Can you claim foster kids on taxes?

They have to have a social security number to be claimed on your taxes. Chances are they DO have numbers, but you haven't been told. I believe you need a SS number to have Medicaid, for example. Maybe it's needed for WIC, too. And in many states, the SS # functions as their individual ID number in the foster care system - though many case workers don't know that. The SS numbers are usually filed for by the hospital staff when the babies are born - right along with filling out th ebirth certificate. If you have anything that lists their full legal names, you can usually take it down to the SS office and ask what the numbers are - if they can find the kids in their system, they'll tell you the numbers. If they really don't have social security numbers, someone NEEDS to file the papers to get those. The children's caseworkers need to get on the ball and get them.