Tennessee Relative Caregiver Program Waiting List

Why There's a Waitlist

The DCS Relative Caregiver Program monthly stipend — 50% of the foster care board rate — is funded through capped state legislative appropriations, not an open-ended federal entitlement. When funding for a region is limited, eligible applicants may go on a waitlist and are enrolled first-come, first-served as funding becomes available.

This is fundamentally different from Families First or TennCare, which are entitlements — if you meet the criteria, you receive benefits. RCP may waitlist an otherwise eligible applicant when funding is limited.

Some regions feel this more than others. Shelby County, which includes Memphis and has the highest concentration of kinship placements in the state, has historically maintained longer waitlists through its contractor (UTHSC Center for Developmental Disabilities).

What You Can Access Immediately

The waitlist applies only to the monthly stipend. Even while waiting for a stipend spot, you can access RCP's non-stipend supportive services:

• Case management (1 to 6 months)
• Support groups and caregiver educational workshops
• Respite care
• One-time emergency financial aid — beds, mattresses, clothing, school supplies, utility arrears, infant needs (household income must be at or below 200% FPL, and you can't be receiving another state kinship payment)

These services are available to any relative caregiver — including informal caregivers without a court order.

Other Programs That Don't Have Waitlists

While the RCP stipend has a funding cap, several other programs are entitlements that pay out to everyone who qualifies:

Families First child-only cash: $240/month for one child, available with informal care or a POA. Your income doesn't count. No waitlist.

TennCare/CoverKids: Free health coverage for the child, evaluated independently of your income. No waitlist.

SNAP: Household food assistance. No waitlist.

WIC: For children under 5. No waitlist.

Childcare assistance (ARCO or Smart Steps): Available through ONE DHS, though childcare slots depend on provider availability in your area.

Between Families First child-only cash and the other entitlement programs, most kinship caregivers can assemble a meaningful support package without the RCP stipend — though the stipend adds real dollars once it comes through.

Protecting Your Place in Line

If you've applied and been placed on the waitlist, your regional RCP agency should keep your file active and contact you when a slot opens. Stay in touch with the agency — update them if your contact information, address, or custody status changes. A stale file with an outdated phone number can cost you a slot.

Also make sure you've completed every eligibility requirement before a spot opens. The stipend requires a court custody order, age 21+, income at or below 200% FPL, and agreement to cooperate with child support enforcement. If you haven't obtained the court order yet, you won't be able to accept a slot when one becomes available.

If You're Denied or Removed

Denials, reductions, or terminations of an RCP stipend can be appealed in writing within 10 business days of the notice through the DCS Fair Hearing process. If a notice concerns waitlist status, contact the regional agency promptly to ask what review process applies.

The Tennessee Kinship Financial Help Guide covers the full range of programs available to kinship caregivers, organized so you can see what's available immediately and what requires waiting or additional legal steps — plus a notice-tracking worksheet to protect your appeal rights.

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