare agency |
| Kin-GAP | Ongoing guardianship payments | Relatives who were licensed foster parents for the child first | State child welfare agency |
Layer one: Kinship Navigator Programs
Since 2018, Congress has funded state and tribal Kinship Navigator Programs under Title IV-B of the Social Security Act. They do not pay cash. Staff help kinship caregivers find and apply for benefits, reach legal aid, and join support groups.
Almost any relative caregiver can use one. There is usually no income test and no custody requirement. If you do not know where to begin, call the navigator first, because it can tell you which of the next two programs fits your case. Dialing 211 or calling your Area Agency on Aging will get you the number.
Layer two: TANF child-only grants
This is the monthly check most people have in mind. A TANF child-only grant is paid for the child. Only the child is in the "assistance unit," so the state looks at the child's income and resources. Your income and savings as the caregiver generally do not count.
Many states do not require a custody or guardianship order. A grandchild who moved in informally can qualify. Amounts and rules differ from state to state.
Two things to know before you apply:
- Documents. Expect to show the child's birth certificate and Social Security number, proof of your relationship, and proof that the child lives with you, such as school or medical records.
- Child support. States generally require you to cooperate with child support enforcement against the child's parents. If that could put you or the child in danger, ask for a "good cause" exemption.
A child who gets TANF usually qualifies for Medicaid too, so ask about health coverage at the same visit.
Layer three: Kinship Guardianship Assistance (Kin-GAP)
Kin-GAP is the narrowest program. It is authorized under the optional Title IV-E Guardianship Assistance Program. It pays ongoing assistance to a relative who becomes the child's legal guardian, but only when the child was placed in state foster care with that relative as a licensed foster parent first.
If your grandchild moved in informally and the state never had legal custody, Kin-GAP generally does not apply, however long the child has lived with you. The program is meant to let relatives who fostered a child keep similar financial support after they become permanent guardians.
Why the distinction matters
A grandparent who has heard only of Kin-GAP may assume nothing is available and never apply for a child-only grant, which needs no foster care history. A grandparent who asks a state office for "kinship benefits" may be passed between departments that each handle one program.
Ask for the program by name. At the TANF office, say "I want to apply for a child-only grant for my grandchild." Our Kinship Care Benefits Eligibility Checker asks the two questions a navigator would ask and points you to the right program.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a TANF Child-Only grant and Kin-GAP?
A TANF child-only grant is open to informal relative caregivers and needs no foster care history. Kin-GAP applies only if the child was in foster care with the caregiver as a licensed foster parent before the guardianship.
Does a Kinship Navigator Program pay cash benefits?
No. It helps caregivers find and apply for benefits, legal help and support groups. Cash comes from separate programs such as a TANF child-only grant or Kin-GAP.
Do I need legal custody to get a TANF Child-Only grant?
It depends on the state. Many states pay child-only assistance to informal kinship caregivers without a custody or guardianship order.
Is TANF Child-Only assistance counted as my income?
The grant is paid for the child. Only the child is in the assistance unit, so the caregiver's own income and assets generally do not affect the child's eligibility.
This article is for general educational purposes and reflects federal program rules as of October 2026. It is not legal advice. Each state sets its own eligibility rules and payment amounts. Contact your state child welfare agency or Kinship Navigator Program about your own situation.