Adoption can be incredibly expensive, though I have not known any adoptive parent who doesn’t agree it is worth every penny and heartache. Adoption allows for children to become a part of forever families and for adoptive parents to grow their family through non-traditional means. While adoption does offer a home for children who might not otherwise be a part of a family, there are unfortunately not many financial assistance programs available for adoptive families. When adopting a child, it must be viewed just as if a child has been born into the family.
When a woman becomes pregnant and gives birth to child, she will typically take that child home and be responsible for the child’s emotional and financial needs. While there is great cost for the adoptive parent in adoption, the situation is very much the same. When a child is adopted and the adoption is finalized, the adoptive parents are solely responsible for the emotional and financial needs of the child. Adoptive parents do, however, have the same access to state and federally funded programs such as WIC, SNAP, Medicaid and cash assistance that are typically based on income.
The myth that adoptive parents get paid for adopting a child may stem from the Adoption Tax Credit. This credit has never been a payment for adopting a child, but rather a tax credit for those who have incurred qualifying adoption expenses through the adoption process. The costs incurred are applied to whatever tax liability a person might have for the year. The amount can be carried over for five years if you do not have a liability large enough to use all of your credit at once. While you do not get paid for adopting a child, there are programs available that provide assistance to help cover the cost of adoption.
