The Kinship Guardianship Assistance Payment (Kin-GAP) program in California offers a vital lifeline for relative caregivers who provide a stable and loving home for children who cannot safely return to their parents. Designed as a permanency option, Kin-GAP provides financial support to relative guardians, ensuring these children have the resources they need to thrive. This program prioritizes family preservation, offering a route to permanency when reunification or adoption are not viable paths forward. It’s important to understand that transitioning to Kin-GAP from foster care or wardship isn’t automatic; specific criteria must be met, and a social worker will guide families through the necessary enrollment process.
Kin-GAP Eligibility Requirements in California
To be eligible for the Kin-GAP program in California, several key requirements must be satisfied. These conditions ensure the program serves children who are genuinely in need of kinship care and meet specific legal and placement criteria. All of the following must be in place to qualify for Kin-GAP support:
- Court Dependency or Wardship: The child must be legally recognized as a dependent or ward of the juvenile court. This establishes the legal framework for intervention and care.
- Established Relative Placement: The child must have resided in the approved home of the prospective relative guardian for a minimum of six consecutive months. This placement must have occurred while the child was under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, probation department, a Title IV-E agreement tribal agency, or through a voluntary placement agreement. This period ensures stability and a proven caregiving relationship.
- Formal Kin-GAP Agreement: The relative guardian is required to enter into a formal, written, and binding agreement. This agreement must be established with the county welfare agency, probation department, or Title IV-E agreement tribal agency before the legal guardianship is officially established. This pre-guardianship agreement is crucial for program enrollment.
- Legal Guardianship Order: The juvenile court must formally order legal guardianship and officially appoint the relative as the legal guardian. This legal step transfers long-term care responsibilities to the relative.
- Termination of Dependency or Wardship: The child’s dependency or wardship status must be officially terminated by the court. This signifies the shift from state intervention to permanent kinship guardianship.
Kin-GAP Benefits After Age 18
The Kin-GAP program in California recognizes the ongoing needs of youth transitioning into adulthood. Therefore, youth enrolled in Kin-GAP may continue receiving payments after turning 18, potentially up to age 19, provided specific conditions are met. This extended support is available under these circumstances:
- Kin-GAP Start Age: Kin-GAP payments must have commenced before the youth’s 16th birthday to qualify for extension beyond age 18.
- Educational Engagement: The youth must be actively enrolled and attending high school, a vocational or technical training school on a full-time basis, or be diligently pursuing a high school equivalency certificate. This requirement emphasizes the importance of continued education for young adults.
- Continued Residence: The youth must continue to live in the relative’s home. This ensures ongoing family support and stability during this transitional phase.
- Reasonable Expectation of Completion: There must be a reasonable expectation that the youth will successfully complete their education, training program, or obtain their high school equivalency certificate before reaching their 19th birthday.
Extended Kin-GAP: Support Until Age 21
For youth who were older when Kin-GAP began, California offers an Extended Kin-GAP program, providing support potentially until the age of 21. Youth who were at least 16 years old when Kin-GAP payments started may be eligible for this extended support if they meet one of the following participation criteria, demonstrating their engagement in activities promoting self-sufficiency:
- Secondary Education Completion: The youth is actively completing secondary education or working towards a program that leads to an equivalent credential, such as a GED.
- Postsecondary or Vocational Education: The youth is enrolled in an institution providing postsecondary education, like college, or vocational training to gain specific job skills.
- Employment Support Programs: The youth is participating in a program or activity specifically designed to promote employment or remove barriers to gaining employment. This could include job readiness programs or vocational rehabilitation services.
- Employment: The youth is employed for at least 80 hours per month, demonstrating active participation in the workforce.
- Medical Incapacity: The youth is unable to participate in any of the above activities due to a documented medical condition. This provision ensures support for youth facing significant health challenges.
Kin-GAP for Youth with Documented Disabilities
California’s Kin-GAP program includes vital provisions for youth with disabilities. If a youth under 21 years old has a documented physical or mental disability that necessitates continued assistance, they can continue receiving Kin-GAP benefits until the age of 21. This support is available regardless of the age at which the kinship guardianship was initially ordered, ensuring crucial long-term assistance for vulnerable youth.
Resources and Information for Kinship Caregivers
For those seeking more detailed information or assistance with the Kinship Care Subsidy Program in California, valuable resources are available.
For in-person or online support for Kinship Caregivers and Former Foster Youth, please visit: California Kinship Navigator.
For Additional Information:
Foster Caregiver Policy and Support Unit
744 P Street, MS 8-13-78
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 651-7465
[email protected]
