Informal Kinship Care

What is Informal Kinship Care?

Informal Kinship Care refers to a voluntary placement arrangement when the state of Maryland is not involved. The arrangements for care are usually made privately between family members. Although the arrangements for informal kinship care of a child are usually made privately between family members, an agreement may be initiated by the Local Department of Social Services related to a Child Protective Services (CPS) case. Legal custody or guardianship is not required in an informal kinship care arrangement but may be considered to determine eligibility for long term benefits.

Who is considered an Informal Kinship Caregiver?

Informal Kinship Caregivers are relatives, or family by choice, of a child with whom the parent or guardian have established a voluntary living arrangement. Informal kinship caregivers provide for the care and custody of the child 24/7 due to a serious family hardship.

What Benefits are Available?

You may qualify for benefits if you are an Informal Kinship Caregiver who is related by blood or marriage within five degrees of consanguinity to a child who is in your physical care full time: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Informal Kinship Caregivers who are not relatives of the child may also be eligible for certain support services. Contact your local Department of Social Services Kinship Navigator program to learn more.

As a Maryland resident and kinship caregiver who is related to the child, you can apply on behalf of the child for the below benefits:

*Submit an online application at Maryland Benefits for:

• Temporary Cash Assistance “Child Only Grant” (must apply for Child Support and this benefit is NOT income-dependent)
• Medical Assistance/Insurance
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) formerly known as food stamps (this benefit is income-dependent)
• Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP)
• Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP)

If you are unable to submit an online application, you may:

• Apply in-person at your Local Department of Social Services.
• Apply for benefits over the phone at 1-833-373-5867
• Call your Local Department of Social Services and request an application be mailed to you.

To submit an online application for daycare assistance (Child Care Scholarship Program) though the Maryland State Department of Education, click here: Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE)

Other Benefits

Consent for Healthcare Affidavit

Available to any relative caregiver who does not have legal custody or guardianship of the relative child who is currently in their care. The caregiver must be able to consent to their relationship to the child, identify the hardship and confirm that the child’s parent(s) is not available or living in the home. To receive this form, contact your local health department or your local department of social services.

To access the electronic fillable form click here: Health Care Affidavit | CUIDADO MÉDICO – DECLARACIÓN JURADA.

Education Affidavit

Provides relative caregivers assistance in enrolling the child in school and allows the relative caregiver to be an advocate for the child in school matters when the parent(s) is not available. To receive this form, contact the child’s school or the local Board of Education.

Related Benefits

To Apply for Social Security Survivor’s Benefits or Supplemental Security Income visit the Social Security Administration.

Other Services

• Access to kin specific training through the National Training and Development Curriculum (NTDC) website.
• Access to community partners including the Maryland Department of Aging (MDOA) to access the National Family Caregiver Support Program, Maryland State Department of Education for Kinship Educational Affidavits and coordination for school enrollment and the Maryland Department of Health and Behavioral Health Administration (MDBHA) for mental health and respite services.
• Access to 2-1-1 MD monthly texting subscription platform specific for kin caregivers #MDKinCares. This resource is available statewide.
• Access to support groups through the local Department of Social Services or contracted community programs offering Kinship Navigation.

Note about Standby Guardianship

In Maryland, a standby guardian is any adult named by a parent to step in and care for a minor if the parent becomes unable or unavailable to care for their child due to mental incapacity or physical disability, as determined by a physician, or where the parent is subject to an adverse immigration action. A standby guardian can be created by the parent through a petition for a court appointment or by a parent’s written designation using a Maryland Judiciary Form.

Maryland’s Kinship Navigator Services

Maryland’s Kinship Navigator Services are an information and referral program that supports kinship caregivers who are caring for their minor relative(s) who are unable to safely remain in the care of their parents. Any kinship caregiver in the community who is not a licensed kinship caregiver for a child who is in the custody of Maryland’s Local Department of Social Services (out of home care or foster care) can receive these services. Local Departments of Social Services have designated Kinship Navigators or a community provider who is available to provide referrals to services and supports they may be eligible to receive (such as financial benefits, legal services, WIC or SNAP benefits also known as food stamps). Kinship Navigators are knowledgeable about their community resources and services available in their respective jurisdiction. For more information, please contact your Local Department of Social Services.