Relative & Non-Relative Caregivers

Whenever children cannot safely remain at home with their parents, a relative or non-relative caregiver willing and able to provide care for the child is the next best alternative.

Relative Caregiver

If you are a Relative Caregiver, you can apply for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and SNAP food assistance through My ACCESS as soon as a child is placed in your care. Cooperation with Child Support Enforcement is required for both benefits.

Relative Caregiver Funds

You may be able to receive this benefit once a child is adjudicated dependent by a Florida Court and other eligibility criteria are met (also based on Florida Residency).
What if you are already receiving TANF benefits when the child is adjudicated? In that case, your Dependency Care Manager will submit a Relative Caregiver form to update the case and change the TANF funds to Relative Caregiver funds.
Suppose you are not receiving TANF benefits when the child is adjudicated. In that case, the Dependency Care Manager will provide the Relative Caregiver form, and you will apply for TANF through ACCESS Florida.
This is a child-only benefit, household income will not be included in the determination, and sibling income will not be included.
Relative Caregiver payments for children with no countable income are as follows: Ages 0-5 $242, 6-12 $249, 13-17 $298.

Non–Relative Caregiver

Are you a Non-Relative Caregiver (NRCG)? You can apply for SNAP as soon as a child is placed in your care; cooperation with Child Support Enforcement is required (all household income is included for FS determination).

Non-Relative Caregiver Funds

You may be able to receive financial assistance once a child is adjudicated dependent by a Florida Court and other eligibility criteria are met (also based on Florida Residency).
Your Dependency Care Manager will complete a paper application with you and apply for you.
NRCG monthly payments for children with no countable income are as follows: Ages 0-5 $242, 6-12 $249, 13-17 $298

Level 1 Child-Specific Foster Home

The licensure type has been designated for relative/non-relative/fictive kin caregivers seeking to be licensed when a relationship with the child has previously been established.

Caregivers seeking Level 1 Licensure must meet all safety-related licensing requirements.
Some of the non-safety-related licensing requirements may be waived.
They are only applicable for placement of the child(ren) identified on the caregiver’s license.
Caregivers must complete fingerprint-based background screening of criminal records pursuant to s.39.0138,F.S. (same screenings required for placement of child with a non-licensed caregiver.)
Caregivers must complete a minimum of 2 pre-service educational resource hours.

Benefits of Level 1 Licensure

Families receive benefits faster than with the Relative/Non-Relative Caregiver Program.
Educational resources to educate the family about the child welfare system and trauma.
Families receive benefits faster than with the Relative/Non-Relative Caregiver Program.
Educational resources to educate the family about the child welfare system and trauma
Additional Case Management/Caregiver Support
Gateway into meeting one of the Guardianship Assistance Program’s eligibility criteria.

Level 1 Licensure Caregiver Funds

Monthly foster care board rate payments for Level 1 Licensure is $333.00 monthly.

Information for Relative and Non-Relative Caregivers

You can apply for SNAP food assistance through My ACCESS as soon as a child is placed in your care. Cooperation with Child Support Enforcement is required.
Suppose the children in your care receive any type of Social Security income or child support income. In that case, you will need to take a certified copy of the court order placing the child in your care to the Social Security office or the Department of Revenue’s Child Support Enforcement office. You apply to become the payee of the child’s account to receive funds on behalf of the child in your care.
If you are determined eligible for any benefits, you will need to reapply at least every 6-12 months, depending on the benefits you receive. If the parent lives in the home, the caregiver cannot accept any type of cash assistance (TANF and Relative/Non–Relative Caregiver Assistance) for the children, even if the court allows the parent to live in the home.
If you have been given a daycare referral, you will need to speak with someone at Early Learning Coalition (ELC) regarding the referral by calling Melbourne: (321) 752-3290 or (321) 752-3291 and Rockledge: (321) 637-1800.
If a child under the age of 5 has been placed in your care, you can apply for WIC to receive healthy foods and nutrition education by calling (321) 639-5800.

Caregiver Input Information

Fill out and give the Caregiver Input Form to the Dependency Care Manager, who will submit it to the court.
When completed by the caregiver, the form allows the court and the Department to make informed decisions regarding the child’s best interest.
Additionally, you have the right to attend and speak at all court hearings.

Links and Resources

For more information on Relative Caregiver Benefits, please contact (321) 752-4650 or visit https://www.dcf.state.fl.us/ess/tanf.shtml.
To apply for the FL Department of Children and Families, Relative Caregiver Benefits, visit https://myflorida.com/accessflorida.
Relative and Non-Relative Caregiver Handbook

Learn more about caregiving and helping children in our community on our Foster Care page.