Florida Support

This section of the website is dedicated to the various levels of support and developments in kinship care in Florida. From details on regional support groups to various parenting manuals and references, you will find a variety of information to assist you in dealing with and learning more about kinship care. Please visit and download the sections that interest you.

Community support refers to programs and agencies that provide support and services to relative caregivers in Florida.

Jump to: Area Agencies on Aging | Children's Services Councils | Children's Services Council by County | Assistance for Kin - Florida \ Assistance for Kin - Nationally | FAQs From Relative Caregivers | Custodial Differences Chart

Area Agencies on Aging

What is an Area Agency on Aging?

Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) work to plan, coordinate and offer services that help older adults remain in their home - if that is their preference - aided by services such as Meals-on-Wheels, homemaker assistance and whatever else it may take to make independent living a viable option. By making a range of options available, AAAs make it possible for older individuals to choose the services and living arrangement that suit them best.

Important Quick Links for Area Agency on Aging Information:

Area Agencies on Aging Websites:

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Children’s Services Councils

What is a Children’s Service Council?

Florida Children’s Services Councils are officially created by action of a county government. Generally, the Florida statute authorizes juvenile welfare services related to the general well-being of children in the county. Programs and services may include school readiness, neighborhood development, prenatal care, prevention services and early intervention, youth development, and foster care review. The mission of the Florida Children's Services Councils is to provide the means for children's services councils, juvenile welfare boards and similar bodies to cooperatively address the needs of Florida's families and children and the organizations participating in the Council.

Important Quick Links for Children’s Services Council Information, alphabetically by county:

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Assistance For Kinship Caregivers

IN FLORIDA

Florida Department of Elder Affairs Elder Helpline

1-800-963-5337 offers information and referral service for elders
Access information regarding Florida self-help programs in your community.
This is a partnership between Medicaid, MediKids, Healthy Kids, and the Children?s Medical Services Network that offers free or low cost health insurance to eligible uninsured children ages birth through 18 years of age. Grandchildren that live with you may be eligible. To request information or an application call 1-888-540-KIDS, or TTY: 1-877-316-8748, no face-to-face interview required.
Offers phone assistance to qualified residential telephone subscribers. You may be eligible if you receive: Medicaid, TANF, SSI, Food Stamps, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or Federal Public Housing Assistance. Call your area service provider for assistance: Bell South: 1-888-757-6500; Sprint Florida: 1-800-339-1811; Verizon Florida: 1-800-483-4000; Public Counsel: 1-850-488-9330; Public Service Commission: 1-800-342-3552.

Florida Family Court Self Service Center

Florida KidCare

Florida Lifeline

Florida Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

WIC is a federally funded nutrition program for Women, Infants and Children. WIC provides the following at no cost: healthy foods, nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding support, and referrals for health care. To find out if you are eligible, call 1-800-342-3556. 

Angel Food Ministries

Angel Food is available in a quantity that can fit into a medium-sized box at $30 per unit. Each month's menu is different than the previous month and consists of both fresh and frozen items with an average retail value of approximately $60.

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NATIONALLY

Eldercare Locator
1-800-677-1116 provides information about community resources for elders. Free Legal Assistance to Families, including Relative Caregivers affected by Hurricane Katrina Grandfamilies and others needing legal help. Once at the site, click on the state they are currently residing in or the state from which they have relocated. After clicking on the state, they should then click on "Free Legal Help" and then "Pro Bono."
Grandparents and Other Relative Caregiver's Guides
There are 4 guides that help with:
  • child care and early education programs
  • food and nutrition programs
  • health insurance, and
  • raising children with disabilities.
Access them all online via the above link.
Legal Education Resources
This new Resource Center is intended to serve as a toolkit for attorneys, judges, and other child-serving practitioners working with kinship families and having difficulty navigating the complex existing and emerging legal issues. This info is part of the Kinship Care Legal Resurce Center at The ABA Center on Children and the Law.
Social Security Benefits for Grandchildren
Social Security will pay benefits to grandchildren if benefits are not payable on the work record of a parent. Call 1-800-772-1213 Monday thru Friday between 7AM to 7PM to inquire about these benefits. If you are deaf or hard of hearing call the toll-free TTY number, 1-800-325-0778 Monday thru Friday, 7AM to 7PM. Have your social security number handy when you call.

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Frequently Asked Questions From Relative Caregivers Regarding Benefits and Eligibility

Custodial Differences Comparison Chart

  1. What financial assistance is available for Relative caregivers?

    There are two options available (each has eligibility requirements):

    1. State of Florida Relative Caregiver Program

      The children you are raising were brought to you by the Department of Children and Families and/or are adjudicated dependent, then you may be eligible (see basic eligibility requirements below). The child will be eligible for Medicaid.

    2. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families(TANF)/Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA)

      The child you are raising has not been through the dependency court system and adjudicated dependent. For example: You took a relative child into your care without the court system being involved. Therefore, you can apply for child only benefits via TANF/TCA (see basic eligibility requirements below). The child is eligible for Medicaid.

  2. How much financial assistance do I receive each month from the Florida Relative Caregiver Program?

    The Florida Relative Caregiver program monthly benefit for EACH child is:

    1. Age: 0-5 $ 242.00 per child
    2. Age: 6-12 $ 249.00 per child
    3. Age: 13 + $ 298.00 per child
  3. How much financial assistance do I receive each month with the child only TANF/TCA?

    The monthly benefit is:

    1. $ 180.00 for 1 child
    2. $ 241.00 for 2 children
    3. $ 303.00 for 3 children
    4. $ 364.00 for 4 children
  4. How do I apply for Relative Caregiver Benefits, TANF/TCA, Medicaid, Food Stamps and Social Security benefits?
    • Option 1: Go to www.dcf.state.fl.us/ess/ and fill out the online application.
    • Option 2: Go to www.dcf.state.fl.us/ess/ and print out the application. Fill out the application (Do not leave any blank spaces) and mail or fax to DCF.
    • Option 3: Go to an agency that is part of the Community ACCESS Network. These are community agencies that are working with DCF to provide access to public assistance services. These are listed on the DCF website (listed above) or you can call the Kinship Warmline at 813-974-1328, and outside the Tampa Bay area at 1-800-640-6444, and a Warmline operators will be happy to assist you.
  5. What about a child placed with relatives out of state?

    Only children living in Florida and placed by the court in Florida are eligible for Relative Caregiver benefits in Florida. A child placed in Florida by a court in another state is not eligible.

  6. What about non-relative placements?

    The only time a child not related to the caregiver can receive Relative Caregiver benefits is when a sibling of that child, who is related to the caregiver, is placed in the home and is eligible for Relative Caregiver Benefits. Non-Relative Caregivers are not eligible for TANF/TCA.

  7. My grandchildren’s mother died and the children get social security. Will the social security they get effect the assistance I receive?

    The state looks at the children’s income when determining benefits. If the child receives social security it is very likely the child will not qualify for the Relative Caregiver Funds or TANF.

  8. What about a child placed with relatives out of state?

    Only children living in Florida and placed by the court in Florida are eligible for Relative Caregiver benefits in Florida. A child placed in Florida by a court in another state is not eligible.

  9. What if the parent moves in the home with children and the caregiver?

    If the parent is in the home for 30 days or longer, eligibility for Relative Caregiver Funds ends. Always follow the rules of parental involvement set by the court.

  10. Are step-parents eligible for Relative Care?

    Only if they are divorced from the biological parent. Otherwise, they are considered a parent, rather than a relative caregiver.

  11. How long does it take for benefits to begin?

    The ESS worker has 45 days to complete the approval process. If the family is already receiving TCA, the Relative Caregiver benefits will be approved in about 10 days from receipt of the completed communication form. If not, it will take about 30 days to approve or deny the case and longer for the relative to actually receive the benefits.

  12. Do I qualify for child care benefits?

    If you are working and receive Relative Caregiver Benefits and/or the child has been adjudicated dependent you should receive subsidized daycare based on status, and are eligible for priority placements under the school readiness programs. The case manager will provide the referral for child care (you must have this referral when you sign up for subsidized child care). Once the case is closed you must get your child care referral from the Economic Self-Sufficency (ESS) program. This process may vary by county.

  13. What about post high school educational benefits?

    A child who is receiving Relative Caregiver Benefits when he/she turns 18, may be eligible for a tuition waiver at Florida universities, community colleges and vocational schools. Eligibility for the tuition waiver is for the 4 years immediately following high school graduation.

  14. What about health care for the children?

    Any child not living with parents is eligible for Medicaid.

  15. What about health care for me (caregiver of the child)?

    At this time there are not any federal or Florida state programs that provide health benefits for relative caregivers raising children.

  16. Who is responsible for Coordinated Child Care (CCC) referrals?

    The case manager is responsible for making the CCC referral and as a relative caregiver you must be re-certified annually. If the case is “closed” it is then the responsibility of the ESS worker to provide the referral. You should receive a letter stating the change in the referral process. The referral process may vary by county. Check with your County CCC to verify what is the local process.

  17. What other services are available for my family? Where can I find out about them?

    Services for relative caregivers are very limited and can vary by county. Please call the Florida Kinship Center’s Warmline at 813-974-1328, or outside the Tampa Bay area at 1-800-640-6444, to find out which services may be available in your area.

    Relative Caregiver Program Eligibility Requirements

    • I must be taking care of children under the age of 18 who are related to me.
    • There must be a Florida court order by a judge finding that the children were abandoned, abused or neglected. The child(ren) who I am requetsing benefits for has been placed in my custody by a Florida juvenile court judge.
    • I understand that the Department’s office of Family Safety will do a home study to be sure that the children in my custody are safe from abuse or neglect. If there are problems in my home, the Department may be court ordered by a judge to supervise them or even remove them from my home.
    • I must be interviewed and provide all the requested documentation that the Department needs requires in order to decide if I meet the requirements for Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA). If it is difficult for me to get the requested documentation, I understand that I can ask my caseworker for assistance.
    • If I receive Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), I cannot also receive Relative Caregiver benefits in the same month. If I meet the technical and financial requirements, I can ask to receive increased Relative Caregiver benefits until the first month after the Department stops my Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA).
    • I understand that the Relative Caregiver payment is to cover the cost of the child’s basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, school supplies, and personal items like toiletries, entertainment, etc.

Custodial Differences Comparison Chart

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We are very appreciative to our funding agencies. Because we are a non-profit center that is solely dependent on grants and donations, we are in need of continued funding and support. If you would like to make a conribution to the center, visit the USF Foundation site.