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Grandparents Raising Grandchildren in Virginia: 2026 Kinship Care Help

Written & Reviewed by

Analic Mata-Murray
Analic Mata-Murray

Managing Editor

Yolanda Taylor
Yolanda Taylor

Senior Healthcare Editor

Last updated: 27 May 2026

Bottom line: Virginia does not have one cash grant just for grandparents raising grandchildren. Help usually comes from several programs at once: child-only Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Relative Maintenance Support Payment in some DSS-verified cases, Medicaid or Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), child support, school rules, and legal papers. In formal foster care cases, kinship foster care payments or Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KinGAP) may also apply.

This guide is for Virginia grandparents and other kin raising a child because the parents cannot. For broader benefit help, use this page with our Virginia senior help guide and our national grandparent programs guide.

Emergency help now

  • If the child is in danger now, call 911.
  • If the child cannot safely stay with a parent, call your local department of social services right away. Use the local DSS finder to reach the city or county office.
  • If the child is already with you and you need food, cash, or health coverage, use CommonHelp to start an application or call 1-855-635-4370.
  • If you need kinship navigation, call the Virginia kinship line at 1-888-593-1972. The state says the line is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Quick help

  • Need cash: Ask for child-only or payee TANF. If DSS helped prevent foster care, ask about the Relative Maintenance Support Payment.
  • Need child welfare answers: Ask whether this is informal care, a safety placement, foster care, or a custody transfer.
  • Need health coverage: Ask for a child Medicaid or FAMIS review. Your Medicare does not decide the child’s case by itself.
  • Need school access: Call the school division’s enrollment office before visiting the front desk.
  • Need legal help: If a parent is willing to sign, a parental power of attorney may help for a short time. If the child will stay with you, ask about custody.

Quick-reference table

If your main problem is… Start here Ask this question
Cash for the child Local DSS benefits unit “Can you screen this as child-only TANF or payee TANF?”
Child welfare placed the child with you Local DSS child welfare worker “Is this foster care, a safety placement, or a foster-care diversion?”
Medical coverage Cover Virginia or CommonHelp “Can the child be reviewed for Medicaid or FAMIS?”
School enrollment School division residency office “What kinship care proof do you need?”
Long-term legal control Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court or legal aid “What custody papers do I need for school, care, and benefits?”

Contents

What help may fit

The first question is not “What grant can I get?” The better question is, “What kind of case do I have?” Informal care, a parent-signed power of attorney, a DSS safety placement, court custody, kinship foster care, and KinGAP all have different rules. The path changes who can sign school papers, approve medical care, and apply for money.

For many grandparents, the fastest cash path is TANF for the child. Medicaid or FAMIS may cover health care. SNAP may help with food. If child welfare was involved, ask about foster-care diversion and the Relative Maintenance Support Payment.

For a wider national list, our grandparent grants guide can help. This page stays focused on Virginia.

Legal papers matter because schools, doctors, benefit workers, and housing offices often need proof. A child can live with you while legal power still stays with the parent.

Virginia’s Foster Virginia kinship page describes safety placements, custody transfers, kinship resource parents, adoption, and KinGAP. If DSS is involved, ask for the placement type in writing.

Virginia path Who usually has legal power What help may fit Reality check
Informal family care Usually the parent TANF for the child, SNAP, Medicaid or FAMIS, and child support may still be possible Schools and doctors may ask for stronger papers
Parental power of attorney Parent keeps rights but delegates some powers Short-term school and medical help Virginia law allows delegation for up to 180 days under the parental power of attorney rule
Parental Child Safety Placement Parent or guardian keeps legal custody while DSS monitors safety May lead to services, safety planning, or foster-care diversion review The safety placement rule usually limits the agreement to 90 days, with a possible extension up to 180 days total
Court-ordered custody You School decisions, routine medical care, child support, and benefit proof are often easier It can take time, and legal advice may help
Kinship foster care LDSS has custody; you are the approved kinship foster parent Foster care maintenance and caseworker support You must meet foster home rules, though some non-safety items may be completed after urgent placement
KinGAP You become legal guardian after a foster care case Ongoing guardianship help under a written agreement The KinGAP guide says the child usually must live with the approved kinship foster parent for at least 6 months before transfer

Phone script for child welfare

“I am the child’s grandparent, and the child is living with me now. Please tell me in writing whether this is informal care, a Parental Child Safety Placement, foster care, or a custody transfer. Before I sign anything, I also need to know whether any kinship payment, Relative Maintenance Support Payment, or foster care payment can apply.”

Financial help and TANF

Child-only TANF is often the first cash program to ask about. In a child-only or payee case, the focus is the child’s eligibility. Ask the worker to explain that option.

Virginia’s public TANF payment chapter now lists locality Group II and Group III standards. A one-child assistance unit is $262 in Group II and $366 in Group III. Two children are $385 in Group II and $489 in Group III. The final payment can be lower if there is countable income. Ask DSS which group your city or county is in.

Virginia also has a special Relative Maintenance Support Payment for some kinship cases. The public Virginia TANF manual says it can apply when local DSS Family Services verifies that a child was diverted from foster care and placed with kin. In many cases, the payment uses the TANF standard plus $200 per eligible child. Ask the worker to confirm current funding.

Cash or support path When it may fit Public amount or rule What to ask
Child-only TANF The child lives with a relative and meets TANF rules One child: $262 in Group II or $366 in Group III before countable income changes the amount “Can this be screened as child-only TANF?”
Relative Maintenance Support Payment LDSS verifies kinship care was used to prevent foster care Often TANF standard plus $200 per eligible child, or $200 per eligible child in an opt-out case “Has Family Services completed the verification form?”
Kinship foster care The child is in LDSS custody and you are approved as a kinship foster parent The public foster care funding manual lists base monthly rates of $521 for ages 0-4, $609 for ages 5-12, and $772 for ages 13 and older “What current rate and reimbursements are in the placement agreement?”
KinGAP The child leaves foster care to your guardianship after approval The amount is set in a written agreement before custody transfers “Can we discuss KinGAP before any custody change?”

Reality check: A child in your home is not always a foster child. Foster payments usually require LDSS custody and foster parent approval. Informal family care usually starts with TANF, SNAP, Medicaid or FAMIS, and child support.

Phone script for TANF

“I am a grandparent caring for a child full time. I want this reviewed for child-only or payee TANF. I also want to know if the Relative Maintenance Support Payment applies because DSS helped place the child with me or helped prevent foster care. Please tell me what proof you need.”

Health, food, and child support

Medicaid and FAMIS: The child may qualify even if you are retired, on Medicare, or on Social Security. Virginia’s children’s coverage rules say children must generally be under 19, live in Virginia, and meet citizenship or eligible immigration rules. The 2026 chart lists, for a family of four, children’s Medicaid up to $48,840 per year and FAMIS up to $67,650 per year. Covered children have no monthly premiums, copays, deductibles, or other covered-service costs, and most children keep 12 months of coverage unless an exception applies.

SNAP: Apply for Virginia SNAP even if TANF is still pending. For more food help ideas, see our SNAP for seniors guide and our broader food help guide.

SUN Bucks: Virginia’s Virginia SUN Bucks program gives eligible school-age children a one-time summer food benefit. For 2026, the posted amount is $120 per eligible child. Some children must apply.

Child support: If you have custody papers or another recognized caregiving status, child support may help. Use MyChildSupport for Virginia child support contact options. Ask your TANF worker how child support may affect a cash case before you make choices.

Our Medicaid guide can help with background, but the child should still be reviewed under children’s rules.

Phone script for health coverage

“My grandchild lives with me in Virginia. I am calling about coverage for the child, not just my own Medicare or retirement income. Can you review the child for Medicaid or FAMIS and tell me what household information you need?”

Call the school division before enrollment day. Virginia’s VDOE enrollment guidance says a child may enroll when living with an adult relative who provides temporary kinship care because the parents cannot care for the child, as long as the move is not only for school purposes. The school division may still ask for forms, proof of residence, and written verification from social services.

For school, bring proof of address, the child’s birth certificate if you have it, immunization records, school records, and any custody order, DSS paper, or parent statement. If you cannot get the birth certificate right away, ask the school what sworn statement or backup proof it accepts while you keep working on records.

Routine medical care can also be hard without papers. A parent-signed power of attorney can be a short bridge. If the child will stay with you, ask legal aid or the court about custody or guardianship. Emergency care is different. Doctors can treat a child when waiting would put the child at risk.

Phone script for school enrollment

“My grandchild is living with me because the parent cannot care for the child right now. I am not trying to change schools just for a better school. What kinship care form, residency proof, social services verification, or parent statement does your division need so the child can start school?”

Housing and support services

There is no special Virginia housing voucher only for grandfamilies. The main rent-help paths are vouchers, public housing, local nonprofits, or emergency rental help when available. If rent changed after the child moved in, use our rent help finder.

Virginia Housing’s 2026 payment standards show why location matters. A two-bedroom standard is listed at $1,054 in Accomack County and $2,246 in Arlington. That does not mean you will get a voucher. It shows how much local rules can differ.

The Virginia Housing waiting-list FAQ says Virginia Housing has 32 local housing agencies with separate waiting lists, and applications are usually online when a list opens. Keep your mailing address, email, and phone current. Add a trusted second contact if the application allows it.

For support groups and navigation, Virginia has statewide and regional kinship help. The Family First kinship page lists regional navigator work, including Hampton Roads and parts of Southwest Virginia. The Virginia Beach navigator serves Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Norfolk. James City kinship services are another local example. Services can change, so call before relying on a program.

If caregiving is hurting your health, call your local aging network too. Our Area Agencies on Aging guide can help with caregiver referrals and local senior services.

How to start without wasting time

  • Write down the placement story: Date the child moved in, why the parent cannot care for the child, and whether DSS, police, hospital staff, or the school was involved.
  • Open benefit cases quickly: Apply for TANF, SNAP, and health coverage. Do not wait for a final custody hearing if the child needs help now.
  • Use the right words: Say “child-only TANF,” “payee TANF,” “kinship caregiver,” and “Relative Maintenance Support Payment” if DSS helped keep the child out of foster care.
  • Ask for written notices: A phone answer is not enough when benefits are denied or delayed.
  • Save proof: Keep screenshots, upload receipts, letters, names, dates, and case numbers.
  • Call before visiting: Ask schools, doctors, and offices what documents they need so you do not make extra trips.
  • Ask for form help: If online forms are hard, ask about phone help, in-person help, or an accommodation.

Documents to gather

Start even if you do not have every paper. Missing documents can be turned in later in many cases. Use our printable documents checklist if you want one place to track benefit papers.

  • ☐ Your photo ID
  • ☐ Proof of Virginia address
  • ☐ Child’s birth certificate, if available
  • ☐ Child’s Social Security number, if available
  • ☐ School records, grade level, and last school name
  • ☐ Immunization records and school physical records
  • ☐ Any court order, custody paper, DSS paper, safety plan, or foster care paper
  • ☐ Any parent-signed statement or power of attorney
  • ☐ Proof the child lives with you, such as mail, school papers, or a doctor record
  • ☐ Your income proof and housing costs
  • ☐ Parent names, dates of birth, last-known addresses, and phone numbers if known
  • ☐ Notes from calls, including worker names and dates

If delayed or denied

Ask for the reason in writing. If TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, FAMIS, child support, or school enrollment is denied, ask for the rule and appeal deadline. Do not rely on a front-desk answer only.

For TANF or SNAP: Ask DSS for the notice, appeal form, and missing proof list. If the case was not screened as child-only or payee TANF, ask again.

For Medicaid or FAMIS: Call Cover Virginia at 1-833-522-5582. If the answer still seems wrong, ask about the state’s appeal guidance and the deadline on the notice.

For school problems: Ask for the enrollment or residency supervisor. Explain the kinship reason and ask what proof the division will accept while you work on long-term papers.

For legal roadblocks: Virginia has legal aid programs and senior legal help. The Virginia legal aid site can point families toward custody and visitation help.

If the problem is urgent and you are out of food, facing shutoff, or at risk of losing housing, our emergency help guide may help you sort the next call.

Backup options

  • If TANF is too small: Keep going with SNAP, Medicaid or FAMIS, child support, school meals, and SUN Bucks if the child qualifies.
  • If legal custody is not ready: Ask whether a parent can sign a short-term power of attorney while you seek legal advice.
  • If child welfare is involved: Ask about KinGAP before any custody transfer out of foster care. Do not assume you can fix the payment issue later.
  • If housing help is slow: Apply to every voucher list you truly qualify for, check local public housing, call 211, and keep your contact information current.
  • If online forms are hard: Use phone options, a trusted helper, or an accommodation request.
  • If you are not related by blood, marriage, or adoption: Ask DSS whether fictive kin rules, General Relief, or another local option fits your case.

Local resources in Virginia

Resource What it can help with Phone
Virginia Kinship Resource Guide Kinship navigation, referrals, and next steps for relatives and fictive kin 1-888-593-1972
Virginia 211 Community referrals for food, housing, utilities, and local help through Virginia 211 1-800-230-6977
CommonHelp TANF, SNAP, medical coverage, energy help, and benefit applications 1-855-635-4370
Cover Virginia Medicaid and FAMIS help for children and families 1-833-522-5582
MyChildSupport Child support applications, payments, uploads, and case questions 1-800-468-8894
Virginia Housing Housing Choice Voucher local agency information and waitlist rules 1-800-835-6698
Virginia legal aid Legal help screening for custody, family law, and senior legal issues 1-866-534-5243

Diverse communities

Seniors with disabilities and veteran seniors

If you are disabled, a veteran, or managing your own health problems, ask the kinship line and your Area Agency on Aging about transportation, respite, benefits counseling, meals, and caregiver help. Services vary by region.

Immigrant and refugee seniors

Do not assume a child cannot attend school because of immigration status. Virginia school enrollment rules focus on residency and required school documents. For health coverage, ask Cover Virginia to review the child under the correct noncitizen rules instead of guessing.

Rural seniors with limited access

If travel is hard, use phone lines first. Ask whether papers can be mailed, uploaded, faxed, or brought by a trusted helper. Keep a second contact on housing waitlists when allowed.

Resumen en español

Virginia no tiene una sola ayuda en efectivo solo para abuelos que crían a sus nietos. La ayuda más común viene de TANF para el niño, Medicaid o FAMIS, SNAP, manutención infantil, ayuda escolar y, en algunos casos, pagos de kinship o foster care.

Si el menor llegó a su casa de repente, no espere a tener todos los documentos. Llame al departamento local de servicios sociales, pida una revisión de TANF para el niño, pregunte si hay pago de kinship, y solicite cobertura médica para el menor. Para ayuda de kinship, llame al 1-888-593-1972. Para Cover Virginia, llame al 1-833-522-5582. Para recursos comunitarios, llame a Virginia 211 al 1-800-230-6977.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get child-only TANF in Virginia without legal custody?

Often, yes. A grandparent may be able to apply when the child lives with them, even before a custody order is finished. Still, custody or another legal paper can make school, medical care, and child support easier.

Are foster care payments automatic if my grandchild moves in?

No. Foster care payments usually require the child to be in local DSS custody and the caregiver to be approved as a kinship foster parent. Informal family care does not automatically create a foster care payment.

What is the Relative Maintenance Support Payment?

It is a Virginia payment tied to some verified kinship cases where local DSS Family Services confirms that the placement helped prevent foster care. Ask DSS if the verification form applies to your case.

Can I enroll my grandchild in school if I am not the parent?

Sometimes. Virginia allows some children living with relatives in temporary kinship care to enroll, but the school division may ask for local forms, proof of residence, and social services verification.

Can my grandchild get Medicaid or FAMIS if I am on Medicare?

Yes, possibly. The child should be reviewed under children’s coverage rules. Your Medicare status does not by itself decide the child’s eligibility.

Is KinGAP available if the child never entered foster care?

Usually no. KinGAP is mainly for children leaving foster care to guardianship after the caregiver meets program rules. If the child never entered foster care, ask about TANF, SNAP, Medicaid or FAMIS, and child support first.

What should I do first if I took in a child tonight?

Make sure the child is safe. Then write down what happened, call local DSS, start benefit applications, and ask what papers the school or doctor needs. Keep every notice and case number.

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


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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.