Grandparents Raising Grandchildren in Tennessee: Kinship Care, TANF, and Support

Last updated: 7 April 2026

Bottom line: Tennessee does have real help for grandparents raising grandchildren, but it is spread across different systems. For most families, the fastest first moves are getting a Power of Attorney for Care of a Minor Child or court order, applying for a child-only Families First case, and calling the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services Relative Caregiver Program. Be careful with older Tennessee guides, because the relative caregiver stipend law changed on July 1, 2024, and many older pages still repeat old rules.

Emergency help now

• If the child is in danger right now: call 911. If abuse or neglect is involved, report it to Tennessee’s child abuse hotline at 1-877-237-0004 and tell the operator the child is now with you.
• If the parent will cooperate: print and complete the Tennessee Power of Attorney for Care of a Minor Child form today so you can move faster on school and medical issues.
• If you need money or health coverage fast: start a One DHS application for Families First and SNAP, and a TennCare Connect application for the child, or call 1-833-772-8347 and 1-855-259-0701.

What this help actually looks like in Tennessee

Start with the right lane: Tennessee does not have one big monthly “grandparents raising grandchildren” check. The real help usually comes from a mix of Families First child-only cash assistance, the DCS Relative Caregiver Program, TennCare or CoverKids, SNAP, and sometimes kinship foster care or subsidized permanent guardianship.

If you are searching for “kinship navigator” in Tennessee: the closest statewide program is the Relative Caregiver Program. In its 2025-2029 child and family plan, Tennessee said it does not plan to apply for separate federal Title IV-E kinship navigator funding, so this DCS program is the main statewide door for kinship navigation and support.

Useful Tennessee fact: the 2025 Relative Caregiver Stipend report says DCS paid $20,720,703.10 in stipend payments for 3,893 children that year. That tells you two things: the program is real, and a lot of Tennessee caregivers are using it.

• Best immediate takeaway: ask for a child-only case if the child is living with you and you do not want your own needs counted in the TANF grant.
• Major rule: Tennessee’s DCS stipend usually requires a court order awarding custody, the parent out of the home, and cooperation with child support.
• Realistic obstacle: many older handouts and search results still use pre-July 2024 stipend rules.
• Useful fact: Tennessee runs its kinship help through regional contractors in all 95 counties, not one local office model.
• Best next step: call DCS and TDHS in the same week, not one after the other.

Best first steps after a grandparent takes in a child

• Get the basics first: medicine bottles, doctor name, school name, birth date, Social Security number if known, and any insurance card.
• Figure out which system you are in: private family arrangement, court custody case, or DCS case.
• Get written authority fast: use the POA form if the parent will sign; if not, ask the right court about emergency custody or guardianship.
• Apply for cash and food: file for Families First child-only assistance and SNAP through One DHS, by phone at 1-833-772-8347, or through your county Family Assistance office.
• Apply for health coverage: use TennCare Connect, call 1-855-259-0701, or ask for a paper application through CoverKids or TennCare.
• Call the kinship program: contact the Relative Caregiver Program so you can ask about services, stipend rules, and local support groups.

Who qualifies in plain language

You may qualify for one or more Tennessee programs if most of these are true:

• You live in Tennessee and the child now lives with you.
• You are the child’s grandparent or another relative caregiver.
• The parent is absent, unsafe, incarcerated, deceased, in treatment, or otherwise unable to care for the child.
• You can show some proof of who the child is and why the child is with you, even if you are still missing a few papers.
• For older-adult caregiver supports, you are age 55 or older and you are not the child’s parent.

Legal custody vs kinship care vs informal caregiving

Caregiving path in Tennessee	Who can make school and medical decisions?	Main help that may be available	Biggest limit
Informal family arrangement	Usually still the parent, unless someone accepts your paperwork anyway	Possible child-only Families First, SNAP, school help, and Relative Caregiver Program services	Weak legal authority
Power of Attorney for Care of a Minor Child	The caregiver can enroll the child in school and authorize medical treatment under Tennessee’s POA form	Child-only Families First, SNAP, TennCare or CoverKids, and kinship support	The parent can revoke it or take the child back
Legal custody or permanent guardianship	You, based on the court order	Child support, child-only Families First, and possibly the DCS relative caregiver stipend	Court process can take time and does not automatically equal foster pay
Kinship foster care with DCS custody	DCS and the Child and Family Team make the major decisions	Kinship foster payments, TennCare, and sometimes a later path to subsidized guardianship or adoption	Training, background checks, home study, and state oversight

Financial help for grandparents raising grandchildren

Child-only TANF for grandparents raising grandchildren

• What it is: Tennessee’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program is called Families First. When a child lives with a relative and the caregiver is left out of the case, TDHS calls that a child-only case.
• Who can get it or use it: The child must live in Tennessee with a qualifying relative. TDHS says the child can be under 18, or 18 and finishing high school before age 19. TDHS also says child-only cases are a special category of exemption.
• How it helps: The grant is modest, but it is often the fastest cash step. The current TDHS grant table linked from the Families First page still shows $244 for an assistance unit of 1, $343 for 2, and $387 for 3.
• How to apply or use it: Apply through One DHS, call 1-833-772-8347, or use the Family Assistance office locator for a paper, fax, mail, or in-person route.
• What to gather or know first: Bring your ID, the child’s name and birth date, proof the child is with you, and any court or POA papers. Do not assume you must wait for legal custody before applying. Tennessee DCS says relatives in a power-of-attorney arrangement may still qualify for the child-only grant.

Practical tip: many grandparents get delayed because the case is set up as a regular family TANF case instead of child-only. When you apply, say clearly that the child is living with a grandparent or relative caregiver and that you want the worker to screen a child-only case.

Kinship care payments and kinship navigator help in Tennessee

• What it is: The Relative Caregiver Program is Tennessee’s main kinship support system. It serves all 95 counties through regional contractors.
• Who can get it or use it: You must be related by blood, marriage, or adoption, have primary care and control of the child, and the birth parent cannot live in your home. Standard services can work for informal family arrangements, legal custody, or guardianship.
• How it helps: Tennessee says the program can provide information and referrals, support groups, respite, family advocacy, and help locating missing documents. Some caregivers also qualify for the stipend payment.
• How to apply or use it: Call the hotline at 1-833-984-1498 or use the official county-by-county flyer to find the contractor for your region.
• What to gather or know first: If you want the stipend, you usually need a court order awarding custody, to be age 21 or older, and to cooperate with child support. Older Tennessee pages may still mention a final juvenile-court order or an income cap. The 2024 law change broadened those rules.

How much is the stipend? Tennessee law says eligible relatives must receive 50 percent of the full foster care board rate. Based on the current DCS board rate sheet, that is about $17.94 a day for ages 0-11 and $20.57 a day for ages 12 and older. Ask your regional provider to confirm the exact rate and start date on your case.

Can grandparents get foster care payments?

• What it is: If DCS has legal custody of the child, a grandparent may become a kinship foster parent.
• Who can get it or use it: This is for children in state custody, not private family placements. You must complete kinship foster steps such as training, a home study, and background checks.
• How it helps: The current DCS board rate sheet shows a temporary kinship foster rate of $15.37 per day before full approval. After approval, the regular foster rates apply: $35.88 per day for ages 0-11 and $41.14 per day for ages 12 and older.
• How to apply or use it: Ask the DCS caseworker, or contact DCS if the child is already in state custody.
• What to gather or know first: In kinship foster care, DCS and the Child and Family Team keep major decision-making authority for school and medical care until the case changes.

Guardianship assistance for older caregivers

• What it is: Tennessee has two very different guardianship lanes. A private court custody or guardianship order gives you authority, but the special state subsidy is usually Subsidized Permanent Guardianship through DCS.
• Who can get it or use it: The DCS subsidy route is for relatives caring for a child in an approved kin foster home for at least six months when the child cannot safely reunify with the parents.
• How it helps: DCS says the program can pay non-recurring guardianship costs, ongoing financial assistance up to current foster payment levels, and Medicaid eligibility for the child.
• How to apply or use it: Talk to the DCS caseworker, or contact DCS at 1-877-327-5437. If DCS is not involved, ask your county juvenile, chancery, or circuit court clerk which court handles your filing.
• What to gather or know first: Private guardianship is not the same as subsidized guardianship. Many grandparents get court authority but do not get a state subsidy because the child was never in approved kin foster care.

Also consider child support: if you have a custody order, Tennessee’s Child Support office locator can help you find the right office, or you can call 1-877-987-8200 if you do not know where to start.

School enrollment and medical consent issues

Use written authority right away: Tennessee’s Power of Attorney for Care of a Minor Child form says that, with the proper signatures, it is sufficient to authorize school enrollment and medical treatment. The parent and caregiver usually need to sign it correctly and have it notarized.

Expect local variation: the same POA form also says a school district may require additional documentation or information before enrolling a child or clearing extracurricular activities. That is why some grandparents are told “this is enough” in one county and “we still need more” in another. Bring the POA, proof of address, and any school or shot record you have.

If records are missing and housing is unstable: contact your district’s homeless-student liaison. Tennessee school districts must provide needed services to homeless children, and that can help with immediate enrollment while records are gathered. If immunization records are missing, ask the school nurse or medical office to check Tennessee’s immunization registry, TennIIS.

Real-world warning: a simple family note often does not solve everything. Mental health providers, specialists, and hospitals usually want stronger paperwork. If the parent will not sign or keeps changing their mind, move quickly toward a court order.

Medicaid and health insurance for grandchildren in a grandparent’s care

• What it is: Tennessee Medicaid is TennCare. If the child does not qualify for TennCare, the next stop may be CoverKids.
• Who can get it or use it: Under the current official eligibility guide, TennCare child limits vary by age, and CoverKids goes up to 250 percent of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, the current guide shows CoverKids up to $82,500 yearly.
• How it helps: TennCare and CoverKids can cover doctor visits, hospital care, vaccines, mental health care, and children’s dental and vision benefits. Children in foster care are usually covered, and DCS subsidized guardianship includes Medicaid eligibility.
• How to apply or use it: Use TennCare Connect, call 1-855-259-0701, or use the CoverKids application options for phone, paper, fax, or local health department help.
• What to gather or know first: Have the child’s Social Security number if you can, your address, any current insurance card, and your court or POA papers. Free language help is available, and TTY users can call 1-877-779-3103.

Important local difference: doctor networks can vary by the child’s managed care organization, so always check the plan before changing doctors. If TennCare denies a service, use the medical appeal process. Tennessee says medical appeals generally must be filed within 60 days.

Food help and child benefits for kinship families

SNAP and school meals

• What it is: SNAP helps with groceries, and Tennessee school nutrition programs can help with free or reduced-price meals.
• Who can get it or use it: Tennessee SNAP counts people who live together and buy and prepare food together as one household. If you are 60 or older or disabled, the official SNAP rules page also reminds families to report allowable medical costs. For schools, Tennessee says children in SNAP or Families First households are directly certified for free meals, and foster children are eligible for free meals.
• How it helps: SNAP can reduce food pressure at home, and school meals can cut daily costs right away.
• How to apply or use it: Apply through One DHS or your local Family Assistance office. For school meals, ask the district nutrition office or use the free and reduced-price meals guidance.
• What to gather or know first: Keep receipts for your own medical costs if you are a senior, and tell the school if the child is in foster care or already approved for SNAP, Families First, or TennCare.

Child care help for working grandparent caregivers

• What it is: Tennessee’s Child Care Certificate Program includes At-Risk Child Only child care, often called ARCO.
• Who can get it or use it: TDHS says ARCO serves guardians in Families First child-only cases who are working and/or in school. The rule is generally 30 hours a week of paid work, self-employment, and/or education and training hours.
• How it helps: It can pay part of the child care cost while you work or train. ARCO and Transitional Child Care can include co-pays.
• How to apply or use it: Start through One DHS, call 1-833-772-8347, or use the child care office locator.
• What to gather or know first: If you choose an individual provider instead of a center, Tennessee says that person must pass a background check and complete health and safety training.

Another child-focused money path: if you have a court order, ask Tennessee Child Support Services to help establish or enforce support. That can matter a lot in private custody cases where foster or DCS payments are not available.

Housing help for seniors raising grandchildren

• What it is: Tennessee does not have a special housing voucher just for grandparents raising grandchildren. The main housing tools are mainstream rental help, local housing authorities, and utility help.
• Who can get it or use it: The THDA Housing Choice Voucher program serves 72 counties. Larger metro areas such as Davidson, Hamilton, and Shelby manage their own voucher systems, so local variation matters.
• How it helps: A voucher can lower rent in the private market, but waiting lists can be long. THDA says it does not issue or accept paper HCV applications.
• How to apply or use it: Watch the THDA wait list instructions. Use TNHousingSearch.org or the THDA emergency housing page if you need a place to search now. THDA says the housing search call center works in English and Spanish at 1-877-428-8844.
• What to gather or know first: Keep proof of income, IDs, Social Security numbers, lease papers, and proof the children live with you. If utilities are the crisis, Tennessee’s LIHEAP information page explains that help is delivered through 19 local agencies covering all 95 counties.

Reality check: the Families First diversion program can help with one-time housing needs in some employed households, but many retired grandparents will not meet that program’s work-history rules. For most seniors, housing help will come from vouchers, local agencies, and utility relief, not a kinship-only housing grant.

Support groups and respite help for older caregivers

• What it is: Tennessee offers caregiver help through the Relative Caregiver Program and the National Family Caregiver Support Program.
• Who can get it or use it: Tennessee’s aging program includes grandparent or relative caregivers who are 55 or older and caring for a minor child.
• How it helps: Tennessee says support can include counseling, support groups, caregiver training, respite care, homemaker help, personal care, and adult day services. Through the Tennessee Caregiver Coalition, some caregivers can also get low- or no-cost respite vouchers.
• How to apply or use it: Call 1-866-836-6678 to reach the right Area Agency on Aging and Disability for your county.
• What to gather or know first: Ask whether your area has a waitlist. If the child has a severe disability, also ask about the Family Support Program, which says the current yearly limit can be up to $6,000 depending on local council priorities.

How grandparents can apply for benefits in this state without wasting time

• Open one folder for everything: keep notices, court papers, upload confirmations, and names of every worker you talk to.
• Use two applications, not one: One DHS is for Families First, SNAP, and some child care. TennCare Connect is for TennCare and CoverKids.
• Use phone or paper if online is hard: TDHS has paper family assistance applications and county offices; TennCare and CoverKids also allow phone and paper applications.
• Do the upload step: TDHS says SNAP and Families First proof documents still need the Family Assistance file upload tool. Many people think the first application screen is enough. It is not.
• Ask exact questions: “Is this coded child-only?” “Do you need a POA or a court order?” “What document is missing?” “What is my deadline?”
• Escalate politely: if a worker gives you an answer that sounds like an old rule, ask for a supervisor or ask them to re-check the current TDHS or DCS guidance.

Application and proof checklist

• ☐ Your photo ID
• ☐ Child’s full name, date of birth, and Social Security number if known
• ☐ Birth certificate, school papers, or any document showing who the child is
• ☐ Court order, DCS placement paper, or POA form if you have one
• ☐ Proof the child lives with you now
• ☐ Insurance card, doctor name, medicine list, and shot record if available
• ☐ School name, report card, Individualized Education Program (IEP), or special education papers if any
• ☐ Income proof for benefits applications
• ☐ Rent and utility bills for housing or SNAP questions
• ☐ A notebook with dates, worker names, upload confirmations, and fax receipts

Reality checks

• Older Tennessee information can be wrong now: the 2024 stipend law change fixed some old limits, but older brochures and even some staff scripts may still quote the old rule.

• Kinship care does not automatically mean foster pay: if DCS does not have custody, you are usually looking at child-only Families First or the Relative Caregiver stipend, not full foster payments.

• Housing help is slow: THDA waitlists are not always open, and some counties use local housing authorities instead of THDA.

• Paperwork gaps are normal: many grandparents do not have the child’s birth certificate, shot record, or insurance card on day one. That is common. Start anyway and ask the Relative Caregiver Program to help fill the gaps.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Waiting months to ask about a child-only case because you think you need custody first
• Assuming a kinship placement automatically comes with foster care payments
• Forgetting to upload proof after finishing the first One DHS application screen
• Not keeping copies of notices, uploads, and fax confirmations
• Letting TennCare or school mail keep going to the parent’s old address
• Accepting an old rule without asking for the current page or a supervisor review

Best options by need

• If you need money this month: child-only Families First and SNAP
• If you need school or doctor authority fast: Tennessee POA form, then court custody if needed
• If DCS is already involved: kinship foster care, foster rates, and later subsidized guardianship
• If you need support but not custody yet: Relative Caregiver Program services and hotline
• If the child has no insurance: TennCare or CoverKids right away
• If housing is unstable: THDA or local housing authority, TNHousingSearch, and LIHEAP
• If you are burned out: AAAD caregiver services and respite

What to do if denied, delayed, or blocked

• For Families First, SNAP, or child care: use the TDHS appeal page, call 1-833-772-8347, fax 1-866-355-6136, or email AppealsClerksOffice.DHS@tn.gov.
• For TennCare eligibility or coverage problems: start with TennCare contact and appeal help at 1-855-259-0701. For medical service denials, use the medical appeal instructions and call 1-800-878-3192.
• For DCS or Relative Caregiver Program problems: ask for the program supervisor, then use the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth Ombudsman Program if the problem is still not fixed.
• Ask these exact questions: “What document is missing?” “Is this a denial or a pending request?” “What is my deadline to respond?” “Can you note my case that I am a grandparent caregiver?”
• Keep backup proof: screenshots, upload receipts, and fax confirmations can save a case when the portal loses documents or staff changes.

Plan B and backup options

• Use SNAP and school meals while cash or stipend cases are still pending.
• Use the Relative Caregiver Program even if you do not yet qualify for the stipend.
• Ask the school’s homeless liaison for immediate enrollment help if housing is unstable.
• Use AAAD caregiver support and respite if you are 55 or older.
• If the child has a severe disability, ask about the Family Support Program.
• If you need legal forms or guidance, use Help4TN’s grandparents raising grandchildren page and the Tennessee courts forms page.

Local Tennessee resources

• TDHS One DHS Contact Center: 1-833-772-8347
• TennCare Connect: 1-855-259-0701
• DCS general help: 1-877-327-5437
• Relative Caregiver Program hotline: 1-833-984-1498
• Area Agencies on Aging and Disability: 1-866-836-6678
• Child Support Services: 1-877-987-8200
• Family Assistance office finder: TDHS office locator
• DCS problem-resolution help: TCCY Ombudsman Program

Relative Caregiver Program region	Lead agency and phone	Counties served
Upper Cumberland	Upper Cumberland Development District 1-931-476-4123	Cannon, Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Smith, Van Buren, Warren, White
Davidson and Mid-Cumberland	Family and Children’s Services 1-615-340-9725	Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys, Montgomery, Robertson, Rutherford, Stewart, Sumner, Trousdale, Williamson, Wilson
Shelby	UTHSC Center on Developmental Disabilities 1-901-448-3133	Shelby
Northeast	UT Social Work Office of Research and Public Service 1-865-974-4422	Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, Washington
Northwest and Southwest	WRAP 1-731-694-5860	Benton, Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Dyer, Fayette, Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Lake, Lauderdale, Madison, McNairy, Obion, Tipton, Weakley
South Central	The Center for Family Development 1-615-943-3822 or 1-931-684-4676 ext. 205	Bedford, Coffee, Franklin, Giles, Grundy, Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Marshall, Maury, Moore, Perry, Wayne
East, Smoky, and Knox	Childhelp 1-865-291-0289	Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier, Union
Tennessee Valley	Southeast Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability 1-866-735-8752	Bledsoe, Bradley, Hamilton, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Polk, Rhea, Sequatchie

Tip: if your county is near a region line, use the official DCS county flyer to double-check the right contractor.

Frequently asked questions

Do grandparents need legal custody to get child-only TANF in Tennessee?

Not always. Tennessee’s Families First rules allow a child-only case when a child lives with a relative and the adult caregiver is left out of the case. Tennessee DCS also says a relative in a power-of-attorney arrangement may still qualify for the child-only grant. If a worker tells you that custody is always required, ask for a supervisor to review the current policy.

How much is the Tennessee child-only grant?

The current TDHS table linked from the Families First page still shows $244 for an assistance unit of 1, $343 for 2, and $387 for 3. In plain English, one grandchild in a true child-only case is usually an assistance unit of one, while two siblings are usually an assistance unit of two. Ask TDHS to confirm the exact case setup.

Can grandparents get foster care payments in Tennessee?

Yes, but only in the right kind of case. If DCS has custody and you become a kinship foster parent, the current DCS board rate sheet shows $15.37 per day before full approval, and then full age-based foster rates after approval. If DCS does not have custody, that does not usually mean foster payments. In a private family placement, the more common money paths are child-only Families First or the DCS relative caregiver stipend.

What is the Tennessee Relative Caregiver Stipend, and did the rules change?

It is Tennessee’s main state kinship payment for some relatives with custody of a child who is not in state custody. A 2024 law change broadened the rules beginning July 1, 2024, so older pages that still mention a final juvenile-court order or an income cap may be out of date. The safest move is to call the Relative Caregiver Program and ask them to review your exact facts.

How do I handle school enrollment or doctor visits if I just took the child in?

If the parent will cooperate, use the official Tennessee POA form. That form says it is enough for school enrollment and medical treatment, although schools may still ask for extra records or residency proof. If the child has no stable housing or records are missing, contact the district’s homeless-student liaison for faster enrollment help.

Will the child still qualify for TennCare or CoverKids if I get Medicare or Social Security?

Possibly, yes. Your own Medicare or retirement status does not automatically block the child from coverage. Tennessee uses the child’s category and household rules, and the official eligibility guide shows several child pathways plus CoverKids up to 250 percent of the federal poverty level. Apply anyway and let TennCare decide the right category.

What should I do if TDHS, TennCare, or DCS keeps delaying my case?

First, ask what exact document is missing and keep proof of every upload, fax, or call. For TDHS programs, use the appeal process if needed. For TennCare, use the contact and appeal page. For DCS or kinship program problems, you can also use the TCCY Ombudsman Program.

Resumen en español

Si usted es abuelo, abuela, o familiar criando a un niño en Tennessee, los primeros pasos más importantes son conseguir autoridad por escrito, pedir ayuda económica para el niño, y solicitar seguro médico. El documento más rápido cuando el padre coopera es el Power of Attorney for Care of a Minor Child. Para dinero y comida, use One DHS y pida un caso de child-only Families First si el niño vive con usted. Para seguro médico, use TennCare Connect o vea la información de CoverKids.

Tennessee también tiene ayuda de kinship care por medio del Relative Caregiver Program de DCS. Ese programa puede ofrecer apoyo, grupos, respiro, y en algunos casos un estipendio mensual. Si la escuela le dice que faltan documentos, pida ayuda al enlace para estudiantes sin hogar si la vivienda es inestable. Si usted tiene 55 años o más y está criando a un menor, también puede llamar al programa de cuidadores al 1-866-836-6678 para preguntar por apoyo y respiro.

About This Guide

This guide uses official federal, state, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.

Editorial note: This guide is produced based on our Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources, regularly updated and monitored, but not affiliated with any government agency and not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.

Verification: Last verified April 7, 2026, next review August 2026.

Corrections: Please note that despite our careful verification process, errors may still occur. Email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections and we respond within 72 hours.

Disclaimer: This article is informational only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, disability-rights, immigration, or government-agency advice. Program rules, policies, and availability can change. Confirm current details directly with the official program before you act.