Financing Adoption

Are you worried finances will be a barrier to adoption? Please don't give up.

As you likely know, adoption can be expensive. But you don't have to be wealthy to adopt. Many government agencies, businesses and employers offer assistance in the form of loans, direct reimbursements, tax breaks and even paid leave to help you adopt a child. The following options may be available to your family.

Resources for WACAP Adoptions

WACAP believes that financial concerns should not prevent qualified families from adopting children. We have established special funds and programs to help parents cover the costs of certain adoptions:  

All Together Now Grants. Families who choose to adopt a group of three (or more) siblings from Washington State foster care through WACAP's U.S. Kids program may be eligible to receive a “Welcome” grant of $500 per child through our "All Together Now" project. Thanks to a generous donation from the Moyer Foundation, these grants are designed to help families with the costs associated with bringing a larger sibling group into their home. Whether it's used to purchase additional furniture, clothing, back-to-school supplies, or even a six-slice toaster, these grants can help families realize that adopting three or more kids is within their reach. WACAP's "All Together Now" project is also funded by the Ralph and Eileen Swett Foundation.

Promise Child Fund. This fund was established to help unite children with permanent families by reducing fees for certain children in WACAP's Family Finders program. These children may be waiting because they are older, have medical concerns, or are members of a sibling group. (Please note that WACAP cannot guarantee the placement of any child with a specific family.) Learn more about the types of children this fund helps find families for.

List of Grants and Loans for Adoption: Contact our Family Finders team for a list of organizations that offer grants and loans to help with your adoption.

Government Aid

Federal and state tax breaks and reimbursement programs, such as the following, can help families bring children into loving homes:

Adoption Tax Credit. In 2012, the Federal Adoption Tax Credit offers adoptive families an income tax break of $12,650 to cover adoption expenses, as well as for expenses incurred in domestic adoptions of children with special needs. WACAP recommends that adoptive parents and prospective parents seek tax advice from a legal or tax professional. The Seattle law firm of Dubuar, Lirhus & Engel has a helpful explanation of the tax credit on its Web site. The IRS Web site explains further. The Joint Council on International Children's Services (JCICS) also has information on the tax credit. Contact them at 202-429-0400 or visit their website.

Military. Active-duty military families can receive reimbursement of up to $2,000 for adoption costs. Contact your military branch for more information.

Nonrecurring Adoption Expenses. The federal government allocates funds to states to reimburse fees paid by adoptive families of children with special needs. States choose whether to accept the funds, and can decide which adoptions are eligible for reimbursement. International adoptions are eligible in some states; domestic adoptions are eligible in every state. Review your state's requirements carefully. To find the contact information for the agency that administers your state's reimbursements, visit the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC) website.

Corporations

Hundreds of employers nationwide have begun helping employees adopt children by offering Adoption Assistance Benefits -  from referral help and extended leaves - to cash payments that range from $1,000 to $10,000.

Check with your employer for more information. You can also view the National Adoption Center's (NAC) list of employers offering adoption benefits. For additional resources, try the NAC website.