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Last updated: 18 September 2026
Grandparents raising grandchildren in Maryland may be able to get financial help and benefits for the child or household. Key routes include child-only Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), SNAP, child health coverage, child-care help, kinship-care payments, some permanency subsidies, utility help, emergency assistance, and tax credits. The child’s placement status often decides which payment path fits.
Bottom Line
Financial help can exist even without legal custody. For informal kinship care, start with child-only TCA, SNAP, and health coverage. If DSS placed the child with you, ask about the monthly kinship-care stipend and possible permanency subsidies. Use the national grandparent benefits guide for broader options, but follow Maryland rules for payments and applications.
Need Financial Help Right Now?
- No food: file SNAP now and ask whether expedited processing applies.
- Eviction or shutoff: ask DSS about emergency and energy help; see our Maryland emergency help guide for backups.
- Child is unsafe: call 911 for immediate danger or 1-800-917-7383 for Maryland child abuse or neglect reports.
Start Here: Three Financial-Benefit Actions
- Apply for child benefits. Use the MarylandBenefits portal for TCA, SNAP, Medical Assistance, and energy help, or call DHS at 1-800-332-6347.
- Confirm the placement lane. Ask whether care is informal or a formal DSS placement; this can change the monthly payment.
- Check cost reducers. Ask about child care, health coverage, emergency bills, tax credits, and older-relative caregiver services if you are 55 or older.
| Benefit or help | What it can pay for | Key eligibility issue | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child-only TCA | Monthly cash for the child’s basic needs | Relative caregiver; child lives with you; child-only case rules | MarylandBenefits or local DSS |
| Formal kinship stipend | Monthly care costs for a child in foster care | DSS has custody and approves the kinship placement | Child’s DSS caseworker |
| SNAP | Groceries | Household composition, income, and deductions | MarylandBenefits or local DSS |
| Medicaid or MCHP | Doctor, hospital, dental, prescriptions, and other covered care | The child’s own coverage group and household rules | Maryland Health Connection |
| Child Care Scholarship | Part of approved child-care costs | Work, school, training, TCA/SSI, income, child age, and current waitlist rules | CCS Family Portal |
| Emergency or energy help | Rent crisis, heating, electric bills, or arrears | Household and emergency rules; funding can vary | MarylandBenefits or local DSS |
| Tax credits | Federal or Maryland income tax; some credits may be refundable | Tax dependency, residence, age, income, and competing claims | Federal and Maryland tax returns |
A child-only benefit can use different rules from a benefit based on the grandparent’s own income or age. Do not assume one approval means every program will use the same household.
What Has Changed
- TCA amounts increased for 2026. The new schedule took effect January 1, 2026.
- Child-care help still has a partial freeze. As of July 1, 2026, Maryland began awarding a small number of scholarships from the waitlist as space allows.
- Some families bypass the waitlist. TCA, TANF, SSI, and homeless families are not subject to it if they otherwise qualify.
Cash Assistance: Child-Only TCA
For many grandparents in a private family arrangement, child-only Temporary Cash Assistance is the first cash benefit to check. TCA is Maryland’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families cash program.
Maryland’s informal kinship rules say a related caregiver with the child in full-time physical care may apply on the child’s behalf. The state’s FY 2026 kinship report says a non-needy caretaker is not included in the TCA household, so that caregiver’s income is not considered for the child-only grant.
Legal custody is not required just to apply for child-only TCA. You still must meet the other relationship, residence, child, and application rules.
Maryland also requires applicants to cooperate with child support in most TCA cases. If contacting or identifying a parent could put you or the child in danger, tell the worker before you sign forms and ask about the good-cause process under the state’s TCA rules.
2026 child-only TCA amounts
The state’s 2026 TCA schedule took effect January 1, 2026. In a child-only case, the non-needy grandparent is not counted in the assistance unit. The table below shows the maximum allowable payment when the assistance unit contains only the listed children and there is no countable income reducing the payment.
| Children in child-only case | Maximum monthly TCA | What can change it |
|---|---|---|
| 1 child | $348 | Countable income or case rules |
| 2 children | $612 | Countable income or case rules |
| 3 children | $773 | Countable income or case rules |
| 4 children | $926 | Countable income or case rules |
These are maximum schedule amounts, not guaranteed payments. Ask for a written notice showing how DSS calculated your case if the approved amount is different.
Kinship Care Payments When DSS Has Custody
Formal kinship care is a different financial lane. Maryland’s formal kinship care page says the local DSS keeps legal custody while the child lives with an approved kinship caregiver. In that situation, the caregiver may receive a monthly care stipend, plus respite and other child-welfare supports.
A private arrangement does not become foster care because a social worker knows about it. Ask: “Does DSS have legal custody of this child?” If not, you may still be in informal kinship care and should ask about child-only TCA.
Helpful tip: Ask the caseworker to write down your placement category, the payment category, the effective date, and any licensing steps still required. Do not rely only on a verbal description such as “kinship placement.”
Guardianship and Adoption Subsidies
Some children who cannot safely return to their parents may qualify for an ongoing guardianship or adoption subsidy. Maryland’s adoption and guardianship page says children with special needs may qualify for a subsidy and Medical Assistance coverage.
This is not the same as getting private guardianship in court. Subsidized guardianship and adoption are tied to qualifying child-welfare cases and program rules. If your grandchild is already in foster care, ask the caseworker about subsidy eligibility before a guardianship or adoption is finalized. Do not assume a private custody or guardianship order will create a monthly subsidy later.
Food Benefits: SNAP
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits help pay for groceries. Unlike child-only TCA, SNAP is based on the SNAP household’s income and deductions. Maryland’s Maryland SNAP application page says you can apply online or through a local DSS office and that the office must accept a signed application even if the interview happens later.
If the household has very little cash or food, ask whether expedited SNAP rules apply. If you are age 60 or older, our Maryland senior SNAP guide explains senior-specific deductions and application issues that may affect your own SNAP household.
Do not mix the rules: a grandparent’s income may be excluded from a non-needy child-only TCA grant but still matter for SNAP, depending on who buys and prepares food together and the program’s household rules.
Health Coverage: Medicaid and MCHP
A grandchild may qualify for Medicaid or the Maryland Children’s Health Program (MCHP) even if the grandparent does not qualify for coverage. Maryland’s MCHP rules say eligible children under 19 can receive full Medicaid coverage, including doctor visits, hospital care, dental care, prescriptions, mental-health services, vision care, and transportation to covered care.
Applications can be made any time through Maryland Health Connection. Call 1-855-642-8572 if the household questions are confusing. Tell the assister that you are a grandparent or other kinship caregiver and ask how to list the child and adults correctly.
If the child is in formal foster care or already has coverage connected to a guardianship agreement, ask the DSS caseworker how the child’s Medical Assistance is being handled before starting a duplicate application.
Child-Care Help and the 2026 Waitlist
Maryland’s Child Care Scholarship (CCS) can pay part of approved child-care costs for eligible families. The Child Care Scholarship program generally looks at work, school or training activity, the child’s age, household information, and either TCA/SSI status or income guidelines.
Current 2026 rule: CCS remains under a partial enrollment freeze because demand is above available funding. The current CCS waitlist rules say families can still apply. Most newly approved families are placed on a waitlist, although Maryland began awarding a small number of waitlisted scholarships as space became available on July 1, 2026.
Important exception for grandfamilies: families receiving TANF, TCA, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and families experiencing homelessness, are not subject to the frozen-status waitlist if they meet the other CCS rules. Families eligible for TCA or SSI also have a $0 state-assigned co-payment, although a child-care provider may charge an additional fee not covered by the scholarship.
If you are approved for child-only TCA, tell CCS that at the start. Do not assume the scholarship system can see every DSS fact automatically.
Tax Help and Other Child Income
A grandparent may be able to claim a grandchild for federal tax benefits. The IRS Child Tax Credit page lists a grandchild as a possible qualifying child, but age, residence, dependency, Social Security number, income, and other rules apply. A refundable portion may help some eligible filers.
Maryland also offers an Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Use the Maryland EITC Assistant for the latest supported tax year. If a parent and grandparent could both claim the child, federal tiebreaker rules may control.
Some children may also have their own income source. If a parent is retired, disabled, or deceased, ask whether the child may qualify for child Social Security benefits. A child with a qualifying disability and limited financial resources may have a separate Supplemental Security Income (SSI) path.
Housing, Utility, and Emergency Financial Help
There is no single Maryland housing payment just for grandparents raising grandchildren, but several programs can reduce household costs. Maryland DHS lists emergency assistance for families with children who need help with an eviction notice, a heating shortage, utility costs, or another qualifying emergency. Ask your local DSS what documentation and ongoing-payment rules apply before relying on the benefit.
Maryland’s Office of Home Energy Programs can help with heating and electric costs. Current energy assistance rules say households receiving SNAP or TCA are categorically eligible for energy assistance, with benefits issued after the qualifying benefit redetermination is approved. Other households can qualify under income rules.
If rent or housing stability is the main problem, see our Maryland housing help guide. If DSS help is unavailable or too slow, our Maryland charity help page can provide community backup options. Call first because local funding and hours can change.
Legal Help That Unlocks Benefits
Legal custody is not required for informal kinship care or child-only TCA, but legal authority can matter for long-term benefits, permanency subsidies, school records, and medical decisions.
Maryland also provides health-care and education affidavits for some relative caregivers without custody. These forms do not create custody, but they can help prevent school or medical access from stalling.
For free limited civil legal help, contact Maryland’s Court Help Centers at 410-260-1392. They handle custody, child support, guardianship, landlord-tenant, and other civil issues. For low-income legal help, Maryland Legal Aid may be able to assist with public benefits, housing, or family-law problems.
Benefits and Services for Grandparents Age 55+
Maryland’s Family Caregiver Support Program has a category for older relative caregivers age 55 or older who care for children under 18. The state’s caregiver support rules cover services such as information, help finding services, counseling, support, respite, and limited supplemental services. This is caregiver support, not a guaranteed monthly cash payment.
Call Maryland Access Point at 1-844-627-5465 and ask for the local aging office serving your county. Our Maryland aging offices directory can also help you find the Area Agency on Aging. If you need benefits for yourself as an older adult, use our Maryland senior benefits guide separately from the child’s benefits.
Where to Apply Without Wasting Time
Start with MarylandBenefits: it handles TCA, SNAP, Medical Assistance, and energy assistance. Our Maryland benefits portals guide explains the main state sites.
For formal kinship payments, use the child’s DSS caseworker. For child care, use the CCS Family Portal. For Medicaid or MCHP, use Maryland Health Connection. Keep confirmation numbers and notices.
Documents to prepare
| Document or fact | Programs that may need it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Your photo ID and Maryland address | TCA, SNAP, CCS, energy help | Confirms identity and residence |
| Child’s identity records | TCA, health coverage, CCS, school | Confirms age and identity |
| Proof the child lives with you | TCA, SNAP, tax, school | Supports residence and household questions |
| DSS or court papers | Kinship stipend, subsidy, health coverage | Shows placement and legal status |
| Income and benefit notices | SNAP, CCS, tax, housing, utilities | Programs use different income rules |
| Rent and utility notices | Emergency and energy assistance | Shows the amount and urgency of the crisis |
Reality Checks and Common Mistakes
- Child-only TCA is not foster care pay. Informal caregivers should not describe a private family arrangement as foster care just to seek a higher payment.
- The maximum TCA amount is not guaranteed. A child’s countable income or another case rule can reduce the payment.
- SNAP is not child-only TCA. SNAP uses household rules and can count income that child-only TCA does not count.
- Private guardianship does not guarantee a subsidy. Ask the child-welfare worker before a foster-care guardianship or adoption is finalized.
- The CCS waitlist has exceptions. Tell CCS if the family receives TCA, TANF, or SSI, or is experiencing homelessness.
- Tax custody and court custody are different questions. A court order does not automatically decide which taxpayer can claim a child.
- Keep written notices. A denial letter usually tells you the reason, missing proof, and appeal route.
Denied, Delayed, or Overwhelmed
If a benefit is denied, get the written notice and ask which rule or document caused the decision. Use the appeal instructions before the deadline passes.
Do not stop after one denial. TCA, SNAP, Medicaid, CCS, tax credits, caregiver services, and utility aid use different rules.
Phone Scripts for Benefits and Payments
DSS: child-only TCA, SNAP, and energy help
“I am a grandparent raising my grandchild full time in an informal arrangement. I want child-only TCA and to check SNAP, Medical Assistance, and energy help. Is my income excluded from the child-only case? What documents do you need next?”
DSS caseworker: kinship payments
“Does DSS have legal custody, and am I approved as a formal kinship caregiver? What monthly payment applies? If guardianship or adoption is planned, could a subsidy continue, and what must be approved first?”
CCS: child-care financial help
“I need help paying for my grandchild’s child care. My household receives TCA, TANF, or SSI [if true]. Does the waitlist apply? What is my state co-payment, could the provider charge more, and what documents are required?”
Court Help: legal authority
“I am a grandparent caring for a child. I can get some benefits without custody, but I need to know whether a custody or guardianship order is needed for long-term benefits, school, or medical decisions. Which process fits?”
Resumen en español
Los abuelos que crían a sus nietos en Maryland pueden tener acceso a ayuda financiera y beneficios. En un arreglo informal, pregunte por TCA solamente para el niño, SNAP, Medicaid o MCHP y ayuda de energía. Maryland indica que el ingreso del abuelo no determina el TCA solamente para el niño y que no se exige custodia legal para solicitarlo.
Si DSS tiene la custodia, pregunte por el pago mensual de parentesco y posibles subsidios de tutela o adopción. Para cuidado infantil, pregunte por Child Care Scholarship. Las familias con TANF, TCA o SSI y las familias sin hogar no están sujetas a la lista de espera actual si cumplen las demás reglas.
Llame a DHS al 1-800-332-6347. Si tiene 55 años o más, llame a Maryland Access Point al 1-844-627-5465. Si le niegan un beneficio, pida la decisión por escrito y revise el plazo de apelación.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get child-only TCA without legal custody?
Yes. Maryland says an eligible relative caregiver can apply without legal custody. In a non-needy child-only case, the caregiver is not included in the assistance unit, so the caregiver’s income is not the basis for the grant.
How much is child-only TCA in Maryland in 2026?
The maximum schedule is $348 a month for one child, $612 for two, $773 for three, and $926 for four when no countable income reduces the child-only case. Actual payments can be lower.
Can I get kinship payments after a private family move?
Not the formal foster-care stipend just because the child moved in. That monthly stipend is tied to DSS custody and a formal kinship placement. Informal caregivers should ask about child-only TCA and other benefits.
Can I get SNAP for a grandchild?
You may qualify, but SNAP uses household, income, and deduction rules that differ from child-only TCA. Apply and let DSS decide which people and income belong in the SNAP household.
Can my grandchild get Medicaid if I cannot?
Possibly. Maryland says a child may qualify for Medicaid or MCHP even when the adult caregiver does not. Apply for the child and let Maryland Health Connection determine the correct rules.
Does the child-care waitlist apply to TCA families?
Maryland says families receiving TANF, TCA, or SSI, and families experiencing homelessness, are not subject to the current frozen-status waitlist if they meet the other Child Care Scholarship rules.
Can I claim tax credits for my grandchild?
Possibly. A grandchild can meet the relationship test for federal child-related tax credits, but residence, age, dependency, Social Security number, income, and competing-claim rules also matter.
About This Guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources linked in the article.
Editorial note
This guide is produced under the GFS Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources. GFS is not affiliated with a government agency and is not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
Corrections
Despite careful verification, errors may occur. Readers may email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections.
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, funding, and availability can change. Readers should confirm current details directly with the responsible official program before acting.
Last updated: 18 September 2026 · Next review: 18 January 2027
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