Benefits for Kinship Families

Kinship and foster families can be eligible for cash assistance and other benefits. When a child enters your home it's important to know what benefits you might qualify for (and how to apply for them). You can use our screener to determine if you're eligible for 18 federal, state, and local benefits: http://kinshipcareca.benefitkitchen.com or text BENEFITS to 211-211.

Kinship Benefit Articles

Click on the links below to explore kinship benefits.

Many Benefits Are Determined By Household Size

Some benefits like Food Stamps (CalFresh) are determined by a household’s size and income. If you have taken in a kinship or foster child your household might become eligible for new benefits.

Most Families Don't Get All Their Benefits

Only about 13% of families get the benefits they qualify for. This means that families who receive CalFresh might not also get the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Medi-Cal even though chances are good that they are eligible for both.

Know Before You Go

It’s important to know before you apply. The United Ways of California has a screener that you can use to see how much you might be eligible to receive: http://uwca.benefitkitchen.com