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

Last updated: 7 April 2026

Bottom line: Washington does not have one flat monthly “grandparents raising grandchildren” benefit. In real life, most older adults in Washington get help through a mix of child-only TANF, kinship care navigation and local support programs, and, if the child is in state custody, licensed foster care payments or the Guardianship Assistance Program. The fastest first move is usually to apply for cash, food, and health coverage right away, then fix the school, medical consent, and legal paperwork.

Emergency help now

• If the child is in immediate danger, call 911. If there is abuse, neglect, abandonment, or a placement crisis, call the Washington DCYF intake line at 1-866-363-4276.
• If the child is already living with you and you need money for basics, apply with DSHS right away at 1-877-501-2233, through Washington Connection, or at a local Community Services Office.
• If a school or clinic is refusing to help because you do not have full custody papers yet, call the free Legal Advice and Referral for Kinship Care program at 206-267-7075 and ask your local kinship navigator for same-day help.

Quick help

• Fastest cash path for informal caregiving: Apply for child-only TANF.
• Fastest local help for beds, clothes, or school supplies: Call your county’s kinship navigator or Kinship Caregivers Support Program provider.
• If DCYF placed the child with you: Ask the social worker about kinship licensing through WA CAP immediately.
• Fastest health coverage path: Apply through Washington Healthplanfinder or call 1-855-923-4633.
• Best paper trail: Keep one folder with every notice, school form, placement letter, insurance card, and court paper.

What this help actually looks like in Washington

Start by figuring out which Washington track you are on. That one step changes almost everything. If you took in a grandchild informally, your main Washington help is usually child-only TANF through DSHS, Kinship Caregivers Support Program help, and Apple Health for Kids. If the child came to you through DCYF or a tribe, the key question is whether you can become a licensed kinship caregiver and later, in some cases, move into Guardianship Assistance Program eligibility.

Washington is not a small player here. DSHS says about 53,000 children in Washington are being raised by roughly 43,000 grandparents and other relatives. DCYF also says more than half of Washington children and youth in foster care are cared for by kinship caregivers. That matters because Washington has built real kinship systems, but they are spread across different agencies, different portals, and different county or tribal contractors.

Washington caregiving situation	What it usually means	Main help to ask for first	Who to contact first
Informal care, no court order	The child lives with you, but you do not yet have legal guardianship.	Child-only TANF, Apple Health, Basic Food, KCSP	DSHS CSO and your kinship navigator
DCYF placement, not yet licensed	The child is in state or tribal custody and placed with you.	Relative support funds, licensing, Apple Health Core Connections	Assigned social worker and DCYF licensing
Licensed kinship foster care	You are licensed and caring for a child placed by DCYF, a tribe, or another jurisdiction.	Foster care payments, caregiver supports, respite	DCYF foster payment system and SSPS
Court minor guardianship	You have or are seeking legal authority through Superior Court.	Child-only TANF, Apple Health, school and medical authority	Washington Courts self-help and LAARK
Guardianship after foster care	The child may leave foster care to your guardianship.	GAP subsidy, Medicaid, reimbursement of some finalization costs	DCYF caseworker, GAP team, and GAP rules

Quick facts

• Best immediate takeaway: For most grandparents in Washington, child-only TANF is the first realistic monthly cash help.
• One major rule: In Washington’s non-needy child-only TANF cases, the caregiver’s own income usually is not counted for eligibility, but the child’s own income still matters.
• One realistic obstacle: Schools, clinics, and insurers may still ask for papers you do not have yet.
• One useful fact: DSHS’s December 19, 2025 contact list shows kinship navigator coverage across all 39 counties, plus several tribal kinship navigator programs.
• Best next step: Apply for DSHS help this week and ask a navigator to help you sort out the rest.

Best first steps after a grandparent takes in a child

Do these steps in the first few days, not in the first few months.

• Make the child safe first. If there is violence, drug exposure, abandonment, or a missing parent, call DCYF or 911.
• Apply for cash, food, and health coverage right away. In Washington, that often means DSHS plus Washington Healthplanfinder.
• Ask whether the child is in DCYF custody. If yes, you may be leaving money and services on the table if you do not ask about licensing.
• Get school started with whatever records you have. Do not wait for perfect paperwork.
• Get written authority if possible. A court order, DCYF placement letter, or parental power of attorney can save weeks of trouble.
• Call your kinship navigator. In Washington, this is one of the best shortcuts.

Who qualifies in plain language

If the child is living with you full-time, you should at least ask. In Washington, grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, adult siblings, first cousins, nieces, nephews, and many other close relatives can be eligible for support through DSHS when a child is in their home. Legal guardians and some adults acting in loco parentis, meaning in the place of a parent, can also qualify for some Washington benefits and services through the DSHS non-needy relative, in loco parentis, and legal guardian grant.

A child generally must live in Washington and live with you. For TANF, the child usually must be under 18, or under 19 and still participating in high school or a high school equivalency program under the current DSHS TANF rules. If the child is in foster care, extra rules apply because DCYF or a tribe may still hold legal custody.

Financial help for grandparents raising grandchildren

Child-only TANF for grandparents raising grandchildren

Apply here first if the child is living with you informally. Washington calls this help Non-Needy Relative, In Loco Parentis, and Legal Guardian Grant. Many families also call it child-only TANF or Kinship TANF.

• What it is: Monthly cash help for the child, not for the grandparent.
• Who can get it or use it: Grandparents and other relatives of a specified degree, legal guardians, and some adults acting in the place of a parent.
• How it helps: The caregiver’s income usually is not counted, months on this child-only grant do not count toward the federal 60-month TANF limit, and people receiving only this non-needy grant do not have to do WorkFirst under DSHS TANF rules.
• How to apply or use it: Apply online at Washington Connection, by phone at 1-877-501-2233, or at a local Community Services Office. DSHS says cash and food interviews are handled by phone or in person from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays through the Customer Service Contact Center.
• What to gather or know first: Your ID, any paper showing the child lives with you, the child’s Social Security number if available, any court or DCYF papers, and proof of the child’s own income such as survivor benefits or child support.

Know the money before you apply. Washington’s current maximum monthly TANF payment standards are set in WAC 388-478-0020. For child-only cases, these are the starting maximums before counting the child’s own income.

Assistance unit size	Maximum monthly payment standard
1	$450
2	$570
3	$706
4	$833
5	$959
6	$1,090
7	$1,258
8	$1,392
9	$1,529
10 or more	$1,662

Do not miss two Washington details. First, DSHS says people on child-only TANF may also qualify for one-time cash help for emergency housing or utility needs. Second, DSHS usually reviews cash benefits on a regular cycle, and the current cash review rule is generally every 12 months.

Kinship care payments and kinship navigator help in Washington

Call your navigator early, even if you already know which benefits to seek. Washington’s kinship system is unusually useful because local navigators often know which county contractor, nonprofit, or tribal program can solve a problem faster than a state hotline.

• What it is: The DSHS kinship care network includes kinship navigators, tribal kinship navigators, support groups, and the short-term Kinship Caregivers Support Program.
• Who can get it or use it: Grandparents and other relatives raising children. Short-term KCSP funds are generally for relatives not involved in the child welfare system.
• How it helps: Local help with benefits, legal referrals, support groups, school issues, and urgent needs like food, clothing, furniture, housing costs, or school supplies when local funds are available.
• How to apply or use it: Use the statewide kinship services directory or the county and tribal navigator contact list. You can also call DSHS kinship headquarters at 1-800-422-3263.
• What to gather or know first: Your county, the child’s ages, whether DCYF is involved, and your top two urgent needs.

County and tribal variation matters here. Washington’s current contact list shows different lead organizations by region. A few examples are below, but always check the full official statewide list because contractors and vacancies can change.

Area	Lead program	Phone
King County	Catholic Community Services intake	206-328-6858
Pierce County	HopeSparks	253-565-4484
Snohomish County	Snohomish County Long-Term Care & Aging	425-388-6381
Lewis, Mason, and Thurston Counties	Family Education and Support Services	1-877-813-2828
Spokane County	Frontier Behavioral Health	509-458-7450, option 4
Southeast region counties	Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington	1-800-246-2962

Can grandparents get foster care payments?

Yes, but only if the child is placed through the child welfare system and you become eligible for foster reimbursement. The most common Washington mistake is assuming that any grandparent caregiver can receive foster care payments. That is not how it works.

• What it is: Monthly foster care reimbursement for licensed caregivers caring for a child placed by DCYF, a tribe, or another jurisdiction.
• Who can get it or use it: A licensed kinship caregiver or foster parent with an approved placement.
• How it helps: Monthly payments, caregiver supports, and access to formal foster care services. DCYF says payments depend on the child’s age, the number of nights in your care, and the assigned support level.
• How to apply or use it: Tell the social worker you want a kinship license. DCYF says the licensing worker will help you enter the Washington Caregiver Application Portal. If you are just starting, call DCYF foster and kinship inquiry at 1-888-543-7414.
• What to gather or know first: Names and birth dates of adults in the home, home safety information, space for the child, and any criminal history explanations for the background check process.

Important Washington detail: DCYF says an initial kinship license can allow basic foster care reimbursement for up to 90 days while you finish the full license, but kin are not eligible for that initial license when placement is made through a voluntary placement agreement. If you already have a placement, do not wait weeks to ask about licensing.

Payment problem tip: If you are already licensed and your reimbursement is late or wrong, DCYF says to call SSPS at 360-664-6161 and keep copies of your invoices. Payments usually arrive the month after the care was provided under the current foster payment rules.

Guardianship assistance for older caregivers

If you may become the child’s guardian, ask about subsidy timing before court. This is one of the biggest Washington money traps. The child may be eligible for a guardianship subsidy, but only if the steps happen in the right order.

• What it is: Washington has a court process for minor guardianship. For some children leaving foster care, Washington also has the Guardianship Assistance Program (GAP) and Extended GAP.
• Who can get it or use it: Under WAC 110-85-0050, a child must generally be under 18 when the GAP agreement is signed and the guardianship order is entered, be dependent on a Washington public or tribal child welfare agency, and have lived for at least six straight months with the prospective guardian who has been fully licensed and receiving foster payments for at least six straight months.
• How it helps: GAP may include a negotiated monthly cash payment, Medicaid, and some evidence-based services. Washington also allows up to $2,000 per child in nonrecurring guardianship expense reimbursement for court costs, attorney fees, home study costs, and related finalization expenses.
• How to apply or use it: The application must be done before the guardianship is finalized in court under Chapter 110-85 WAC. If DCYF is involved, ask the caseworker and GAP staff early. If the case is private, use Washington Courts self-help and get legal advice through LAARK or Legal Voice’s Washington kinship guide.
• What to gather or know first: Your placement history, licensing status, court date, the child’s medical and educational needs, and any finalization costs you expect to pay.

Appeal right: Washington guardians can request an administrative hearing if DCYF denies a written modification request, delays more than 30 days on a modification request, denies nonrecurring expense reimbursement, or suspends or terminates GAP. Under WAC 110-85-0170, the request must be made within 90 calendar days of getting the decision.

School enrollment and medical consent issues

Do not wait for perfect paperwork to start school or care. In Washington, delay hurts the child more than almost anything else.

If the child is in foster care, Washington school staff should enroll the child immediately even when records are missing, according to OSPI’s foster care enrollment guidance. Bring the placement letter or any DCYF paperwork you have and ask for the school’s foster care point of contact, registrar, or McKinney-Vento liaison if housing is unstable.

If the child is living with you informally, district practice can differ. Bring proof the child lives with you, any immunization record, the last school name, a parent note if you can get one, and any power of attorney or court paper. If the best school is outside your home district, Washington uses the Choice Transfer Request Portal for many public school transfer requests.

For medical consent, get written authority if you can. The cleanest options are a court order, a DCYF placement letter, or a parent’s power of attorney. Washington Law Help explains that a parental power of attorney under Washington law can last up to two years and should be honored by schools and doctors. Washington’s health care consent law is broader than some front-desk staff realize, but providers do not always apply it the same way. If a clinic says no, ask for a supervisor or legal review and show every paper you have.

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

Apply for the child’s coverage even if your own Medicare or Medicaid is separate. Many older adults keep their own health coverage and apply only for the child.

Washington says a parent, legal guardian, caretaker relative, or authorized representative can apply for Apple Health for a child. For most children, the easiest path is Washington Healthplanfinder or the customer support line at 1-855-923-4633. If you need paper forms, Health Care Authority instructions for Apple Health for Kids also list phone, mail, and fax options.

Washington’s Apple Health for Kids rules cover many children under 19, and HCA also says some children who would otherwise qualify but do not meet federal immigration rules can get state-funded Apple Health for Kids coverage. If immigration is sensitive in your family, ask for language help and do not guess.

If the child is in foster care, Washington uses one statewide managed care plan for foster care enrollees: Apple Health Core Connections, administered by Coordinated Care of Washington. That usually gives the child a more direct care coordination path than a standard family Medicaid case.

Food help and child benefits for kinship families

Use the same month to line up food help. Food costs rise fast when a child moves in.

• Basic Food: Apply through Washington Connection or DSHS at 1-877-501-2233. Do not assume your SNAP household must look exactly like your TANF household.
• WIC: If the child is under age 5, call 1-800-322-2588 or text WIC to 96859. Washington lists WIC help for grandparents and relatives on its kinship benefits page.
• School meals: Ask the school nutrition office whether the child qualifies right away through foster status, homelessness, or your household income.
• Child care: Washington’s Working Connections Child Care program can help eligible caregivers pay for care. For child care subsidy questions, call 1-844-626-8687.
• Tribal TANF: If you live in a tribal TANF service area, check the Washington tribal kinship navigator page and ask whether you should apply through the tribe instead of the state.

Housing help for seniors raising grandchildren

Be realistic here: Washington does not have a separate statewide housing program just for grandparents raising grandchildren. The real options are pieced together.

Start with your DSHS case. Washington says people receiving child-only TANF may be able to get one-time emergency cash help for housing or utilities. Ask your Community Services Office about every emergency option on your case, not just the monthly grant.

Then work the local side at the same time. Call 2-1-1, ask your school district about the McKinney-Vento liaison if the family is doubled up or in motel housing, and tell your kinship navigator if you need beds, furniture, or a larger unit. If you are on a housing authority waiting list, update your household size as soon as you legally can and keep proof that the child lives with you.

Legal custody vs kinship care vs informal caregiving

These words are not interchangeable. In Washington, they can lead to very different rights and benefits.

Informal caregiving: The child lives with you, but you do not have a court order. This is often the fastest way to keep a child safe, but it can create school, medical, and long-term stability problems.

Kinship care: In Washington, kinship care can be informal or formal. DCYF defines kinship care broadly as full-time care by relatives or suitable others such as close family friends on its kinship caregiver overview.

Minor guardianship: This is a court process in Superior Court that can give you legal authority over the child outside foster care. Washington replaced the old nonparent custody law with the newer guardianship structure explained on the Washington Courts guardianship self-help page and in the Legal Voice Washington caregiver guide.

DCYF foster or kinship placement: DCYF or a tribe may still hold legal custody while the child lives with you. This route can open more formal support, but it also comes with licensing and case plan rules.

What documents grandparents need

Gather what you have now. Do not wait for the “full set.”

• ☐ Your photo ID
• ☐ Any paper showing the child lives with you
• ☐ The child’s birth certificate, Social Security number, or school ID if available
• ☐ Any DCYF placement letter, court order, shelter care order, or dependency paper
• ☐ Any signed note, power of attorney, or written permission from a parent
• ☐ Proof of your address, such as a utility bill or lease
• ☐ Any notice about the child’s own income, such as Social Security survivor benefits or child support
• ☐ Immunization records, doctor name, and insurance cards if you have them
• ☐ School records, report cards, or the name of the child’s last school
• ☐ A notebook where you write every call, date, office, and worker name

Support groups and respite help for older caregivers

Ask for support before you burn out. Washington has better kinship support infrastructure than many states, but it is still local and uneven.

If you are in an informal kinship arrangement, use the DSHS kinship care services listing or your local navigator to find support groups and urgent help. DSHS also keeps a caregiver support group listing and links to tribal kinship resources on the tribal navigator page.

If the child is in DCYF foster care, you have more formal options. DCYF says the Alliance CaRES program offers training, peer mentors, and support to kinship caregivers and foster parents. DCYF also has a respite care process for foster and kinship caregivers who need a short break.

How grandparents can apply for benefits in Washington

Use this order so you do not waste time.

1. Figure out your status. Ask: Is this informal care, a DCYF placement, or a guardianship case?
2. Open the DSHS case first. Use Washington Connection, call 1-877-501-2233, or visit a CSO.
3. Apply for the child’s health coverage. Use Washington Healthplanfinder or call 1-855-923-4633.
4. Call the kinship navigator in your county. This is often the fastest way to find local funds and legal referrals.
5. If DCYF is involved, start licensing early. Ask for the WA CAP kinship licensing process.
6. Fix school and medical authority next. Use a court order, parental power of attorney, or placement letter.
7. Turn in documents fast. DSHS allows faxing to 1-888-338-7410 and says you can use its MyDocs document attachment option after calling for help.

Accessibility note: DSHS says it offers phone applications, office help, relay service at 1-800-833-6384, and printable applications in multiple languages on its how to apply page. That matters if a senior cannot manage an online portal.

Application or proof checklist

• ☐ Apply for DSHS cash and food
• ☐ Apply for Apple Health for the child
• ☐ Call the local kinship navigator
• ☐ Ask whether the child is in DCYF or tribal custody
• ☐ Ask for a written placement letter if DCYF is involved
• ☐ Bring every paper you have to school and the doctor
• ☐ Ask a parent for a signed power of attorney if safe and possible
• ☐ Keep copies of everything you submit
• ☐ Read every DSHS, HCA, court, and school notice

Reality checks

• Cash help is not automatic: Child-only TANF is often the right first move, but you still have to apply, interview, and verify the child’s situation.

• Short-term kinship funds are not a monthly pension: KCSP is useful, but it is local, limited, and meant for short-term help.

• Front-desk workers may say no when the law says maybe: School and medical staff do not always understand kinship caregiving papers. Ask for a supervisor.

• Guardianship timing matters: In Washington, missing the GAP application timing before court can cost a family major support.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Waiting for full custody before applying for DSHS or Apple Health
• Assuming foster care payments are available in an informal family arrangement
• Failing to report the child’s own income to DSHS
• Not asking for good cause if child support cooperation would be unsafe
• Letting review or renewal notices sit unopened
• Not starting licensing quickly when DCYF placed the child with you

Best options by need

• I need money this month: Child-only TANF, KCSP, or DCYF relative support services if the case is state-involved
• I need the child insured: Apple Health through Healthplanfinder
• I need school access now: School registrar, foster care liaison, McKinney-Vento liaison, or Choice Transfer process
• I need legal authority: Parental power of attorney, minor guardianship, or DCYF placement paperwork
• I need long-term stability: Minor guardianship or GAP if the child is exiting foster care
• I need help with forms: Kinship navigator, LAARK, or Washington Law Help

What to do if denied, delayed, or blocked

• DSHS case problems: Call 1-877-501-2233. Ask what exact proof is missing, what the deadline is, and whether a supervisor can review the case. If the issue is child support cooperation and the parent is dangerous, ask about good cause under the current TANF rules.
• Healthplanfinder problems: Call 1-855-923-4633. Ask whether the case is waiting on identity proof, residency proof, or household information.
• Foster payment or GAP problems: Ask for a written decision. For licensed payment problems, call SSPS at 360-664-6161. For GAP subsidy denials, delays, suspensions, or terminations, use the hearing rights in WAC 110-85-0170.
• School or doctor refuses your paperwork: Ask for the district liaison, clinic supervisor, or legal/compliance office. Then call LAARK at 206-267-7075.

Plan B / backup options

• If DSHS is pending, ask the kinship navigator about urgent local funds.
• If the parent is cooperative, use a parental power of attorney while you work on a longer-term plan.
• If you are in a tribal service area, ask about tribal kinship navigator and Tribal TANF options.
• If travel is hard, use DSHS phone service, fax, mailed forms, and your local navigator instead of relying only on portals.

Local resources in Washington

• DSHS Community Services Office finder: Find an office or call 1-877-501-2233.
• Washington Connection: Apply for cash and food online.
• Washington Healthplanfinder: Apply for Apple Health or call 1-855-923-4633.
• DSHS kinship directory: Find kinship services by county.
• Kinship navigator contacts: County and tribal contact list.
• Free legal help for kinship caregivers: Office of Civil Legal Aid kinship program and LAARK at 206-267-7075.
• Washington legal self-help: Washington Law Help and Legal Voice’s kinship guide.
• Help Me Grow Washington: family resource hotline at 1-800-322-2588 and TTY 711.
• 211 Washington: Call 2-1-1 for local housing, food, and utility help.

Frequently asked questions

Can a grandparent in Washington get child-only TANF without the grandparent’s income counting?

Usually, yes. Washington’s non-needy child-only TANF program generally does not count the caregiver’s own income to decide eligibility. But the child’s own income, such as survivor benefits or child support, can still reduce the grant, so tell DSHS about that up front.

Can grandparents get foster care payments in Washington?

Yes, but only in a formal child welfare placement. DCYF says you must be a licensed caregiver caring for a child placed by DCYF, a tribe, or another jurisdiction. If the child simply moved in informally, the usual first cash program is child-only TANF, not foster care reimbursement.

What is the difference between informal kinship care and minor guardianship in Washington?

Informal care means the child lives with you, but you do not yet have a court order. Minor guardianship is a legal court process that can give you decision-making power. The right choice depends on safety, the parent’s involvement, and whether DCYF is already part of the case.

Do I need legal custody to enroll my grandchild in school in Washington?

Not always. If the child is in foster care, OSPI says schools should enroll the child right away even if records are missing. In informal cases, districts often want more paperwork, so bring proof the child lives with you, any parent authorization, and any court or DCYF papers you have.

Can I take my grandchild to the doctor without a court order?

Sometimes, but it is easier with written authority. A parental power of attorney, a DCYF placement letter, or a guardianship order works best. Washington’s health care consent law can also help some relative caregivers, but providers do not always apply it consistently.

Will my grandchild qualify for Apple Health in Washington if I am on Medicare?

Possibly, yes. Your grandchild’s Apple Health for Kids eligibility is screened separately, and Washington says a caretaker relative can apply for the child. Many seniors keep Medicare for themselves and apply only for the child through Healthplanfinder.

Is there help for beds, clothes, and school supplies in Washington kinship care?

Yes, but it is often local and short-term. Washington’s Kinship Caregivers Support Program and some DCYF relative support funds can help with basics, especially when a child first moves in. Call your county’s kinship navigator and ask what is open right now.

What if child support cooperation would put me or the child at risk?

Tell DSHS right away. Washington’s TANF rules allow a family to ask for good cause if cooperating with child support collection would create physical or emotional harm. Do not stay silent and hope the issue goes away.

Resumen en español

En Washington, no existe un solo cheque estatal para abuelos que están criando a sus nietos. La ayuda real normalmente viene de una combinación de TANF solo para el menor, la red de navegadores de kinship care, y, si el menor está en custodia del estado, pagos de foster care o apoyo de guardianship. El mejor primer paso es pedir ayuda de DSHS y cobertura médica del niño de inmediato. También conviene llamar al navegador local para recibir ayuda con formularios, escuela y recursos del condado.

Para seguro médico, use Washington Healthplanfinder o llame al 1-855-923-4633. Para ayuda legal gratuita sobre guardianship, consentimiento médico o problemas escolares, puede usar LAARK y el programa de kinship de la Office of Civil Legal Aid. Si el menor llegó por medio de DCYF, pregunte enseguida sobre la licencia de kinship caregiver. Si necesita ayuda en español o no puede usar internet, pida servicio por teléfono, formularios en papel, o un intérprete.

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 7, 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 for informational purposes only and 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.