Benefits / Services
Services and support when raising a relative’s child can be a lifesaver. Getting answers to questions and finding services, programs, and support can be confusing and overwhelming. We are here to help.
Kinship Navigators or Resource Persons
Financial Help
Tax benefits information
Benefits Checkup
Child care
Free or reduced price food
Foster Care Resources
Resources for a Child with a Developmental Disability
Family Health Hotline
Kinship Navigators or Resource Persons
Kinship Navigators are people whose job it is to help you “navigate” through the system. They will talk with you and help you find local services and programs. Kinship Navigators are available to answer questions for relatives who live in 24 counties. In some other communities, Resource Persons who are support group leaders or community volunteers are available to share with you about local resources. Kinship Navigators or Resource Persons.
Financial Help
Short-term support to pay for food, housing, clothing, school supplies, legal servicesFunds are for relative caregivers not involved in the child welfare system through the Kinship Caregivers Support Program. Find the KCSP in your county.
On-going financial assistance
Cash and medical assistance for children who are in the care of a relative through a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) child-only grant. Only the child's income and resources figure in determining eligibility. Recipients of child-only TANF can also get additional one-time cash payments for help with emergency housing or utility needs. Go to DSHS Child only grant to learn about the program.
To apply, contact your local Community Services Office (CSO) or apply on-line using the Online Application for Services.
Emergency, short-term funds to pay for furniture, clothing, school supplies
These TANF funds are for children placed by the Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) through the Relative Support Services program and are to facilitate or maintain DCFS placements. Contact your DCFS worker or the local DCFS office.
Tax benefits information
The National Foster Parent Association developed the 2007 Tax Benefits for Foster, Adoptive Parents and Kinship Caregivers. This resource guide provides information about tax benefits.The guide is filled with links to reference material and explains basic rules and offers tips on ways that foster and adoptive parents and kinship caregivers can claim deductions and credit available to them. go to www.NFPAonline.org to see the guide.
Benefits Checkup
Benefits Checkup website is a free, comprehensive on-line database that lets you screen for federal, state, and some local public and private benefits that are available for adults ages 55 and over.
The Benefits Checkup website leads you through a series of menus with questions about your situation. Your responses are confidential. Your answers are used to generate a list of applicable benefits with contact information for additional information and application materials.
Child Care
Working Connections Child Care (WCCC)
Overview of Working Connections Child Care (WORD)
Financial assistance may be available through the Working Connections Child Care Program (WCCC). Relative caregivers, as a couple, can qualify for WCCC even if only one of them is working.
Call or go to your local Community Services Office or apply on-line using the Online Application for Services.
Learn more about child care options by reading the following brochures.
Working Connections Child Care Program (PDF) (DSHS 22-074)
Working Connections Child Care Rights and Responsibilities (PDF)
(DSHS 22-248)
Child Care Subsidies and Early Childhood Education Options (PDF) (DSHS 22-859)
Seasonal Child Care program for seasonal agricultural workers
Homeless Child Care program for families who are temporarily homeless
A Seasonal Child Care program for seasonal agricultural workers and a Homeless Child Care program for families who are temporarily homeless (living in a shelter, car, tent, park, transitional housing, or temporarily with family or friends) through the Department of Early Learning.
Learn more about these programs by reading the following brochures.
Homeless Child Care (DSHS 22-194)
Seasonal Child Care Program (DSHS 22-330)
Free or reduced price food
Nutrition education and counseling, nutritious foods, and assistance with access to health care
For children under the age of five who are income-eligible and at nutritional risk. Available through the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. To find a WIC clinic or apply for WIC, click here.
Free or reduced price meals
Breakfast, lunch, and snacks in many before and after school day care programs in many public and private schools. Available through the National School Lunch/School Breakfast Programs and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Contact your local school for more information.
Basic Food program (food stamps), free summer meals for kids, local food banks
Find local programs and resources through The Family Food Line. For more information call 1-888-436-6392 or visit The Family Food Line website.
Locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables for WIC participants and lower income seniors through The WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. WIC participants click here to apply. Senior Farmers Market participants can contact their Senior Information & Assistance office at their local Area Agency on Aging to find out how to participate.
Foster care resources
For information about foster care visit the DSHS Children's Administration website.
For information about the child welfare system, read the brochure A Relative’s Guide to Child Welfare Services (DSHS 22-492x) (PDF)
English, Cambodian, Chinese, Hmong, Laotian, Russian, Spanish, Tagolog, and Vietnamese.
Resources for a Child with a Developmental Disability
Early intervention services are available through the Washington State Infant Toddler Early Intervention Program (ITEIP ) or call 360-725-3500.
If you care for a child with a disability or have a concern about a child's development, age birth to three years, information and referral specialists from Within Reach – Essential Resources for Family Heath (formerly Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies) can help you find answers to your questions .
Ask for the name of a Family Resources Coordinator (FRC) in your local community. The FRC will help you find out if a child you care for is eligible for early intervention services. Call 1-800-322-2588 (TTY 711) or visit the Within Reach – Essential Resources for Family Heath website.
Services for individuals diagnosed with a developmental disability and/or delay may be available through DSHS' Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) . For more information visit the DDD website or read A Roadmap to Services (PDF) for a brief overview of DDD services.
Family Health Hotline
A statewide hotline provides information and referral on a broad range of health and social services related to raising children of all ages. Topics of interest to relative caregivers include health insurance, nutrition, immunization, dental health, child care, child development, child safety, teen health, children with special needs, and parent/sibling support. Call 1-800-322-2588 (TTY 711) or go to: Family Health Hotline.
Back to TopModification Date: March 7, 2008. For more ways to get in touch with the Department of Social and Health Services go to the DSHS Contact Information web page. Technical Site Comments: DSHS Webmaster.
