Grandparents Raising Grandchildren in Illinois: Financial Help Available

What Financial Help Exists for Illinois Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

If you're a grandparent in Illinois who suddenly has a grandchild living with you, the money pressure hits fast. Diapers, school clothes, doctor visits, food — all on a budget that wasn't built for it.

The good news: Illinois has several programs specifically designed for relatives raising children, and many of them don't count your income at all. The child qualifies based on their own situation, not yours.

Here's the full picture.

Cash Help Through TANF Child-Only Grants

The biggest program most kinship caregivers don't know about is the TANF Child-Only Grant. Under Illinois policy (PM 04-01-05-c), when a grandparent or other qualifying relative raises a child, the state completely excludes the caregiver's income from the eligibility calculation. Your Social Security, pension, wages — none of it counts.

Only income in the child's own name (like survivor benefits or child support) is evaluated. For FY 2027 (October 2026 through September 2027), a child-only grant pays $350 per month for one child, $473 for two, and $598 for three. The grant rises with each additional child.

You're also exempt from TANF work requirements and the 60-month lifetime limit. This is a child-only grant paid on the eligible child's behalf; IDHS determines eligibility.

Apply through the ABE portal at abe.illinois.gov or at your local Family Community Resource Center.

Health Coverage Through All Kids

All Kids Assist covers children under 19 in Illinois regardless of immigration status. When a non-parent relative applies solely on a child's behalf, the caregiver's income and assets are excluded under MAGI rules unless the caregiver claims the child as a tax dependent; eligibility is based on the child's MAGI household. Children at or below 318% of the Federal Poverty Level may qualify for All Kids Assist with no co-pays or premiums.

Coverage includes doctor visits, prescriptions, dental, vision, and mental health services.

Food Benefits Through SNAP

SNAP works differently from TANF — it's a household-based program. If you and your grandchild live together and customarily purchase and prepare food together, you apply as one household, and your income counts. But standard deductions, shelter costs, and utility allowances offset much of it.

Grandparents aged 55 and older are exempt from SNAP work requirements. You may qualify for expedited SNAP benefits within 7 days if your household has less than $150 in monthly gross income and liquid resources under $100, or if its combined gross income and resources are less than monthly rent or mortgage plus utility costs.

Children receiving TANF or SNAP are automatically certified for free school breakfast and lunch — no separate application needed.

Childcare Assistance Through CCAP

If you're working or attending school, the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) helps cover childcare costs. You can choose licensed centers, home providers, or qualified license-exempt relatives (as long as they don't live in your household).

Retired grandparents who aren't working generally don't qualify unless documented special medical needs apply to the child or caregiver.

Emergency Help Through DCFS Extended Family Support

The Extended Family Support Program (EFSP) is for relatives caring for children outside the foster care system. Call the DCFS hotline at 1-800-252-2873. EFSP provides short-term cash for emergency needs — beds, clothing, legal help with guardianship — plus assistance with school enrollment and benefit applications.

This isn't a monthly payment. It's crisis-level help to get you through the first weeks or months.

How to Start

File your application at abe.illinois.gov immediately, even if you don't have all your documents yet. The filing date controls initial benefit proration. IDHS must process TANF applications within 45 days and SNAP within 30 days.

Bring the child's birth certificate, your ID, proof of Illinois residency, and anything showing the child lives with you (school records, doctor records). If documents are missing, file anyway — IDHS gives you at least 10 days to submit verification.

Our complete Illinois kinship financial help guide walks through every program, every form, and every deadline in one place — so nothing falls through the cracks.

See more Illinois guides →