North Dakota Kinship Care Program
What is Kinship Care?
North Dakota’s TANF Kinship Care Program provides an alternative to out of home foster care by placing children in the homes of relatives. TANF Kinship caregivers take on the responsibility of caring for their relative’s children and
may experience unexpected costs. TANF Kinship Care is available to help offset such costs.
TANF Kinship Care placements are usually temporary until the child is reunited with parents or moves into a more permanent living situation.
How do I apply?
For more information on the TANF Kinship Care Program please contact the Customer Support Center:
Phone: 1.866.614.6005
Email: applyforhelp@nd.gov
As a relative caregiver, you must work with the child’s foster care case manager to begin the process of applying for TANF Kinship Care.
You will be referred to an eligibility professional who will guide you through the application process for TANF Kinship Care benefits.
How do I qualify?
In order to be considered for the TANF Kinship Care Program, children and relative caregivers must meet the following criteria:
Qualified Children
- Be in foster care under the care, custody, and control of the Human Service Zone, Division of Juvenile Services, or a tribal agency within North Dakota.
- Be under age 18 (unless the child is enrolled in high-school full time and is expected to graduate before age 19).
- Cannot receive Supplemental Security Income.
Qualified Relative Caregivers
- Must be a grandparent, aunt, uncle, sibling (over age 16) or a cousin (age 18 or older) of the child.
- Must complete a TANF Kinship Care Agreement and participate in required background checks.
- Complete an application for TANF benefits and complete an interview. Households will have to pass an income test that is based on the child only.
- Cooperate with the Child Support Division to pursue support from the legally responsible parents.
What are the benefits of participating in the program?
TANF Kinship Care benefits help relatives address the unexpected financial expenses that arise when caring for a child.
Participating in the program may provide the following supports:
- Assistance with child care costs
- Clothing allowance
- May assist with legal fees associated with obtaining guardianship status.
- School and community activity fees (uniforms, activity fees, school pictures, transportation, etc.)
- Transportation costs
- Other Emergency Needs
Please note that reimbursement for the above mentioned costs require approval from the TANF Kinship Care program prior to purchasing.
Foster children enrolled as a recipient of TANF Kinship Care may also qualify for health care coverage under Medicaid.