At Lifetime, we understand that the expenses of adoption can be a barrier for many couples in Ohio who are called to provide a loving home for a child in need. We believe that financial constraints should not prevent these couples from adopting.
Our goal is to support loving Christian couples who are drawn to domestic adoption and ensure that they can welcome a child into their hearts and homes. Thankfully, an Ohio adoption grant is available to assist families in managing the costs of adoption, making the process more affordable.
To begin, we share the benefits and disadvantages of applying for adoption grants. Then, we’ll provide the eligibility details of the Ohio Adoption Grant, the documentation you’ll need to prepare, how to apply, and what the review process looks like.
Benefits of an Adoption Grant
Many hopeful parents seek an adoption grant due to their favorable terms. Unlike other adoption financing options, such as adoption loans, grants do not accrue interest and do not impose any personal cost. In essence, there is no need to repay them over time, as would be required for a loan.
One of the primary benefits of a loan is having access to immediate funds. Adoption grants do not pose any financial risk. Unlike a loan, you cannot default on a grant, and there is no need for collateral assets when applying for one. Therefore, the Ohio adoption grant can significantly contribute to making your parenting aspirations a reality.
Disadvantages of an Adoption Grant
While adoption grants offer substantial assistance in reducing the cost of adoption, it’s important to be aware of their potential challenges. These challenges should not discourage you from pursuing adoption grants, but they are essential to consider as you explore your options.
The application process for adoption grants can be quite time-consuming, so give yourself plenty of time to plan and research beforehand. Once you submit an application, there is typically a waiting period while it undergoes review.
Unlike traditional personal loans from financial institutions that can provide immediate funds, adoption grants do not offer the same quick access to cash. Therefore, we encourage you to avoid resorting to adoption grants as a last-minute option for securing funding.
Although grants can be incredibly helpful, it’s important to avoid planning your adoption financing around the assumption that you’ll receive a grant. Many adoption grant organizations operate as non-profits with limited budgets. As a result, they may not be able to fund every qualified application they receive despite meeting eligibility criteria.
Specifically regarding the Ohio adoption grant, the Ohio Senate shared in a news release on April 26, 2024, that “This program has immediately proved to be successful beyond our wildest expectations. It is so exceptionally popular that we have run out of funding twice as fast as anticipated…That is why the Senate made a critical $38 million investment into the Ohio Adoption Grant program this week – to keep uniting more families.”
Ohio Adoption Grant Specifics
The Ohio Adoption Grant Program provides financial assistance to help offset the significant costs of adoption. From agency fees to legal expenses, these costs can add up quickly, making adoption seem out of reach for many.
This grant offers vital support, helping prospective adoptive parents in Ohio overcome financial obstacles and pursue their dream of building a family. Programs like the Ohio Adoption Grant Program are essential, offering not just financial aid but also the resources and guidance needed to make adoption possible.
On April 7, 2023, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed Executive Order 2023-09D, officially launching the Ohio Adoption Grant Program. This initiative provides up to $20,000 in financial assistance to parents who have completed an adoption since January 1, 2023.
“Every child deserves a safe, permanent, loving home,” said Governor DeWine. “Whether you’re adopting from the foster care system or through private adoption, the Ohio Adoption Grant will help offset the cost of growing your family.”
The Ohio Adoption Grant Program offers a one-time payment of up to $20,000 to parents who adopt children under 18, including private adoptions. This grant is also available for adoption through public children’s services agencies, including those by foster and kinship caregivers. However, it does not apply to adoptions by stepparents. Parents who finalized an adoption after January 1, 2023, are eligible to apply for the grant now.
This program replaces the previous state adoption tax credit, providing three levels of one-time payments:
- $10,000 for anyone (except stepparents) adopting a child.
- $15,000 for certified foster caregivers who previously cared for the child they are adopting.
- $20,000 for families adopting a child with special needs, as determined by a qualified professional.
Eligibility and Criteria for the Grant
To qualify for the Ohio Adoption Grant Program, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- You adopted a child who was under the age of 18
- Your adoption occurred on or after January 1, 2023
- You are applying within one year of the finalization of the adoption
- You are a current resident of Ohio at the time of your application
- You are not a stepparent applying to adopt your stepchild
If you meet all these conditions, you can apply for financial assistance through the Ohio Adoption Grant Program, which aims to ease the financial burden of the adoption process.
The grant program is open to families who are adopting children of any age. In addition, there are no income restrictions for families to qualify.
The Ohio Adoption Grant provides vital financial support for adoptive parents seeking to grow their families. This assistance helps alleviate the considerable financial challenges often linked with adoption, such as agency fees, legal costs, home evaluations, and other associated expenses. By alleviating these financial pressures, the grant enables prospective adoptive parents to concentrate on establishing a nurturing and secure home for the child they are bringing into their family.
How to Apply for the Ohio Adoption Grant
To begin the application process, you’ll need to create an account with MyOhio (OHID). The OHID is an online service for Ohio residents where you can access multiple state agency websites and apps using a single username and password.
Before you begin the application online, preparing the necessary documentation beforehand is wise. Here’s what you’ll need to provide:
- Two forms of identification for the adoptive parent receiving payment (such as your driver’s license, passport, or Social Security card). The address should match what you enter as the payee’s address.
- A certified copy of your finalized adoption decree from the Court
- Completed and signed W-9 (of the adoptive parent payee only).
- An Ohio Adoption Grant Program Special Need Documentation (Form JFS 1058) completed and signed by a qualified professional (if applicable)
You can find detailed instructions and links to the required forms on the Ohio SACWIS Knowledge Base.
Once you’ve gathered all necessary documentation and are ready to apply for the Ohio Adoption Grant, begin the process at FosterandAdopt.jfs.ohio.gov/adoption/grant. If any information is missing on your forms or if the payee’s name doesn’t match the adoptive parents, the OHID system will helpfully display an error message in red.
After submitting your application, a friendly State of Ohio employee will review your information. They will carefully consider your application and may approve or reject it based on the information provided.
If your application is rejected, don’t worry! You will receive an email explaining the reasons for the rejection and how you can make the necessary corrections.
If your application is approved, it will move to the next level for further review by a supervisor.
If the application is denied, it means that you did not meet the requirements for the adoption grant award, and you will receive an email explaining the reason for the denial. You then have 30 days to re-submit your application to be reviewed again by another supervisor.
Award Amounts and Payment
Once the state of Ohio approves your application, an employee will notify you of the payment amount. Before issuing the payment, they will screen you for any outstanding child support owed. If you owe child support, the state will deduct that amount from your grant award.
You will receive an email notifying you of the final amount the state has awarded you before they send payment.
Please note that this process will take time due to the expected rush of applications and the verifications that state employees must complete to ensure adoption grants are appropriately awarded. It may take a few months for them to send your payment.
Why the Ohio Adoption Grant was Started
Adopting a child can be challenging and expensive, yet it is one of the most rewarding experiences for a family. The Ohio Adoption Grant program offers financial assistance, demonstrating the state’s commitment to supporting families who want to provide a loving home to a child.
This program is a significant step towards making adoption more accessible and affordable for families across Ohio. It has the potential to make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families, showcasing how states can effectively support those in need.
“It’s obvious the grants are giving adoptive families a greater benefit than the tax credit did, and we hope its popularity also means more families are opening their hearts to adoption. This program’s success is a major win for Ohio families and kids,” the Ohio Senate shared in a news release.
As you can see, the Ohio adoption grant can be very beneficial to hopeful adoptive parents. This grant could help you on your path to becoming a parent!
Founder of Lifetime Adoption, adoptive mom, adoption expert, and Certified Open Adoption Practitioner (C.O.A.P).
Since 1986, adoption expert Mardie Caldwell has been dedicated to bringing couples and birth parents together in order to fulfill their dreams.
“Many years ago, I was also searching for a child to adopt. We didn’t know where or how to get started. Through research, determination, and a prayer, our dream of a family became reality. I started with a plan, a notebook, assistance from a caring adoption consultant and a lot of hard work; this was my family I was building. We had a few heartaches along the way, but the pain of not having children was worse!
Within weeks we had three different birth mothers choose us. We were overwhelmed and delighted. Many unsettling events would take place before our adoption would be finalized, many months later. Little did I know that God was training and aligning me for the adoption work I now do today. It is my goal to share with our families the methods and plans which succeed and do not succeed. I believe adoption should be affordable and can be a wonderful “pregnancy” for the adoptive couple.
I have also been on both sides of infertility with the loss of seven pregnancies and then conceiving by new technology, giving birth to a healthy daughter. I have experienced first-hand the emotional pain of infertility and believe my experience allows me to serve your needs better.
It is my hope that for you, the prospective parents, your desire for a child will be fulfilled soon.”
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