Parents who are considering adopting a child who has certain types of needs may be able to qualify for various state adoption assistance programs. In New Jersey alone, there were nearly 1,100 adoptions in 2011, which means that qualifying for an assistance program isn’t always simple and straightforward. Before you begin the adoption process, you should take a look at the qualification requirements to determine if one or more of the assistance programs would apply to your situation.

What Are New Jersey’s Adoption Assistance Programs?

Adoption assistance is available to those parents who are thinking about adopting a child from foster care. Keep in mind that these subsidies only apply to children who have certain types of needs. The purpose of these subsidies is to help parents pay for the many expenses that come with raising a child.

In order to qualify for state adoption assistance programs, state authorities will take a close look at the child’s history. Because only children who have been in foster care can qualify for these programs, the child’s detailed history must be available. The qualification requirements are the same regardless of the adoption assistance program you obtain.

Qualifying for State Adoption Assistance Programs

The following details all of the circumstances that would allow a child to qualify for an adoption assistance program in New Jersey. Keep in mind that the child in question must meet at least one of these requirements to qualify for subsidies. Subsidies are provided to parents in the event that the needs the child has would create a notable barrier for adoption. If the child in question has a significant disfigurement, they may qualify for subsidies. This disfigurement could be the loss of facial features or the deformation of extremities.

If the child has a dental or medical condition that will require numerous treatments or visits to the hospital, subsidies may be available. Subsidies could also be available in the event that the child has a physical deformity or defect that is expected to make them at least partially incapacitated for work or school. If the child has at least one sibling that meets these criteria, it’s possible that they could receive adoption assistance. This assistance is only available if it’s believed that the siblings must be placed together during adoption.

The child you’re considering adopting could enable you to qualify for a state adoption assistance program if they have been diagnosed with a psychiatric, mental, or emotional disorder. A common example of this type of disorder is a developmental disability. Age can play a factor in whether or not a child receives adoption assistance. If the child is over 10 years old, they could receive assistance without issue. In the event that the child is a member of a minority or ethnic group and doesn’t have easy access to adoptive homes, assistance is available if they are at least 2 years old.

There are times when qualification for a state adoption assistance program could be approved if the child meets certain conditions. These conditions include being at a heightened risk of educational, emotional, or developmental problems, being at a heightened risk of mental illness as a result of a parent’s history, and being placed in a home with a relative who won’t adopt the child unless they receive a subsidy. If the child you want to adopt meets one of these requirements, you may be able to receive some adoption assistance.

How Our New Jersey Adoption Lawyer Can Help You

Our New Jersey adoption lawyer can help you navigate every phase of the process to make sure that it progresses smoothly. A core aspect of our adoption services involves helping parents manage all of the expenses that come with adopting a child, which extends to the application process for adoption assistance programs.

Our assistance also applies to the home study, which is a key step in the adoption process that takes place after you have finished the necessary classes and have submitted your application. If you believe that now is the right time for you to adopt a child, our lawyers will be with you every step of the way.

If you are getting ready to adopt a child who has certain needs and believe that you will require some monetary assistance to handle the initial expenses, contact us online today. You can also give our Haddonfield or Woodbury offices a call at (856) 429-5005 to schedule your first appointment and learn more about our services.