Reimbursement of Non-Recurring Adoption Expenses for Special Needs Children

The Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980 provides that States may reimburse families adopting special needs children for one-time (non-recurring) adoption expenses up to $2,000. Allowable expenses that States may reimburse can include the cost of a home study, adoption fees, court costs, attorney fees, physical and psychological examinations, travel to visit with a child prior to placement, and other expenses related to the legal adoption of a child with special needs. Some States will reimburse, or will consider reimbursing, parents who adopt special needs children internationally.

STATE REIMBURSEMENT AMOUNT
Alabama $1,000 limit
Alaska $2,000 per child
Arizona $2,000 per child
Arkansas $1,500 per child
California $400 per child*
Colorado $800 per child*
Connecticut $750*
Delaware ------
District of Columbia $1,000 (uncontested) $2,000 (contested)*
Florida $1,000 per child
Georgia $2,000 per child
Hawaii $2,000 per child
Idaho $2,000 per child
Illinois $1,500 per child
Indiana $1,500 per child (maximum)
Iowa reasonable and necessary expenses
Kansas $2,000 per child
Kentucky $1,000 per child*
Louisiana $1,000 per child*
Maine $2,000 per child (maximum)
Maryland $2,000
Massachusetts $400 per child
Michigan $2,000 per child
Minnesota $2,000 per child
Mississippi $1,000 per child
Missouri $2,000 per child
Montana $2,000 per child*
Nebraska $1,500 per child
Nevada $250 per child*
New Hampshire $2,000 per child
New Jersey $2,000 per child*
New Mexico $2,000 per child
New York $2,000 per child (maximum)
North Carolina $2,000 per child
North Dakota $2,000 per child*
Ohio $2,000 per child
Oklahoma $2,000
Oregon $2,000 per child (including attorney fees)
Pennsylvania $2,000 per child*
Rhode Island $1,000 per child
South Carolina $1,500 per child
South Dakota $1,500 per child
Tennessee $1,500 per child
Texas $1,500 per child*
Utah $2,000 per child*
Vermont $2,000 per child
Virginia $2,000 per child per placement*
Washington $1,500 per child*
West Virginia $2,000 per child*
Wisconsin $2,000 per child (maximum)
Wyoming $2,000 per child

* These States do not reimburse, nor do they consider reimbursing, any international adoption non-recurring expenses.

Source: North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC), May 2000

For more information, contact the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse at naic@calib.com.

For more information, contact the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse at naic@calib.com.

Updated on August 1, 2001 by webmaster@calib.com.

Credits: Child Welfare Information Gateway (http://www.childwelfare.gov)