The child must be under the age of 18, continue to reside with the guardian sponsored by the Department, and return evaluation forms annually. The amount of the subsidy is based on the needs of the child and cannot be more than the child would have received in family-based foster care. Health insurance is provided through the MassHealth program for children residing in Massachusetts. There are no provisions for health insurance should the family move out of state. Guardians must apply for the subsidy prior to the legalization of the guardianship.
Application is made through the child's social worker.
The Department will not provide a subsidy for any guardianship that was not sponsored by the Department of Social Services. Programmatic Procedures 15. The final determination is made by the Subsidy Administrator and the Assistant Commissioner for Clinical Services. Eligibility for adoption assistance is based on the special needs of the child, without regard to the income of the adopting family. The Department does consider the circumstances of the adopting family as part of the process of determining the amount of the subsidy benefit.