Assistance

Where to go for Adoption Assistance

Federal Adoption Expense Tax Credit

For tax year 2005, the federal adoption expense tax credit increased to a maximum of $10,630 per adoption. See http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc607.html and the instructions for form 8839 at: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i8839.pdf for details. Also, read the Adoptive Families article, "The Adoption Tax Credit," by Mark McDermott, at www.adoptivefamilies.com/clip.php.

State Tax Credits

Several states have tax credits for adoptive families, sometimes restricted to those adopting from that state's public child welfare system. Contact your state adoption unit for more information.

Adoption Subsidies

Children with special needs may qualify for a subsidy to help parents pay for ongoing treatments. For more information: North American Council on Adoptable Children, www.nacac.org/adoptionsubsidy.html.

Nonrecurring Adoption Expense Reimbursement

Families who adopt from the public system may be eligible for reimbursement of adoption-related expenses, such as homestudy, travel, and attorney costs. More information: www.nacac.org/subsidy_stateprofiles.html.

Military Subsidies

Active-duty personnel are reimbursed for one-time adoption costs, whether adopting an infant, a waiting child, or a child from abroad. Find out more at naic.acf.hhs.gov/pubs/f_milita.cfm.

Employee Benefits

More employers are offering adoption benefits for employees, and the dollar amounts of these benefits are growing, with the average expense reimbursement now approaching $4,000. Two resources for help in lobbying for these benefits: http://www.adoptionfriendlyworkplace.org/ and http://www.benefitsguides.com/. Also read "How to Lobby Your Employer for Adoption Benefits" at www.adoptivefamilies.com/clip.php.

Grants and Loans

Other organizations that offer grants include: Life International, The Gift of Adoption Fund, and I Care.  Some adoption agencies and organizations offer adoption grants and/or low-cost loans. Agencies with such programs include Holt International, World Association for Children and Parents (WACAP), and Dillon International. (See the adoption agency listings in this Guide for contact information.) The ABBA Fund and A Child Waits offer loans.

Other Resources

Look into cash advances from credit cards, second mortgages, home equity loans, and special adoption loans. Consider borrowing from your life insurance policy, 401(k), or pension plan. Approach your church about the possibility of adoption assistance. Perhaps you can tap friends and relatives. Maybe you can take a second job until your child comes, or identify a birthmother who already has medical insurance. More ideas are found in the booklet, "How to Make Adoption an Affordable Option," available from the National Endowment for Financial Education at www.nefe.org/adoption, or by calling 888-878-3256 (item #508-F). Also see the Burke Family's list of adoption funding sources at www.angelfire.com/journal/adoptionhelp/adopthelp.html.