OLR Bill Analysis

sHB 5311

AN ACT INCREASING TEMPORARY FAMILY ASSISTANCE BENEFITS FOR GRANDPARENTS AND OTHER NONPARENT CARETAKER RELATIVES.

SUMMARY:

For certain individuals, this bill increases the “child only” payment standards under the Department of Social Services (DSS)-administered Temporary Family Assistance (TFA) program to the same level as the foster care rate paid by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) for the equivalent number of children in a 30-day month. The increased TFA payment applies to a nonparent caretaker relative who is head of the household and the child's legal guardian.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2009

BACKGROUND

TFA Child Only Payments

Non-parent relative caregivers, including grandparents raising grandchildren, who are appointed guardians of a child through probate court are not formally subsidized by the state, although a qualifying guardian may receive a monthly “child only” TFA payment from DSS. The current payment rate is $ 354 for one child and $ 470 for two children living in most parts of the state. This rate is substantially less than the rate paid to guardians of children involved in the child welfare system.

DCF Foster Care Payments

When DCF places court-committed abused or neglected children in a non-parent relative's care, it pays the relative a monthly foster care payment between $ 782. 62 and $ 858. 96 for each child, depending on the child's age. (Payments for children with medically complex problems are higher. ) The caregiver must obtain a foster care license and meet DCF standards for living arrangements, and the department provides care management and other support services as it does for non-relative foster parents. After six months, caregivers may ask DCF to make them subsidized guardians through Superior Court. Once guardianship is granted, caregivers continue to receive monthly payments equal to the foster care rates.

COMMITTEE ACTION

Select Committee on Aging

Joint Favorable Substitute Change of Reference

Human Services Committee

Joint Favorable