Virginia Kinship Care Financial Assistance — Every Benefit in One Place

The Full Benefit Map for Virginia Kinship Caregivers

Virginia does not have a single "kinship care benefit." There are multiple programs across different agencies, each with its own eligibility rules, application process, and funding source. What you qualify for depends on how the child came to live with you — informal family arrangement, CPS involvement, or formal foster care — and what type of help you need.

Here is every program available, organized by category.

Cash Assistance

TANF Child-Only Grant: Monthly cash payment where only the child's income is evaluated. Your income, retirement savings, and assets are completely excluded. No work requirements, no 60-month time limit for the child. Apply through CommonHelp or your local DSS. Available to eligible relative caregivers regardless of legal status — no court order needed. The child must meet the program's age, Virginia residency, relationship, citizenship or qualified-immigrant, and Social Security number requirements.

Relative Maintenance Support Payment (RMSP): An additional $200 per child per month on top of TANF. Only available when the child was diverted to you through active CPS involvement as an alternative to foster care. Request through your CPS caseworker, not through CommonHelp.

KinGAP (§ 63.2-1305): Ongoing monthly payment at the negotiated foster care rate (basic maintenance plus VEMAT enhanced maintenance) after the child exits foster care into your legal custody. Requires 6+ months in approved relative foster care and full foster parent approval. Includes automatic Title IV-E Medicaid.

State-Funded Kinship Subsidy (§ 63.2-1306): Basic maintenance rate only, after 90+ days in foster care. Lower approval threshold than KinGAP — no full foster parent licensing required. No automatic Medicaid; apply separately.

Health Coverage

FAMIS and Medicaid: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for children. Medicaid covers income up to 143% FPL; FAMIS covers up to 205% FPL. If you do not claim the child as a tax dependent, only the child's income is counted. Apply through CommonHelp or call the Cover Virginia Call Center at 1-855-242-8282. No court order required.

Food Assistance

SNAP: Monthly food benefits loaded on an EBT card. Household income (including yours) is counted, but significant deductions apply. Children in SNAP households are directly certified for free school meals. Apply through CommonHelp alongside TANF.

WIC: Supplemental nutrition for children under age five — formula, fruits, vegetables, dairy, grains. Apply at your local VDH clinic. Children receiving SNAP or TANF are automatically income-eligible. No court order needed.

SUN Bucks (Summer EBT): $120 per eligible school-age child during summer months for children certified for free or reduced-price school meals.

Childcare

Child Care Subsidy Program (CCSP): Direct payments to childcare providers. Generally requires employment or training activity, but retired grandparents over 60 receiving Social Security or pension income qualify without meeting work requirements. Foster and kinship placements receive priority enrollment.

Emergency and Short-Term Help

TANF Emergency Assistance (TANF-EA): One-time payment up to $1,500 within 12 months for crisis situations. Apply through CommonHelp or local DSS.

Title III-E Caregiver Support: For caregivers age 55+, provides respite care funding, supplemental grants for clothing and school supplies, and support groups through your local Area Agency on Aging.

RISE Matched Savings: For TANF-eligible households — $8 match for every $1 saved toward approved goals (vehicle, home repair, education).

Tax Credits

Child Tax Credit: Up to $2,200 per qualifying child under 17 for tax year 2025 if you meet the qualifying-child and other IRS rules. Earned Income Tax Credit: Refundable credit for eligible working caregivers. Both are claimed on your tax return; amounts and eligibility rules depend on tax year and filing circumstances.

Where to Start

The most efficient first step: apply through CommonHelp for TANF child-only, SNAP, and FAMIS health coverage in a single submission. Then contact your local WIC clinic if the child is under five. If the child was placed through CPS, ask your caseworker about RMSP. If you are 55+, contact your local Area Agency on Aging for Title III-E services.

The Virginia kinship financial help guide organizes all of these programs by your specific caregiving arrangement — informal, POA, court custody, or foster-to-kin — with the documents needed for each, the agency to contact, and what to do when something goes wrong.

See more Virginia guides →