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

Written & Reviewed by

Analic Mata-Murray

Analic Mata-Murray

Managing Editor

Yolanda Taylor

Yolanda Taylor

Senior Healthcare Editor

Last updated: April 7, 2026

Bottom line: Utah does not appear to offer one simple statewide “grandparent grant” for every family. In most Utah cases, the fastest real help is the Specified Relative program through the Utah Department of Workforce Services for child-only cash, plus medical and food help through myCase, and free kinship support through GRANDfamilies. If the child is already in a Utah Division of Child and Family Services kinship care case, a licensed foster-care path may also be possible.

Emergency help now

  • If the child is unsafe right now: Call 911 or Utah DCFS at 1-855-323-3237 to report abuse, neglect, or abandonment through the state child protection system.
  • If the child needs medical care now: Get treatment. Under Utah law on consent to health care, a grandparent may consent for a minor grandchild in the absence of a parent.
  • If you need food, rent, shelter, or utility help today: Call 211 Utah at 211 or 1-888-826-9790, or text your ZIP code to 801-845-2211.

Quick help

Best first steps after a grandparent takes in a child

  1. Make the child safe first. If you think the child cannot safely go back home, do not wait for paperwork before calling DCFS or 911.
  2. Open a Utah benefits case right away. The Specified Relative program is often the first real cash option for grandparents raising grandchildren in Utah.
  3. Get whatever paper you can get. If the parent is cooperative, ask about a temporary delegation of parental authority while you decide whether you need full court guardianship.
  4. Call GRANDfamilies early. Utah’s GRANDfamilies program can help with applications, school questions, and guardianship planning.
  5. Fix school and doctor access before a crisis. Utah schools and medical offices do not all accept the same papers, so ask exactly what they want.

What this type of help actually looks like in Utah

Start with the right system: Utah uses different systems for different family situations. If you quietly take in a grandchild and DCFS is not involved, your main first-stop offices are usually DWS Financial Help, Utah medical assistance, and GRANDfamilies. If the child comes to you through state custody, then DCFS kinship care and possibly Utah Foster Care become central.

Utah-specific reality: Utah’s public pages do not show a separate statewide kinship guardianship payment for informal grandparent caregivers. Instead, Utah pushes families toward real programs that already exist: child-only TANF through the Specified Relative program, school access through Utah school residency and guardianship rules, medical coverage through child Medicaid and CHIP, utility help through HEAT, and local crisis help through 211 Utah. Children’s Service Society of Utah says more than 21,000 Utah children are being raised by relatives other than their biological parents, so you are not alone, but you do need to move fast and use the right offices.

Quick facts

  • Best immediate takeaway: In Utah, ask DWS about the Specified Relative program, not just “cash help.”
  • One major rule: If you want child-only help, DWS looks at the child’s income and assets; if you want help for yourself too, DWS also looks at your finances and work rules.
  • One realistic obstacle: School and medical access can still stall if you do not have the right Utah paper for your situation.
  • One useful fact: Utah says you do not need guardianship or custody to apply for a Specified Relative grant.
  • Best next step: Call DWS and GRANDfamilies the same day, then deal with guardianship and school papers.

Who qualifies in plain language

Legal custody vs kinship care vs informal caregiving

Utah situation What it usually lets you do Best first Utah contact Main limit
Informal caregiving Lets you take in the child and apply for some help, including the Specified Relative program DWS Eligibility Services Weak for school, medical, and long-term decision-making
Temporary delegation of parental authority Lets a parent give you temporary authority for care and decisions through a power of attorney Utah Courts family emergencies page Usually lasts only six months under Utah Code Section 75-5-103 and is not legal guardianship
School-based guardianship or district residency path May solve school enrollment when a parent lives out of state Your local school district enrollment office and Section 53G-6-303 Not every Utah district uses the same policy
Court guardianship of a minor Gives broad legal authority for education, medical care, and daily decisions Utah Courts minor guardianship forms Takes paperwork, service on parents, and sometimes a hearing
DCFS kinship or foster placement Can open a licensed foster-care route if the child is in state custody DCFS kinship care and Utah Foster Care Only applies when DCFS is involved, and licensing rules can delay payment

Important: In Utah, these categories are not the same. A grandparent can be doing a loving, full-time job and still not have the same rights as a court-appointed guardian or a licensed foster parent. That difference affects money, school, health care, and child support.

Financial help for grandparents raising grandchildren

Child-only TANF for grandparents raising grandchildren

  • What it is: Utah’s Specified Relative program, which is the main child-only Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) path for many grandparents raising grandchildren.
  • Who can get it or use it: A grandparent, sibling, aunt, uncle, or other qualified relative with a child living in the home when both parents are absent. If you ask for help only for the child, DWS says it looks at the child’s income and assets. If you ask for help for yourself too, DWS also looks at your income and assets.
  • How it helps: It can provide monthly cash help, and Utah says you can apply for medical, SNAP, and child care at the same time.
  • How to apply or use it: Apply in myCase, call 1-866-435-7414, or go to a local DWS employment center. Say you want the Specified Relative or child-only route.
  • What to gather or know first: Utah asks for the child’s birth certificate and your birth certificate to show the relationship, or a marriage license if the relationship is through marriage. DWS may also ask for court papers showing the child lives with you. Utah also says you must cooperate with the Office of Recovery Services for child support collection.

Kinship care payments and kinship navigator help in Utah

  • What it is: Utah’s kinship care support system includes DCFS kinship care and the statewide GRANDfamilies program at Children’s Service Society of Utah.
  • Who can get it or use it: Families inside or outside the child welfare system. Utah’s current Child and Family Services Plan says kinship navigator services are for relatives, fictive kin, families at risk of foster care, and families already in foster care or guardianship.
  • How it helps: GRANDfamilies offers free case management, application help, referrals, classes, events, and clinical services. The state plan says in-person Foster Kinship Navigator services are available in Box Elder, Cache, Salt Lake, Tooele, Uintah, Washington, Weber, and Utah County, with virtual or adjacent-county help for the remaining counties. Davis County is the main exception to that in-person map.
  • How to apply or use it: Start with the GRANDfamilies resource page or call 801-326-4409, 801-355-7444, or 1-800-839-7444.
  • What to gather or know first: Utah’s public pages do not show a separate statewide kinship stipend for informal caregivers. If DCFS is not involved, most families still need to use DWS benefits for cash help.

Can grandparents get foster care payments?

  • What it is: A foster-care reimbursement path may open if the child is in DCFS custody and the grandparent becomes a licensed foster or resource family under Utah’s foster care rules.
  • Who can get it or use it: Relatives are a preferred placement under Utah kinship care rules. Friends can sometimes be considered too, but the DCFS page says friends must be willing to become licensed foster parents for the specific child.
  • How it helps: Licensed families can access foster-care reimbursement, training, and ongoing support. Utah’s public pages do not post one simple statewide payment chart for families to rely on.
  • How to apply or use it: If there is already a DCFS case, tell the caseworker you want a kinship placement review. If you are exploring licensing, use Utah Foster Care’s training page or call 1-877-505-KIDS.
  • What to gather or know first: Foster licensing is not instant. Utah says foster parents must be financially stable, pass background checks, meet home standards, and complete training. Informal grandparent care outside DCFS does not automatically create a foster payment.

Food help and child benefits for kinship families

  • What it is: Utah food help usually means SNAP, school meal access through the child’s school, and Utah’s SUN Bucks summer grocery program when the state opens each year’s benefit cycle.
  • Who can get it or use it: Low-income kinship households and eligible children. Utah’s SUN Bucks pages show that children connected to SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, or free or reduced-price school meals are often the families the system looks for first.
  • How it helps: SNAP can help with monthly groceries, and SUN Bucks can help during summer. Keep your address current in myCase so cards and notices go to the right home.
  • How to apply or use it: Use myCase or call 1-866-435-7414. Ask the child’s school office about meal paperwork if the child is newly living with you.
  • What to gather or know first: Report any child income, including child support or Social Security paid for the child. For SUN Bucks, do not assume last year’s dates still apply. Check the current DWS page before you act.

Housing help for seniors raising grandchildren

  • What it is: Utah’s main statewide utility programs are the HEAT Program and the Weatherization Assistance Program. Local rent and shelter help usually runs through county and nonprofit networks found by 211 Utah.
  • Who can get it or use it: HEAT is for households at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. Utah says households with someone age 60 or older, a person with a disability, or a child under 6 can apply from October 1 through September 30, or until funds run out. Weatherization serves households up to 200% of poverty and gives priority to the elderly and disabled.
  • How it helps: HEAT can help with utility bills and crisis shut-off situations. Utah’s current HEAT income table also shows an extra $150 for a household with at least one person age 60 or older or a child under 6.
  • How to apply or use it: Use the HEAT page, call your local HEAT office if shut-off is close, and use 211 Utah for local rent, motel, or shelter leads.
  • What to gather or know first: Utah does not use one statewide rent-relief desk for kinship families. County and city variation is real, so 211 is often the fastest local routing tool.

Guardianship assistance for older caregivers

School enrollment and medical consent issues

  • What it is: Utah school access can depend on where the parent lives, what district policy says, and whether you have a power of attorney, school-based guardianship, or court guardianship.
  • Who can get it or use it: The school-based guardianship law applies only if the custodial parent is outside Utah and the local school board has adopted a policy. Utah law also allows certain out-of-state-parent residency situations under district rules.
  • How it helps: A district-accepted power of attorney or school-based guardianship can solve enrollment faster than waiting for a full court case. Utah law also says a grandparent may consent to health care in the absence of a parent.
  • How to apply or use it: Call the district enrollment office or school main office and ask two direct questions: “What paper do you need for a child now living with a grandparent?” and “Do you use the school-based guardianship option under Section 53G-6-303?”
  • What to gather or know first: Bring the child’s birth record, proof of where the child sleeps, any power of attorney, guardianship papers, and school records. A power of attorney can help, but Utah law says it does not create legal guardianship by itself.

Local variation matters: Some Utah districts are used to these cases and have clear forms. Others may send you back and forth between the school and district office. If a district has adopted the school-based guardianship process and denies the request, Utah law allows an appeal to district court under Section 53G-6-303.

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

  • What it is: Utah children may qualify for Child 0-5 Medical, Child 6-18 Medical, Child Medically Needy, CHIP, or State CHIP. Some grandparents may also qualify for Parent/Caretaker Relative Medicaid.
  • Who can get it or use it: Child 6-18 Medicaid has no asset limit. The Child Medically Needy rules say that if the children are not living with their parents, the income and assets of adult household members do not count for that category. Utah’s Parent/Caretaker Relative program covers a relative by blood, adoption, or marriage who assumes primary responsibility for a dependent child, with no asset test.
  • How it helps: It can cover the child’s medical care and, in some cases, the adult caregiver’s coverage too. CHIP is for children who do not qualify for Medicaid and are not already insured.
  • How to apply or use it: Apply through myCase or call 1-866-435-7414. Apply at the same time as cash and SNAP so DWS sees the full picture.
  • What to gather or know first: As of April 7, 2026, Utah’s State CHIP page says the special open enrollment period that began May 1, 2025 closed on January 31, 2026, though children already on State CHIP remain covered. If your grandchild is not a U.S. citizen, do not guess. Ask DWS what category is open now.

Support groups and respite help for older caregivers

  • What it is: Utah’s main support options include GRANDfamilies, Utah Foster Care cluster groups, and local Crisis Nursery or Family Support Center services found through the DCFS county map.
  • Who can get it or use it: GRANDfamilies serves kinship families whether or not child welfare is involved. Utah Foster Care clusters are for foster, adoptive, kinship, and specific care families. Crisis nursery and respite availability varies by county and provider.
  • How it helps: These programs can give you classes, support groups, grief support, peer advice, and in some places short-term child care so you can handle court, medical, work, or rest.
  • How to apply or use it: Use Children’s Service Society kinship support information, the Utah Foster Care support group page, or 211 Utah.
  • What to gather or know first: Some support groups are invitation-only. Emergency child care and respite slots can be full, so call before you drive across town.

How grandparents can apply for benefits in this state

How to apply or use these programs without wasting time

  1. Pick the right lane first. If the child is simply living with you, start with DWS. If the child is unsafe or already in state custody, start with DCFS.
  2. Open one myCase application. Use myCase for financial, SNAP, medical, and child care benefits, or call 1-866-435-7414.
  3. Use the right words. Tell DWS you are a grandparent raising grandchildren and want to be screened for the Specified Relative program, child medical, and SNAP.
  4. Send proof fast. If online upload is hard, use the DWS fax number 1-877-313-4717 or mail papers to Imaging Operations, P.O. Box 143245, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-3245 through the Eligibility Services contact page.
  5. Call GRANDfamilies while the case is pending. A kinship advocate can often help you avoid common paperwork mistakes.
  6. Handle school papers early. Do not wait until the first day of class to ask about residency, guardianship, or power of attorney rules.
  7. If DCFS is involved, ask one direct question. “Is this an informal kinship situation, or should I be pursuing licensed kinship/foster placement?”
  8. Watch every notice. Check mail, voicemail, and myCase often. Many Utah delays happen because a family misses a request for proof.

Accessibility and language help: DWS says language help is available by phone at 1-866-435-7414. People who are deaf, hard of hearing, or who have speech impairments can use Relay Utah by dialing 711. 211 Utah also offers phone help in more than 200 languages.

What documents grandparents need

  • ☐ Your photo ID
  • ☐ The child’s birth certificate
  • ☐ Your birth certificate, or a marriage license if the relationship is through marriage
  • ☐ Any court papers, police papers, hospital papers, or DCFS papers
  • ☐ Social Security numbers, if available
  • ☐ Proof the child is living with you, such as school records, a note from a parent, or court papers
  • ☐ Any written parent consent, temporary power of attorney, or guardianship paper
  • ☐ Proof of income for the child and for anyone included on the application
  • ☐ Rent receipt, lease, mortgage statement, and utility bills
  • ☐ Current health insurance cards or Medicaid numbers
  • ☐ School records, immunization records, and names of past schools or doctors
  • ☐ A notebook with dates, names of workers, and confirmation numbers

Reality checks

  • Child-only TANF is not the same as a foster payment: It can help, but it is usually the smaller and faster DWS path, not the child-welfare reimbursement path.
  • DWS and DCFS are different systems: A DWS approval does not make you a foster parent, and a DCFS kinship case does not automatically fix your DWS benefits.
  • Paperwork can still block school and health care: Utah law gives grandparents some rights, but schools and providers often still ask for a specific form or order.
  • Local variation is real in Utah: School-based guardianship, in-person kinship navigation, local legal aid, HEAT offices, and respite help can look different by county or district.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Waiting for full guardianship before you apply for DWS help.
  • Asking for help for yourself and the child when you really mean child-only help.
  • Forgetting to report the child’s income, child support, or Social Security.
  • Assuming informal care automatically qualifies you for foster-care reimbursement.
  • Applying for General Assistance when a dependent child is living with you 50% or more of the time. Utah says that program is for adults without dependent children in the home that much.
  • Letting a school office tell you “no” without asking whether the district uses residency rules or school-based guardianship for out-of-state-parent situations.
  • Ignoring phone calls, mailed notices, or myCase messages for even a week.

Best options by need

What to do if denied, delayed, or blocked

  • If DWS denies or delays benefits: Call 1-866-435-7414, ask exactly what proof is missing, and ask where to send it. If you disagree with the decision, use the fair hearing process or call 1-877-837-3247.
  • If a DCFS case is stuck: Start with the caseworker and supervisor. Then use the DCFS contact page: Northern 801-776-7300, Eastern 435-722-6550, Western 801-374-7013, Salt Lake Valley 801-253-5720, Southwest 435-865-5600. If needed, contact Constituent Services at 801-538-4208 or the Child Protection Ombudsman at 801-538-4589.
  • If a school says no: Ask for the denial in writing, ask which district policy applies, and ask whether the district accepts a power of attorney or offers school-based guardianship under Section 53G-6-303.
  • If court fees stop you: Use the Utah Courts self-help page and ask for a fee waiver.
  • If you feel lost: Call GRANDfamilies and 211 Utah the same day. They handle these roadblocks every week.

Plan B / backup options

  • If child-only TANF is denied, still pursue SNAP, child medical coverage, and HEAT.
  • If you cannot get in-person kinship navigation nearby, the state plan says virtual and adjacent-county support is available in counties without the in-person model.
  • If a parent will cooperate, use a temporary power of attorney while you build a full guardianship case.
  • If free legal help is limited where you live, ask your Area Agency on Aging for the county-specific provider and ask GRANDfamilies for lawyer referrals.
  • If you cannot finish forms online, use the DWS phone, fax, mail, or in-person routes instead of giving up.

Local resources in Utah

Resource What it helps with How to reach it
Utah DWS Eligibility Services Cash, SNAP, Medicaid, child care, case status, notices, appeals Eligibility Services page
1-866-435-7414
801-526-0950
Fax: 1-877-313-4717
Utah DCFS Child safety, kinship placement, foster-care questions, office finder DCFS contact page
Hotline: 1-855-323-3237
Non-emergency: 801-538-4100
GRANDfamilies at Children’s Service Society of Utah Kinship navigation, applications, school help, classes, support groups GRANDfamilies page
801-326-4409
801-355-7444
1-800-839-7444
Utah Foster Care Foster licensing, training, support groups Utah Foster Care
1-877-505-KIDS
211 Utah Housing, food, utilities, child care, transportation, local referrals 211 Utah contact page
211
1-888-826-9790
Text ZIP to 801-845-2211
Area Agencies on Aging and Utah Legal Services Senior legal help, county-specific aging services, caregiver support AAA locations map
DAAS legal help page
Utah Legal Services: 1-800-662-4245 or 801-328-8891

Diverse communities

Seniors with disabilities

If you need accommodation, DWS says auxiliary aids are available by calling 801-526-9240, and Relay Utah is available at 711. If the child has special needs, Utah’s child care assistance can extend to age 18 in some cases. Your Area Agency on Aging can also help you find senior services close to home.

Immigrant and refugee seniors

Utah’s financial help page says people should still apply even if they are not U.S. citizens, because some household members may still qualify. 211 Utah offers language access by phone, and the state’s Comunidades Unidas listing shows a systems navigator program for the Latin immigrant community in Utah.

Tribal-specific resources

For an Indian child, Utah’s DCFS kinship definition uses the broader Indian Child Welfare Act extended-family standard. In southeastern Utah, the Division of Aging and Adult Services county map lists Navajo Nation senior centers and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe senior center through the San Juan County aging network.

Rural seniors with limited access

Utah’s current kinship navigator plan says families in counties without the in-person model can still use telecommunications and virtual support. You can also apply by phone, fax, or mail through DWS Eligibility Services and use 211 Utah without driving to a city office.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get child-only TANF in Utah if I do not have legal custody?

Usually, yes. Utah’s DCFS kinship page says you do not need guardianship or custody to apply for a Specified Relative grant, and the Specified Relative page explains that child-only cases are based on the children in your care. You still need proof of the relationship and may need papers showing the child is living with you.

Can Utah grandparents get foster care payments for a grandchild?

Sometimes, but not just because the child lives with you. In Utah, that usually requires a DCFS foster care case and a licensed foster or resource family path through Utah Foster Care. If the child came to you informally and DCFS is not involved, start with DWS child-only benefits instead of assuming foster reimbursement will be available.

What if the child’s parent lives outside Utah?

That can open school options that do not exist in every case. Utah law allows some districts to use school-based guardianship, and Utah school residency rules can also recognize certain power-of-attorney situations. Ask the district enrollment office what it accepts before you file a full court case if school access is your biggest immediate problem.

Can I take my grandchild to the doctor in Utah without guardianship?

Utah law says a grandparent may consent to health care for a minor grandchild in the absence of a parent under Section 78B-3-406. That said, some clinics still ask for extra paperwork for non-routine care, records access, or billing. Bring ID, any power of attorney, and any guardianship papers you have, and ask the office what it wants for future visits.

Does my income count for my grandchild’s Utah benefits?

It depends on the program. For a child-only Specified Relative case, Utah says it looks at the child’s income and assets. If you ask for help for yourself too, DWS also looks at your income and assets. For medical help, Utah uses different rules for different categories, and some child medical categories do not count adult caregiver income the same way when the child is not living with a parent.

Where can a Utah senior get free legal help with guardianship or benefits?

Start with your local Area Agency on Aging. The state says Utah Legal Services provides free civil legal help to people 60 and older in every Utah county except Davis County through this route. You can also use the Utah Courts self-help pages if you are handling a simple minor guardianship yourself.

Resumen en español

Si usted es abuelo, abuela u otro familiar en Utah y ahora está criando a un niño, el primer paso práctico suele ser abrir un caso en myCase o llamar a DWS Eligibility Services al 1-866-435-7414. En muchos casos, la ayuda principal en efectivo es el programa Specified Relative, que funciona como la ruta de TANF solo para el menor cuando los padres están ausentes del hogar. También puede pedir Medicaid para el menor, SNAP y, en algunos casos, ayuda para cuidado infantil en la misma solicitud. No espere a tener la tutela legal completa para empezar la solicitud si el niño ya vive con usted.

Si hay un caso de seguridad infantil o el menor no puede regresar a casa, comuníquese con Utah DCFS al 1-855-323-3237. Para apoyo gratuito con formularios, escuela, tutela y recursos de parentesco, llame a GRANDfamilies. Si necesita comida, renta, servicios públicos o refugio hoy mismo, use 211 Utah. Para preguntas de escuela, pregunte directamente al distrito si aceptan poder notarial, reglas de residencia escolar o tutela escolar. Para tutela judicial, use los formularios de Utah Courts.

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 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 act.

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About the Authors

Analic Mata-Murray

Analic Mata-Murray

Managing Editor

Analic Mata-Murray holds a Communications degree with a focus on Journalism and Advertising from Universidad Católica Andrés Bello. With over 11 years of experience as a volunteer translator for The Salvation Army, she has helped Spanish-speaking communities access critical resources and navigate poverty alleviation programs.

As Managing Editor at Grants for Seniors, Analic oversees all content to ensure accuracy and accessibility. Her bilingual expertise allows her to create and review content in both English and Spanish, specializing in community resources, housing assistance, and emergency aid programs.

Yolanda Taylor

Yolanda Taylor, BA Psychology

Senior Healthcare Editor

Yolanda Taylor is a Senior Healthcare Editor with over six years of clinical experience as a medical assistant in diverse healthcare settings, including OB/GYN, family medicine, and specialty clinics. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Psychology at California State University, Sacramento.

At Grants for Seniors, Yolanda oversees healthcare-related content, ensuring medical accuracy and accessibility. Her clinical background allows her to translate complex medical terminology into clear guidance for seniors navigating Medicare, Medicaid, and dental care options. She is bilingual in Spanish and English and holds Lay Counselor certification and CPR/BLS certification.