Adoption assistance programs help remove financial barriers to permanency for children with special needs who are adopted from foster care. These programs provide financial, medical, and supportive services to help families meet the ongoing needs of children who may otherwise remain in foster care.

Adoption assistance is intended to support the child's identified needs and promote stable, permanent family relationships. It is not based solely on the adoptive family's income.

It is the child, not the adoptive family, who qualifies for adoption assistance.

Children Adopted from Foster Care

To qualify, a child generally must:

• Be unable to safely return to the birth parents.
• Have documentation that reasonable efforts were made to place the child without adoption assistance, unless an exception applies.
• Meet Utah's definition of a child with special needs.

Utah's Definition of Special Needs (2026)

A child may qualify if they:

• Are age 5 or older, or
• Have a documented physical, developmental, emotional, behavioral, or mental health condition, or
• Are at risk of developing a qualifying condition due to family or medical history, or
• Are part of a sibling group being adopted together.

Private and Independent Adoptions

Children adopted through licensed private agencies or independent adoptions may qualify for adoption assistance if they:

• Are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) at the time the adoption petition is filed, or
• Previously received adoption assistance and continue to meet eligibility requirements.

For children in the custody of the Utah Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS):

• Families must be informed about adoption assistance before adoption finalization.
• An Adoption Assistance Agreement must be negotiated and signed before the final decree of adoption.
• Assistance cannot begin until:
  • The child is placed in an approved adoptive home.
  • The agreement is approved.
  • All required signatures are obtained.

Families should retain a copy of the signed agreement for their records.

1. Reimbursement of Non-Recurring Adoption Expenses

Families may be reimbursed for eligible one-time adoption expenses, up to the federal maximum of $2,000 per child.

Eligible expenses may include:

• Adoption agency fees
• Attorney fees
• Home study costs
• Medical and psychological examinations
• Pre-placement supervision
• Transportation
• Lodging and meals related to placement or finalization

Reimbursement requires documentation and receipts and applies only to expenses incurred before adoption finalization.

2. Monthly Adoption Assistance Payments

Monthly adoption assistance helps families meet the ongoing needs of a child with special needs.

Key Information

• Payments are negotiated based on the child's documented needs.
• Family income does not determine eligibility.
• Assistance may be reviewed and adjusted if circumstances change.
• Payments cannot exceed the amount the child would receive in foster care.

The subsidy is intended to support the child and family and may be used at the family's discretion.

Examples of Typical Uses

Families often use subsidy funds for:

• Therapeutic services
• Specialized childcare
• Educational supports
• Transportation to appointments
• Additional supervision needs
• Other costs associated with the child's special needs

3. Medicaid Coverage

Children with an Adoption Assistance Agreement are generally eligible for Medicaid, even if they do not receive a monthly subsidy payment.

Medicaid May Cover

• Medical care
• Dental care
• Vision services
• Behavioral health treatment
• Mental health services
• Prescription medications
• Hospital and specialty care

Interstate Medicaid Protection

Through federal adoption assistance provisions, Medicaid eligibility generally transfers when families move to another state, although enrollment procedures vary by state.

Coverage Period

Most adopted youth receiving adoption assistance remain eligible through age 18. Youth with qualifying disabilities may be eligible for continued benefits beyond age 18.

Medicaid Contact Information

Utah Medicaid

Phone: 801-538-6155
Toll-Free: 1-800-662-9651

Utah Medicaid Program

4. Supplemental Adoption Assistance

When funding is available, Supplemental Adoption Assistance may provide support for extraordinary or infrequent expenses not covered by:

• Monthly subsidy payments
• Medicaid
• Private insurance
• Other public benefits

Examples may include:

• Specialized therapies
• Adaptive equipment
• Unique treatment needs
• Extraordinary educational supports

Requests are reviewed through the regional DCFS Adoption Subsidy Committee and may require additional state-level approval depending on the amount requested.

Many adoptive families may also be eligible for:

• Post-adoption counseling
• Parent training and education
• Support groups
• Crisis intervention services
• Respite care programs
• Educational advocacy services
• Community-based behavioral health resources

Availability varies by region and funding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does family income affect eligibility?

No. Eligibility is based on the child's needs and circumstances, not the adoptive family's income.

Can adoption assistance be changed after finalization?

Yes. If the child's needs change significantly, families may request a review and renegotiation of the subsidy.

Are adoption assistance payments taxable?

Generally, adoption assistance payments are not considered taxable income. Families should consult a qualified tax professional regarding their specific situation.

What percentage of children adopted from foster care receive adoption assistance?

Nationally, approximately 90% of children adopted from foster care receive some form of adoption assistance, including monthly subsidies, Medicaid, or both.