Oklahoma Respite Care for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Raising a grandchild at 60 or 65 is physically exhausting in ways that don't get talked about enough. Oklahoma's Title III-E National Family Caregiver Support Program provides respite care vouchers — temporary relief so you can rest, attend medical appointments, or simply recharge.

Who Qualifies

The program is administered through Oklahoma's 11 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) under federal Older Americans Act funding. To qualify as a kinship caregiver:

• You must be aged 55 or older
• You must be a relative raising a child under 18 (biological parents are excluded — this is specifically for grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other kin)
• You can also qualify if you're caring for an adult child aged 18 to 59 with a severe disability

There's no income test for Title III-E. Eligibility is based on age and caregiving role, not financial need.

What You Receive

Services vary by AAA region but typically include:

• Respite care vouchers — funding for temporary in-home or facility-based care so you can take a break
• Caregiver counseling — individual or group sessions focused on the stress of kinship caregiving
• Support groups — connection with other grandparents in similar situations
• Direct material aid — grants for clothing, beds, school supplies, and other immediate needs for the child

Voucher amounts and service availability depend on your local AAA's funding allocation, so what's offered in Oklahoma City may differ from rural western Oklahoma.

How to Access Services

Start by calling the Oklahoma Senior Info-Line at 1-800-211-2116. They'll connect you with the Area Agency on Aging serving your county. You can also contact your local AAA directly — Oklahoma has 11 regional offices covering the entire state.

The AAA will assess your caregiving situation and connect you with available services. Ask the agency what local referral and intake steps apply.

Combining Respite with Other Programs

Title III-E respite care doesn't interfere with any other benefits. You can receive respite vouchers while also collecting TANF Child-Only cash for the child, SNAP, SoonerCare, and subsidized childcare. The programs run through entirely separate agencies and funding streams.

For the full picture of every financial and support program available to Oklahoma kinship caregivers, our Oklahoma Kinship Financial Help Guide maps each benefit by agency, eligibility, and how they interact with one another.

See more Oklahoma guides →