Linking Children with Families Adoption Album

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Financial Assistance for Families
Adopting Children with Special Needs

Each year many children in the care of the South Carolina Department of Social Services gain the sense of belonging and permanency they need through adoption. Most of the children now waiting for adoption are those for whom agencies have traditionally had difficulty finding adoptive families. They may have physical or mental disabilities or chronic illnesses. They may be older children, minority children or sibling groups who need a home together. They may require such intensive care and treatment from both adoptive parents and professionals that the typical family would soon be in financial difficulty if help were not available. These children have special needs and may be considered for financial assistance.

Who is eligible for financial assistance?

A child may receive an adoption subsidy if the child has special needs, is legally free for adoption and the adoptive family cannot adopt the child without the financial assistance. The child must meet one or more of the following criteria:

• a white child 10 years old or older.
• a black or mixed race child 6 years old or older.
• a child having or at risk of having a physical, mental or emotional handicap.
• a member of a white sibling group of three being placed together, one of whom is at least 6 years old, or a member of a sibling group of four or more white children of any age.
• a member of a black or mixed-race sibling group of two being placed together, one of whom is at least 6 years old, or a member of a black or mixed race sibling group of three or more children of any age.
• a member of a sibling group of two or more being placed together, one of whom is a special needs child.

What kind of assistance is available?

• monthly cash payment.
• reimbursement for nonrecurring adoption expenses.
• Medicaid.
• assistance for medical and therapeutic services for pre-existing conditions not covered by Medicaid or private insurance.

When does assistance begin and how long does it last?

Financial assistance begins when an Adoption Subsidy Agreement is signed by the family and DSS prior to finalization. This usually occurs at the time of adoptive placement. Adoptive families who have not received assistance may come back to the agency after finalization for a review of their eligibility.

Reimbursement for nonrecurring adoption expenses is available for each child with special needs who is adopted.

The other types of assistance may continue until the child is 18, or until age 21 if the child is a full-time student and financially dependent upon the adoptive family.

How is eligibility determined?

An adoption specialist will evaluate the child’s needs and what the family will require to meet those needs. The child must meet all criteria for a special needs child. The family’s income is not counted, but their circumstances are considered. The adoption specialist and family will decide together on the types and amounts of assistance needed. Periodic reviews may be done to determine if the amounts and types of assistance are appropriate, and changes can be made at that time.

Are children adopted through other agencies eligible?

Some private adoption agencies in South Carolina may serve children with special needs, and such children may be eligible for financial assistance under certain programs. Those programs would be the reimbursement for nonrecurring costs, and the Title IV-E Adoption Assistance Program.

Are children adopted privately eligible?

Families may be eligible for nonrecurring costs, and children with special needs adopted by relatives or who are SSI eligible may be eligible for financial assistance.

What else is available to children with special needs?

South Carolina Tax Benefit for Special Needs Placement

Families may be eligible for a $2,000 income deduction on their South Carolina Individual Income Tax return if they have adopted a special needs child. The deduction may be for or begin in the tax year in which the adoption was made final. A letter from the adoption agency certifying that their adoptive child was a special needs child should be attached to the family’s tax return. Consult the instructions accompanying state tax returns or a tax advisor.

Federal Tax Credits for Adoptive Families

Publication 968 from the Internal Revenue Service explains the criteria and procedure for a tax credit of up to $10,160 for expenses relating to an adoption.

In accordance with Title VI, Section 601 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title V, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the South Carolina Department of Social Services will administer its programs in such a manner that no person shall solely by reason of his race, color, national origin, religion or qualified handicap, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefit of or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity administered by the department.

South Carolina Department of Social Services
Toll Free in South Carolina 1-800-922-2504
State Office Telephone (803) 898-7561
1535 Confederate Avenue Extension
Post Office Box 1520
Columbia, SC 29202-1520

Area Adoption Offices

Area A

714 North Pleasantburg Drive
Suite 300
Greenville, S.C. 29607
(864) 241-1070 / 1-800-868-6595
Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Oconee, Pickens and Spartanburg counties

454 South Anderson Road
Rock Hill, S.C. 29730
(803) 329-9626 / 1-800-922-1537
Chester, Fairfield, Lancaster, Union and York counties


Area B

Children's Center of South Carolina
2638 Two Notch Road, Suite 220
Columbia, S.C. 29204
(803) 929-2555 / 1-888-711-7095
Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Kershaw, Laurens, Lee, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Richland, Saluda and Sumter counties

Aiken DSS Office
P.O. Drawer 1268
Aiken, S.C. 29802-1268
(803) 502-1826 / 1-888-866-8852
Aiken and Barnwell counties


Area C

3346 Rivers Avenue
Suite F
North Charleston, S.C. 29405
(843) 953-9750 / 1-800-922-1518
Allendale, Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties

Orangeburg DSS Office
P.O. Box 1087
Orangeburg, S.C. 29116-1087
(803) 515-1846
Bamberg, Dorchester, Calhoun and Orangeburg counties


Area D

181 East Evans Street, Suite 112
Florence, S.C. 29501
(843) 661-2495 / 1-800-763-6637
Chesterfield, Clarendon, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Marion, Marlboro and Williamsburg counties

For more information on adoption in South Carolina, please call 1-888-CARE-4-US.

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