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

Last updated: 7 April 2026

Bottom line: Montana does not appear to run one broad, stand-alone cash program just for grandparents raising grandchildren. In real life, older caregivers in Montana usually piece together help through child-only Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), the statewide Montana Kinship Navigator Program, health coverage and food benefits through apply.mt.gov, and, if Child and Family Services Division (CFSD) is involved, licensed kinship foster care or guardianship assistance.

If you are a senior in Montana who just took in a grandchild or another relative’s child, do not wait for perfect paperwork before asking for help. The fastest first moves are usually to apply for benefits through the Office of Public Assistance, call the Montana Kinship Navigator Program, and decide whether this is an informal family arrangement or a child-welfare case.

Emergency help now

• If the child is unsafe, abandoned, or you believe abuse or neglect is happening now, call Montana’s child abuse hotline at 1-866-820-5437 or call 911.
• If the child is already living with you, call the Montana Public Assistance Helpline at 1-888-706-1535 or start at apply.mt.gov today for cash, food, and health coverage.
• If you need help figuring out the right Montana path, call the Montana Kinship Navigator Program at 1-833-445-3395 and ask for a new caregiver packet and your county contact.

Quick help

• Fastest cash path: Ask for child-only TANF if the child is living with you and you want the case set up for the child, not for you.
• Fastest navigation help: Call the statewide Montana Kinship Navigator Program.
• Fastest health coverage path: Apply for Montana Medicaid or Healthy Montana Kids right away, even if custody papers are still in progress.
• If CFSD placed the child: Ask immediately whether you can become a licensed kinship foster parent.
• If the parents will cooperate: Use the Montana temporary parental authority guidance while you work on longer-term legal authority.
• If utilities or heating bills are the crisis: Check the LIHEAP and weatherization office for your county.

What this help actually looks like in Montana

Start with the Office of Public Assistance first. In Montana, grandparents raising grandchildren usually do not get one simple “grandparents raising grandchildren” check. Instead, help is split across several systems: the Office of Public Assistance handles TANF, Medicaid, Healthy Montana Kids, and SNAP; CFSD handles foster care and permanency cases; the Montana Kinship Navigator Program helps relatives find the right doors; and Area Agencies on Aging and Aging and Disability Resource Centers help older caregivers with respite, legal referrals, and local support.

That split matters. A grandparent who privately takes in a child after a family crisis may qualify for child-only TANF, health insurance, SNAP, WIC, and local support, but may not qualify for foster care or guardianship subsidies unless the child is already in a CFSD or tribal child-welfare case. On the other hand, a grandparent caring for a child who was formally placed through CFSD may have a path to licensed kinship foster care payments, Medicaid, and later guardianship assistance.

Montana also has real local variation. Benefits are statewide, but access often runs through local offices in places like Billings, Bozeman, Browning, Butte, Glasgow, Great Falls, Hamilton, Hardin, Havre, Helena, Kalispell, Lame Deer, Lewistown, Libby, Miles City, Missoula, Polson, and Wolf Point; county-based kinship contacts through MSU Extension; and regional community-action agencies for heating, weatherization, and emergency help.

Best first steps after a grandparent takes in a child

• Figure out which system you are in: Is this a private family arrangement, a CFSD placement, or a tribal court/tribal child-welfare matter?
• Apply for basics the same day: Use apply.mt.gov or call 1-888-706-1535 for TANF, SNAP, and health coverage.
• Ask for child-only TANF by name: This is often the key first money program for grandparents on fixed incomes.
• Call the school and doctor early: Ask what they need from you right now, not what they wish you had six months from now.
• Ask the parents for written authority if safe: A temporary power of attorney can save weeks of delay.
• Call kinship support: The Montana Kinship Navigator Program can connect you to a county or reservation-area contact.

Quick facts

• Best immediate takeaway: In Montana, many grandparents can start with child-only TANF even before they finish custody papers.
• One major rule: If you stay out of the TANF assistance unit, Montana does not apply your own financial and work rules to that excluded caretaker relative.
• One realistic obstacle: Informal caregiving is often faster than court action, but it can create school, medical, and paperwork problems.
• One useful fact: If you later become a licensed kinship foster parent, you cannot keep getting TANF and a foster care stipend for the same child in the same month.
• Best next step: Call the Public Assistance Helpline at 1-888-706-1535 and the Kinship Navigator at 1-833-445-3395 on the same day.

Who qualifies in plain language

You may have a good Montana kinship-care path if all or most of these are true:

• The child is living with you in Montana.
• You are the child’s grandparent or another relative caregiver.
• You are now handling day-to-day care.
• The child is under age 18, or under 19 and still in secondary school for TANF purposes.
• The parents are absent, unsafe, incarcerated, ill, struggling with addiction, or otherwise unable to care for the child.
• You may or may not have legal custody yet.

The key split: If the child came to you through CFSD or tribal child welfare, you should ask about licensed kinship foster care and later guardianship assistance. If the child came to you through a family emergency without a formal state case, you are more likely looking at child-only TANF, Medicaid or Healthy Montana Kids, SNAP, school enrollment help, and court-based guardianship or parenting-plan options.

Financial help for grandparents raising grandchildren

Montana pathway	When it fits	Current money or coverage	Biggest limit
Child-only TANF	The child is living with you and you want the case set up for the child, not for you	Payment standards based on the number of eligible children in the assistance unit; for example, 1 child = $425, 2 = $575, 3 = $725, 4 = $875	The amount is modest, and child-support cooperation issues can come up unless good cause applies
Licensed kinship foster care	CFSD or tribal child welfare has formally placed the child and you are licensed	Montana’s kinship foster care daily rate is $32.30 per day as of 7 July 2025 through 30 June 2026	You must meet foster licensing standards and cannot get TANF for the same child in the same month
Guardianship assistance	The child is already in a foster-care case and permanency is moving to guardianship	Negotiated subsidy; Title IV-E payments cannot exceed the foster care maintenance payment, and some nonrecurring guardianship costs can be covered up to $2,000	Usually not available for purely private family arrangements

These are the main Montana money paths. The right one depends on whether your case is informal, through CFSD, or through tribal child welfare.

Child-only TANF for grandparents raising grandchildren

• What it is: A Montana TANF cash grant that can be set up for the child or children when they live with a specified caretaker relative, such as a grandparent.
• Who can get it or use it: A child living with a relative caretaker in Montana. The caretaker relative who is not the parent does not have to be included in the assistance unit.
• How it helps: If you stay out of the assistance unit, Montana says your own financial and nonfinancial requirements do not apply to you as the excluded caretaker relative. That is why child-only TANF can work for grandparents on Social Security, retirement income, or a fixed budget.
• How to apply or use it: Apply at apply.mt.gov, call the Public Assistance Helpline at 1-888-706-1535, visit a local Office of Public Assistance field office, fax documents to 1-877-418-4533, or mail forms to Human and Community Services, PO Box 202925, Helena, MT 59620.
• What to gather or know first: Bring any proof the child is living with you, the child’s Social Security number if available, your photo ID, and any court or placement papers you have. If a parent is out of the home, Montana may also ask about child support cooperation unless there is a good-cause reason not to cooperate.

Practical Montana tip: If the worker starts asking about your work plan or counting your income when you only want a child-only case, ask them to review whether you are being included in the assistance unit by mistake. In Montana, adult caretaker relatives other than parents are only required to follow TANF work-plan rules if they ask to be included in the assistance unit. If you do choose to be included, Montana’s TANF employment and training contractor is Maximus at 1-844-680-4700.

Another helpful rule: Montana TANF can still be available even if you are homeless or do not have a permanent mailing address, as long as you intend to reside in Montana and the child is living with you.

Eligible children in the TANF assistance unit	Montana payment standard
1 child	$425
2 children	$575
3 children	$725
4 children	$875

These are Montana’s TANF payment standards effective 1 July 2025. The actual grant can be lower if the child has countable income or other case factors apply.

Kinship care payments and child care help in Montana

• What it is: Montana’s Working Caretaker Relative Child Care program helps certain relatives who are receiving child-only TANF and need care so they can work. Working families can also ask about the Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship.
• Who can get it or use it: For Working Caretaker Relative Child Care, you must be receiving child-only TANF, be working at least 60 hours a month, meet the income limit of 250% of the federal poverty level, and need care for children age 12 or younger or special-needs children up to age 18.
• How it helps: It helps pay child care costs, but Montana requires a $75 monthly co-pay.
• How to apply or use it: Ask OPA for a referral to your Child Care Resource and Referral agency. Montana requires the child care application and mandatory paperwork to be completed within 30 days of the referral.
• What to gather or know first: Keep proof of work hours, recent pay stubs, the child’s schedule, and your chosen provider’s information. If you are not on child-only TANF, ask whether Best Beginnings is the better path.

Can grandparents get foster care payments? Licensed kinship foster care in Montana

• What it is: A foster care payment for relatives when the child is in a formal child-welfare case and you become a licensed kinship foster family.
• Who can get it or use it: Relatives or other kin caring for a child placed through CFSD who meet Montana’s foster licensing standards. Montana says licensed kinship families must meet the same licensing standards as non-relative foster families.
• How it helps: As of 7 April 2026, Montana’s current kinship foster care daily rate is $32.30 per day. Children in foster care also usually have health coverage and case management.
• How to apply or use it: Tell the child’s caseworker you want to be considered as a kinship placement and ask about licensure. If you are starting from scratch, call 1-866-936-7837 or use the Montana foster care inquiry page.
• What to gather or know first: Household member list, home information, background-check information, and proof you can support your current household on your income.

Important: If you started with child-only TANF and later become licensed for the same child, tell OPA right away. Montana does not allow TANF and foster care payments for the same child in the same month.

Guardianship assistance for older caregivers

• What it is: Montana has both a Title IV-E Guardianship Assistance Program and a state-funded guardianship subsidy path.
• Who can get it or use it: Usually relatives caring for a child already in foster care who are part of the permanency plan. In Montana, the child generally must already be receiving foster care payments, the prospective guardian must meet foster or kinship licensing rules, and the child must have lived with the prospective guardian for at least six months.
• How it helps: Title IV-E guardianship assistance cannot exceed the foster care maintenance payment the child would have received in foster care. Montana’s Title IV-E plan also says nonrecurring guardianship expenses can be covered up to $2,000.
• How to apply or use it: Ask the child’s CFSD worker, permanency specialist, or tribal child-welfare worker whether guardianship is the permanency goal and whether the case fits Policy 407-3 or 407-4.
• What to gather or know first: Placement dates, licensure records, the foster care payment history, and school enrollment information.

Plain-English warning: Most grandparents who took in a child privately after a family crisis will not qualify for Montana guardianship subsidies right away. They usually need to look at a regular court guardianship or parenting-plan case instead, unless CFSD or tribal child welfare is already involved.

Legal custody vs kinship care vs informal caregiving

These are not the same thing in Montana.

• Informal caregiving: The child lives with you, but there is no court order yet. This can still be enough for some benefits, especially child-only TANF, but it is the weakest position for school and medical paperwork.
• Kinship care: In Montana, “kinship care” can describe a broad range of relative or close-family placements. It can be informal, licensed, or part of a foster-care case.
• Guardianship: A court gives you legal decision-making authority. This is often the stronger choice when the child is likely to remain with you long-term.
• Parenting plan: In some Montana family-law situations, especially when a parent still has legal rights and there is a dispute over care or contact, a parenting plan case may fit better than a guardianship case.
• Temporary written authority: If a parent is willing to cooperate, the Montana temporary parental authority guidance can be a useful bridge while you work on longer-term papers.

For many seniors, the best order is: informal care first for safety, written authority second if possible, and court paperwork third if the arrangement is going to last. If you are low-income, start with Montana Legal Services Association or Montana LawHelp’s grandparent guidance. If you are age 60 or older, Montana’s Aging and Disability Legal Assistance Program may also help with legal advice and powers of attorney.

School enrollment and medical consent issues

Call the school registrar and the child’s clinic early. In Montana, relatives often can get children into school and into care before a full custody case is finished, but the exact paperwork can vary by school district, clinic, and whether the case is informal or through CFSD.

• School enrollment: The Montana Kinship Navigator Program says a caregiver can often enroll a child in school even without formal custody if the child is living with the caregiver and the caregiver is responsible for the child. In practice, districts may still ask for proof of address, emergency contacts, immunization records, and any court order, placement letter, or caregiver authorization you have.
• Medical consent: If the parents can safely cooperate, ask them to sign temporary authority papers right away. Without written authority, some providers may still treat emergencies but may limit routine decisions or records access.
• When the child is in a CFSD case: Ask the worker for the placement paperwork and any medical-consent documents you should carry to school, the pharmacy, and medical appointments.
• If the child is old enough for limited self-consent: Montana LawHelp explains that minors can consent to some health services in specific situations, but that is not the same as full caregiver authority.

If the school or doctor says no, ask exactly what document is missing, not just whether you have “custody.” Then call the Kinship Navigator or Montana LawHelp with that answer in hand.

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

Do not wait for a custody order to ask about coverage. In Montana, children may qualify for Healthy Montana Kids or Medicaid, and children receiving Title IV-E foster care or guardianship assistance have a direct Medicaid path.

• What it is: Montana uses Medicaid and Healthy Montana Kids to cover children’s care. The HMK hotline is 1-877-543-7669, and the Montana Healthcare Programs Help Line is 1-800-362-8312.
• Who can get it or use it: Relative caregivers can apply for the child. A recent Montana health-coverage summary for grandfamilies notes that grandparents and other relative caregivers generally do not need to prove the parents’ income unless the parents live in the same home, but household rules can still get technical.
• How it helps: Doctor visits, prescriptions, mental-health care, and other covered services. For children in formal foster care or Title IV-E guardianship cases, Medicaid can continue through that pathway.
• How to apply or use it: Apply at apply.mt.gov, call 1-877-543-7669 to request a Healthy Montana Kids application by mail, or use the Office of Public Assistance.
• What to gather or know first: Child’s name, date of birth, Social Security number if available, current insurance information, and whatever proof you have that the child is living with you.

Good question to ask OPA: “Is the child’s case being budgeted as the child’s case, or are you counting adults who should not be counted?” That simple question can save a lot of delay.

Food help and child benefits for kinship families

Montana’s food help is often a mix of child and senior programs. The same grandparent household may use SNAP for the household, WIC for a young child, and CSFP for the older adult.

• SNAP: Apply at apply.mt.gov or call 1-888-706-1535. Montana follows the regular SNAP rule that people who live together and buy and prepare food together are usually one household for SNAP.
• WIC: Montana says grandparents, foster parents, and anyone raising children under age 5 can receive WIC support for the children in their care. If the child already gets Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF, that usually makes the child automatically income-eligible for WIC. The WIC hotline is 1-800-433-4298.
• Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP): If you are age 60 or older and low-income, Montana’s CSFP program may provide a monthly food package for the senior caregiver. That can free up grocery money for the child’s needs.
• Emergency food: If the pantry is empty right now, ask the local community-action agency or food bank about emergency food while benefits are pending.

Housing help for seniors raising grandchildren

Montana does not have a special statewide housing program just for grandparents raising grandchildren. The fastest real housing-stability help usually comes from local energy, weatherization, and community-action programs, plus whatever rental or public-housing options are open in your area.

• LIHEAP and Weatherization: Montana’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program can help with winter energy bills and some furnace emergencies. LIHEAP applications are taken during the heating season, 1 October through 30 April. Weatherization applications can be made year-round.
• County-based local offices: The office is different depending on where you live. Examples include Action for Eastern Montana in Glendive, District 4 HRDC in Havre, District 6 HRDC in Lewistown, District VII HRDC in Billings, District IX HRDC in Bozeman, Opportunities, Inc. in Great Falls, Rocky Mountain Development Council in Helena, Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana in Kalispell, HRC in Missoula, and Action, Inc. in Butte.
• Community Action help: Montana’s Community Services Block Grant network runs through 10 community-action agencies serving all 56 counties. Services differ by community, but may include emergency help tied to housing, utilities, transportation, or basic needs.
• Older-adult support: Call 1-800-551-3191 for your Area Agency on Aging if you need help finding county-level housing leads, transportation, or caregiver services.

Practical note: Waitlists and rental openings vary a lot across Montana. A grandparent in Billings, Kalispell, or Missoula may face a very different wait than a grandparent in Glendive, Havre, or Lewistown. Call the local office that serves your county, not just a statewide number.

Support groups and respite help for older caregivers

Do not try to do this alone. Montana has better kinship-navigation and caregiver-support infrastructure than many states, but you usually need to ask for it directly.

• Montana Kinship Navigator Program: Statewide help for grandparents and other relatives raising children, including support groups, classes, county contacts, and a new caregiver packet. Call 1-833-445-3395.
• Lifespan Respite: The Montana Lifespan Respite Coalition has a voucher program and respite resource directory. The toll-free contact number is 1-800-332-2272.
• Area Agencies on Aging and ADRC: Call 1-800-551-3191 to reach the right Area Agency on Aging or use the ADRC resource directory.
• Options Counseling: Montana’s Options Counseling program is for adults age 60 and older, adults with disabilities, and their caregivers regardless of income.
• Legal help for seniors: The Aging and Disability Legal Assistance Program offers legal advice clinics, powers of attorney, and referrals for older adults and adults with disabilities.

The Kinship Navigator resource page also points families to Montana Legal Services, Montana LawHelp, and Montana State University’s Human Development Clinic for discounted virtual counseling.

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

• Decide the case type first: Ask yourself, “Did I take this child in privately, or did CFSD or tribal child welfare place this child with me?” That answer changes everything.
• Open the OPA case right away: Use apply.mt.gov or call 1-888-706-1535 and apply for TANF, SNAP, and health coverage together.
• Use the right TANF words: Say, “I want to ask about child-only TANF as a grandparent or caretaker relative.”
• Ask for local help, not just a website: Call the Kinship Navigator county contact list and ask who in your area helps with school, legal forms, or support groups.
• If you are working: Ask whether you should be referred for Working Caretaker Relative Child Care or Best Beginnings.
• If CFSD is involved: Ask whether you can be licensed as a kinship foster parent and whether guardianship assistance may ever be part of the permanency plan.
• Do not trust the portal alone: If document upload fails, fax documents to 1-877-418-4533 and keep the fax confirmation sheet.
• Follow up fast: If the agency asks for one missing proof, send it and then call to confirm it was attached to your case.

What documents grandparents need

• ☐ Your photo ID
• ☐ Child’s full name, date of birth, and Social Security number if available
• ☐ Any court order, placement letter, or notarized caregiver letter
• ☐ Proof the child is living with you, such as school papers, mail, or a landlord letter
• ☐ Proof of address and housing costs
• ☐ Proof of your income only if you are applying for a program that counts you in the household
• ☐ Child’s health insurance card, immunization records, and current doctor information if you have them
• ☐ Parent contact information, if safe to share
• ☐ A written note about any safety issue, domestic violence concern, or reason child-support cooperation may be unsafe
• ☐ Bank information if you want direct deposit for TANF

Reality checks

• Child-only TANF is real help, but it is not a foster care payment. In Montana, the child-only TANF amount is much smaller than a licensed kinship foster care payment.

• Informal care solves a safety problem fast, but it does not solve every legal problem. Schools, doctors, and insurers may still want written proof or a court order.

• Guardianship subsidies are narrower than many families expect. In Montana, they are usually tied to foster-care cases, not private family arrangements.

• Rural access is better by phone than many people think. Montana has statewide helplines, local OPA offices, AAA and ADRC phone routing, and county-based community-action agencies, but hold times and follow-up can still be slow.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Waiting for full custody papers before you apply for child-only TANF or health coverage.
• Letting a child-only TANF case be set up as if the grandparent must be financially included.
• Failing to tell OPA that you later became licensed for foster care.
• Assuming every school or clinic in Montana uses the same form.
• Ignoring child-support questions when the real issue is safety. Ask about good cause early.
• Keeping no copies of what you sent. Save fax confirmations, upload receipts, and names of workers.

Best options by need

• I need money now: Child-only TANF through OPA.
• I need a larger ongoing payment and CFSD is involved: Ask about licensed kinship foster care.
• I need authority for school and doctors: Temporary parental authority if possible, then court guardianship or a parenting-plan case if needed.
• I need health insurance for the child: Medicaid or Healthy Montana Kids through apply.mt.gov.
• I need food help: SNAP, WIC for young children, and CSFP for the senior caregiver age 60+.
• I need child care so I can work: Working Caretaker Relative Child Care or Best Beginnings.
• I need a break and emotional support: Kinship Navigator, Lifespan Respite, and your Area Agency on Aging.
• I need rent, utility, or heating stability: LIHEAP, Weatherization, and your local community-action agency.

What to do if denied, delayed, or blocked

• Ask for the reason in writing: Do not settle for “you don’t qualify.” Ask, “What exact rule are you using?”
• Call OPA and check for missing proof: Use 1-888-706-1535 and ask whether the case is pending because of one missing document.
• Resend documents the backup way: If uploads fail, fax to 1-877-418-4533 and write your case number on every page.
• If the problem is child-only TANF setup: Ask whether the agency is wrongly including you in the assistance unit.
• If the problem is school or medical paperwork: Ask what exact document is required, then contact Kinship Navigator or Montana LawHelp.
• If CFSD is the barrier: Talk to the child’s worker first. If you need a broader process answer, Montana’s CFSD page lists a community liaison at 406-329-1538.
• Use appeal rights quickly: Montana’s TANF policy manual includes administrative review and fair-hearing paths. Read your notice and act before the deadline printed on it.
• Use backup paths while you appeal: Ask about SNAP, WIC, CSFP, LIHEAP, local food banks, and respite support so the household is not waiting with zero help.

Plan B / backup options

• If TANF is delayed, keep SNAP, WIC, and Medicaid applications moving at the same time.
• If you do not qualify for guardianship subsidy, look at a regular court guardianship or parenting plan with legal-aid help.
• If cash is tight because you are the older caregiver, check whether you qualify for CSFP, LIHEAP, weatherization, or local community-action emergency help.
• If you are overwhelmed, use Lifespan Respite and the AAA/ADRC network before burnout turns into another crisis.
• If a child has serious health needs, ask about Children’s Special Health Services at 1-800-762-9891.

Local resources in Montana

Resource	How to reach it	What to ask for
Office of Public Assistance	1-888-706-1535	Child-only TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, Healthy Montana Kids, case status, fax and field-office help
Montana Kinship Navigator Program	1-833-445-3395	New caregiver packet, county contact, support groups, classes, kinship navigation
CFSD foster and kinship inquiry	1-866-936-7837	Kinship foster care licensing and placement questions
CFSD abuse hotline	1-866-820-5437	Immediate child safety concerns
Area Agency on Aging / ADRC	1-800-551-3191	Local aging services, respite, caregiver support, options counseling, legal referrals
Montana Lifespan Respite	1-800-332-2272	Respite vouchers, provider directory, caregiver break options
Montana Legal Services Association	1-800-666-6899	Low-income legal help with guardianship, family law, benefits, housing, and school issues
Aging and Disability Legal Assistance	See legal clinic listings on the program page	Legal advice, estate planning, powers of attorney, and referrals for older adults

Gallatin County note: If you are in the Bozeman area and represent yourself in family court, the Gallatin Legal Assistance Clinic listing on Montana LawHelp may be especially useful.

Diverse communities

Seniors with disabilities

Use Montana’s Options Counseling and AAA/ADRC network if you are managing your own health limits while raising a child. These services are for older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers, and they are not limited by income.

Tribal-specific resources

If the child is connected to a tribe, ask early whether the case belongs in tribal court or tribal child welfare. Montana’s CFSD says it works with tribes under the Indian Child Welfare Act, and Montana’s TANF state plan also recognizes tribal TANF programs. The Kinship Navigator county contact list includes contacts in reservation-area communities such as Fort Belknap, Fort Peck, and Northern Cheyenne service areas.

Rural seniors with limited access

Montana is a phone-first state in many rural benefit systems. If broadband is poor, use the Public Assistance Helpline, the OPA fax line, your county’s LIHEAP office, and the ADRC directory. This matters in areas far from cities like Glendive, Havre, Lewistown, Wolf Point, Polson, and Hardin, where in-person trips can take hours.

Frequently asked questions

Can a grandparent in Montana get child-only TANF without legal custody?

Often, yes. Montana TANF rules focus on whether the child is living with a specified caretaker relative, not just whether you already have a court order. That makes child-only TANF one of the fastest realistic options for grandparents who stepped in during a crisis. Start with apply.mt.gov or the Office of Public Assistance, and tell the worker you want a child-only case as a caretaker relative.

Can I get child-only TANF if I receive Social Security retirement or another fixed income?

Many grandparents can. In Montana, an adult caretaker relative other than the parent does not have to be included in the TANF assistance unit. If you stay out of the assistance unit, Montana says your financial and nonfinancial requirements do not apply to you as the excluded caretaker relative. If a worker tells you your retirement income is too high, ask whether the case is being set up incorrectly instead of as child-only TANF.

Can grandparents get foster care payments in Montana?

Yes, but usually only if the child is in a formal child-welfare case and you become a licensed kinship foster parent. Montana’s current kinship foster care daily rate is $32.30 per day through 30 June 2026. If you took the child in privately and there is no CFSD or tribal placement, the more likely first program is child-only TANF, not foster care.

Does Montana have a kinship navigator or grandfamily support program?

Yes. The Montana Kinship Navigator Program is statewide and one of the most important practical resources in the state for grandparents raising grandchildren. It offers county contacts, support groups, parenting education, a new caregiver packet, and links to legal, financial, school, and health resources. Call 1-833-445-3395 and ask for the contact serving your county.

How do I enroll a grandchild in school in Montana if I do not have custody yet?

The Montana Kinship Navigator FAQ says a caregiver can often enroll a child if the child is living with the caregiver and the caregiver is responsible for the child, even without formal custody. But the exact paperwork can differ by district. Call the school registrar first and ask what they need today. Bring proof of address, immunization records, emergency contacts, and any court papers, placement letters, or temporary caregiver authority you have.

How do I take a grandchild to the doctor in Montana without a court order?

If the parents can safely cooperate, use the Montana temporary parental authority guidance as soon as possible. If the child is in a CFSD case, ask the worker for the placement and consent paperwork. If you are stuck, ask the clinic exactly what form it needs. Montana LawHelp also explains that minors can consent to some of their own care in limited situations, but that does not replace general caregiver authority.

Can I get Medicaid or Healthy Montana Kids for a grandchild in my care?

Yes, and you should apply right away. Use apply.mt.gov, call the HMK hotline at 1-877-543-7669, or contact OPA. A recent Montana grandfamilies health summary says relative caregivers generally do not have to prove the parents’ income unless the parents live in the home, but if your case is complicated, ask OPA to explain exactly how the household was counted.

What is the difference between informal kinship care and legal guardianship in Montana?

Informal kinship care means the child is living with you, but you do not yet have a court order. Legal guardianship means a court has given you formal authority to make decisions. Informal care can be enough to start some benefits, but legal guardianship is often stronger for long-term school, medical, and legal stability. If a parent still has rights and the dispute is about care or contact, a Montana parenting plan may sometimes fit better.

Where can a Montana senior caregiver get respite or legal help?

Call your Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-551-3191 for local caregiver services and the Montana Lifespan Respite Coalition at 1-800-332-2272 for respite options and vouchers. If you are age 60 or older, the Aging and Disability Legal Assistance Program may help with legal advice, powers of attorney, and referrals. Low-income families of any adult age can also contact Montana Legal Services Association.

Resumen en español

Si usted es abuelo, abuela u otro familiar criando a un niño en Montana, el primer paso más útil suele ser pedir ayuda por medio de la Office of Public Assistance. Muchas familias pueden pedir child-only TANF, que es ayuda en efectivo para el niño, aunque el abuelo todavía no tenga custodia legal completa. También puede pedir seguro médico para el menor en apply.mt.gov o llamar a Healthy Montana Kids al 1-877-543-7669. Si el niño ya está viviendo con usted, no espere a que todo el papeleo esté perfecto.

Montana también tiene el Montana Kinship Navigator Program, que ayuda a abuelos y otros cuidadores familiares a encontrar apoyo local, grupos, clases y recursos. Si el caso viene de CFSD, pregunte de inmediato sobre licencia de hogar de crianza para familia y sobre pagos de kinship foster care. Si necesita descanso o ayuda como cuidador mayor, llame al Area Agency on Aging al 1-800-551-3191 o al programa de Lifespan Respite al 1-800-332-2272. Para ayuda legal de bajo costo o gratuita, vea Montana Legal Services Association o Montana LawHelp.

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 7 April 2026, next review 7 August 2026.

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Disclaimer: This article is informational only, 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 apply, sign papers, move a child, or rely on a benefit decision.