Grandparents Raising Grandchildren in Maryland: 2026 Help Guide

Last updated: 27 May 2026

Bottom Line: If you are a grandparent in Maryland raising a grandchild, start by finding out which lane your case is in: informal family care, a Department of Social Services placement, or a court case. Most informal caregivers should first ask about child-only Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), Medicaid or Maryland Children’s Health Program coverage, SNAP, school forms, and health-care consent forms. Maryland does not appear to have one separate statewide cash grant only for grandparents, so the best path depends on the child’s legal status.

Emergency help now

• If the child is unsafe, abandoned, or you think abuse or neglect is happening, call Maryland’s child abuse and neglect line at 1-800-917-7383. The Maryland DHS site also lists the main customer number, 1-800-332-6347, and TTY 1-800-735-2258.
• If the child is living with you now, start a benefit application through MarylandBenefits for cash, food, and energy help. You can also call DSS if the online form is too hard.
• If the child needs medical care today, call Maryland Health Connection at 1-855-642-8572. Ask for help applying for the child, even if you do not qualify for coverage yourself.

Quick help in Maryland

Contents

• Emergency help now
• Quick help in Maryland
• Best Maryland path
• Cash, food, and child benefits
• Foster care and guardianship
• School and medical authority
• Health coverage for children
• Housing and caregiver support
• How to start
• If denied or delayed

Best Maryland path by situation

Use the child’s status first, not the family title. A grandparent, aunt, uncle, adult sibling, cousin, or other relative may be helping, but the right program depends on whether DSS has legal custody, whether a court order exists, and whether the child moved in through a private family arrangement.

One useful Maryland fact: Maryland’s FY 2026 child welfare report said there were 4,497 caretaker-relative TCA cases in calendar year 2024, including 907 in Baltimore City, 615 in Baltimore County, and 480 in Prince George’s County. That comes from the state’s FY 2026 report, which shows this is a real path many Maryland families use.

Practical rule: Do not wait for a custody order before asking about child-only benefits. But if the child came through DSS, do not assume child-only TCA is the right payment. Ask the worker to explain the case status in writing.

Cash, food, and child benefits

Child-only TCA is often the first cash step for informal kinship families. The adult caregiver is not applying as the child’s parent. The case is for the child. Baltimore City’s public kinship FAQ says a child-only grant is not based on the caregiver’s income and legal custody is not required, but the caregiver should still expect questions about the parent, the child’s residence, and child support.

Child-only TCA payment amounts

Maryland updated the TCA payment chart for 2026. The 2026 TCA memo says the new amounts started January 1, 2026. These are maximum amounts with no countable income. Your case can be lower.

How to apply: Use MarylandBenefits, go to a local DSS office, or call 1-800-332-6347. If the child support step feels unsafe, say that clearly before you sign forms. Ask what good-cause or safety review may apply.

Phone script for DSS: “I am a grandparent caring for my grandchild full time in Maryland. The child is not in foster care. I want to apply for a child-only TCA grant, SNAP if possible, and any kinship navigator help. What proof do you need first?”

SNAP, WIC, SUN Bucks, and child care

Food help may be separate from cash help. The Maryland SNAP page says everyone has the right to apply and must be interviewed and meet program rules. If your household includes someone age 60 or older, ask whether Maryland’s senior SNAP supplement applies. Our broader Maryland senior help guide covers other statewide senior benefits, but this page stays focused on raising a grandchild.

SUN Bucks: The SUN Bucks page says eligible children receive summer grocery benefits for June, July, and August. Some children are automatic, but others must apply. Keep your mailing address current with the school and benefit office.

Child care: Maryland allows some informal child care arrangements, including care by a relative, when approved before care starts. The state’s informal child care page says these arrangements may be reimbursed through the Child Care Scholarship Program. Call CCS Central at 1-866-243-8796 if you need child care while you work, train, or handle appointments.

Foster care and guardianship

Formal kinship care is different from a private family arrangement. In formal kinship care, the child is in out-of-home care and the local DSS keeps legal custody while the child lives with a kinship caregiver. This lane can include a monthly care stipend, respite, training, support groups, and case management.

Do not assume you are a foster caregiver. If CPS called you, or the child came after a safety plan, ask whether DSS has legal custody. If DSS does not have custody, you may be in the informal lane even if a worker helped arrange the move.

Phone script for a caseworker: “I need to understand my status. Is this child in DSS custody? Am I a formal kinship provider, restricted-relative foster parent, emergency caregiver, or informal caregiver? Please send me the answer and payment category in writing.”

Guardianship Assistance Program: Maryland’s GAP policy is for certain children leaving foster care to live permanently with a relative guardian. The policy says key steps must happen before the court grants guardianship. It also says the child must meet foster-care and placement rules, including a six-month period in the approved relative home for IV-E GAP. Do not sign court papers until you ask whether a written guardianship assistance agreement is needed first.

Legal help: Use Family Help Centers for court forms and guidance. For plain-language kinship legal information, People’s Law Library can help you understand common terms before you file.

School and medical authority

School and doctor offices may ask for custody papers even when Maryland has affidavit options. Bring the form. Ask the office to copy it into the child’s record.

School enrollment

The Maryland school affidavit is for informal kinship care when a relative is caring for a child because of a serious family hardship. The affidavit says it must be filed each year at least two weeks before the school year begins if the child is still in informal kinship care. It also says the caregiver must notify the school system in writing within 30 days if the care arrangement or hardship changes.

Phone script for school: “My grandchild is living with me because of a serious family hardship. I do not have custody papers yet. Please tell me how to file the Maryland Informal Kinship Care Affidavit and what proof you need to enroll the child now.”

Medical consent

Maryland also has a health-care affidavit for a relative providing informal kinship care. The current form says the affidavit must be filed annually with the Social Services Administration for each year the child continues to live with the relative because of serious family hardship. Give a copy to the child’s doctor and keep one with you.

Reality check: A clinic front desk may not know this form. If you are blocked, ask for the office manager and say, “Maryland has a Consent for Health Care Affidavit for informal kinship care. Can I send it to your records team for review?”

Health coverage for children

Apply for the child even if you think your own income is too high. The MCHP page says a child may qualify for Medicaid or the Maryland Children’s Health Program even if the adult caregiver does not. Children can apply any time of year.

Use Maryland Health Connection by phone, online, or with local enrollment help. If the child is already in foster care or has a GAP agreement, ask the caseworker how Medicaid is being handled before filing a separate application.

Phone script for health coverage: “I am caring for my grandchild in Maryland. The child needs health coverage. I may not be the legal parent. I want to apply for Medicaid or MCHP for the child and need help with the household questions.”

If the child is enrolled in HealthChoice and care is blocked, call the HealthChoice Helpline at 1-800-284-4510. If you also need help as an older adult with disability-related support, see our Maryland guide to disability help for local access points.

Housing and caregiver support

Housing help is usually not grandparent-specific. You may need to patch together rent help, utility help, home changes, and local charity support. Our Maryland housing guide covers more senior housing options.

Rent help: Maryland’s voucher page explains that Housing Choice Vouchers are funded by HUD but run by local public housing agencies, often county or city offices. Ask whether the waitlist is open, how the child changes bedroom size, and how to update household members.

Home changes: If you own and live in the home, the Accessible Homes program may help with ramps, grab bars, railings, wider doors, and other accessibility work for Maryland households with at least one resident age 55 or older. This is not general rent help.

Caregiver support: Maryland’s caregiver program includes older relatives age 55 or older caring for children under 18. Services can include information, help finding services, counseling, support groups, respite, and limited extra services when funding and local rules allow. Our directory for Maryland aging offices can help you find the local aging agency behind MAP.

How to start without wasting time

• Write down the case lane: private family care, DSS placement, or court order.
• Apply for child-only TCA first: do this if the child lives with you full time and is not already in foster care.
• Apply for health coverage: do not wait for custody papers if the child needs care.
• Ask the school for the affidavit: use it while you sort out court or custody questions.
• Call MAP if you are 55+: ask about caregiver support, respite, transportation, meals, legal referrals, and local aging services.
• Keep a paper folder: put every notice, form, worker name, date, confirmation number, and screenshot in one place. Our documents checklist can help you organize benefit papers.

Reality checks and mistakes to avoid

• Child-only TCA is not automatic. You still need to apply, answer notices, and give proof.
• Old portals and forms still appear online. If a page points to an older portal, use the current MarylandBenefits path or call DSS.
• Private care is not foster care. A private family move does not create foster care payments by itself.
• Child support can be confusing. Ask how child support affects TCA before you count on money coming straight to you.
• Schools may ask twice. Keep copies of the school affidavit and file a new one before the next school year if needed.
• Address mismatches cause delays. Update DSS, the school, Medicaid, child support, and SUN Bucks records.
• Do not skip your own support. Older caregivers often wait until they are exhausted. Use MAP early.

What to do if denied, delayed, or overwhelmed

• Ask for the written notice. Do not accept only a verbal denial.
• Ask what proof is missing. Write down the worker’s exact words.
• Check the mailing address. Many delays happen because notices went to the wrong home.
• Use appeal instructions. The deadline is usually on the notice, so read it the same day.
• Ask for a supervisor. Do this when the answer conflicts with the written rule or the person does not understand kinship care.
• Get legal help early. Maryland Legal Aid may help low-income families with benefits, housing, and family-law problems.

Backup options: If TCA is too small, check whether the child may receive Social Security survivor benefits or Supplemental Security Income. If food is short, contact 211 kinship help and local food programs. If rent or utilities are the urgent issue, see our page on Maryland emergency help and call 211 for local crisis resources.

Local Maryland resources

If you need local charity help with food, clothing, school supplies, or utility pressure, our list of Maryland charities may help you find nearby organizations. Call before going, because hours and funding can change quickly.

Resumen en español

Si usted es abuelo, abuela u otro familiar en Maryland y está criando a un niño, primero averigüe si la situación es informal, una colocación de DSS, o un caso de custodia o tutela. Si el niño vive con usted y no está en foster care, pregunte por TCA para el niño, SNAP, Medicaid o MCHP, y los formularios de la escuela y de atención médica. Si usted tiene 55 años o más, llame a Maryland Access Point al 1-844-627-5465 para pedir ayuda de cuidador, respiro y servicios locales.

Frequently asked questions

Can a Maryland grandparent get child-only TCA without custody?

Often, yes. Maryland kinship materials say legal custody is not required for child-only TCA when an eligible relative caregiver is caring for a child. You still need to apply, prove the child lives with you, and answer child support questions.

How much is child-only TCA in Maryland in 2026?

For 2026, the maximum monthly TCA amounts are $348 for one child, $612 for two children, $773 for three children, and $926 for four children, with no countable income. Your actual case can be lower.

Can I get foster care payments if my grandchild moved in privately?

Usually no. Foster care payments generally require a formal DSS placement with agency custody and caregiver approval. A private family arrangement is normally handled through child-only TCA and other benefits, not foster care board payments.

How can I enroll a grandchild in school without custody papers?

Ask the school for Maryland’s Informal Kinship Care Affidavit. It is meant for serious family hardship situations. If the child stays with you, file a new affidavit before the next school year as required.

Can I take my grandchild to the doctor without legal custody?

Sometimes yes. Maryland has a Consent for Health Care Affidavit for relative caregivers in informal kinship care. Ask DSS or the local health department for the form and give a copy to the provider.

What if I am 55 or older and need a break?

Call Maryland Access Point at 1-844-627-5465 and ask about the Family Caregiver Support Program. Older relatives age 55 or older raising children under 18 may be able to get caregiver help, respite, counseling, or local referrals.

About This Guide

This guide uses official federal, state, local, 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 27 May 2026, next review 27 August 2026.

Corrections: Please note that despite our careful verification process, errors may still occur. Email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections and we will 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. Readers should confirm current details directly with the official program before acting.

Last updated: 27 May 2026

Next review: 27 August 2026