Understanding Who Qualifies for Kinship Care: The Criteria and Process

Understanding who qualifies for kinship care can help families and communities better support children who are unable to live with their biological parents. The kinship care process is part of the child welfare system, aiming to make sure children are safe, stable, and, whenever possible, find a long-term home.

This September, in honor of Kinship Awareness Month, we celebrate the dedication of kinship caregivers who work tirelessly to provide children with the love and stability they need to thrive.

Eligibility Criteria for Kinship Caregivers

Kinship care is when relatives or people who already have a meaningful relationship with a child step in to care for them when the child can’t live with their birth parents.

Kinship caregivers might be grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, or even close family friends. But not everyone can become a kinship caregiver—and the rules differ by state or territory—but some core criteria are common. Below are the main ideas about who qualifies for kinship care:

• Should be a relative or someone with a significant relationship (for example, grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings, or close family friends).
• Must be able to offer a safe, stable home and meet the child’s physical, emotional, educational, and medical needs.
• Has to be willing to work with the child welfare system, including any background checks, home visits, or guidelines.
• The caregiver’s home must pass safety checks
• Must show they can financially support the child, or be approved for financial support or subsidies.

The precise eligibility rules can vary depending on your state, county, or tribe. Because these requirements differ by place, you’ll want to check your local child welfare agency or kinship navigator program for the exact rules in your area.

The Role of Support in Kinship Care

Taking on caregiving is a big responsibility. Kin caregivers often need help to do it well. That’s where support and services come in.

Kinship navigator programs are designed to support caregivers. They provide information, training, referrals, and help with paperwork. These programs help kin caregivers find and use available resources (legal, health, educational, financial) and guide them in dealing with the child welfare system.

READ MORE: Kinship Care vs. Foster Care Benefits

Financial support is another key part. In many states, caregivers may access foster care payments, guardianship assistance, TANF “child-only” benefits, Medicaid or CHIP, and other programs that help cover the child’s expenses.

Other support includes:

• Respite care, where the caregiver gets breaks
• Support groups and peer networks
• Counseling and mental health services
• Legal assistance, for things like guardianship, custody, or navigating courts
• Help with school, education, special services, and making sure the child’s development needs are met

These supports help kin caregivers carry the responsibility and help children thrive.

Navigating the System with Kinship Navigator Programs

Kinship navigator programs are very important. They act like guides for caregivers trying to navigate the child welfare system and other overlapping systems (education, health, legal).

Here is what these programs do:

• Provide information, referrals, and follow-up services to help caregivers connect with needed agencies and services.
• Help with public benefit applications (like food assistance, health insurance, TANF, etc.).
• Assist in legal processes—guardianship, custody, or court involvement.
• Link kin caregivers with support groups, training, community resources, and services (mental health, childcare, transportation).
• Advocate for the caregiver’s voice in decision-making in child welfare and court proceedings.
• Some navigator programs serve kin families whether or not there is formal child welfare involvement—that means even informal kin caregivers (those not formally in foster care) can get help.

Because these programs vary, finding a local navigator program is an important first step. Many states have lists online of kinship navigator contacts.

The Kinship Care Process

Here’s how the process often works, step by step, though each place may vary:

1. Removal and assessment
   When a child must leave their home (due to neglect, abuse, or safety concerns), child welfare evaluates where they should live. A first preference is placing the child with kin if possible.
2. Home study / caregiver screening
   The prospective kin caregiver is screened: background checks, home safety, interviews, and sometimes training are required.
3. Placement with the kin caregiver
   The child moves into the kin caregiver’s home, either informally or formally under child welfare custody.
4. Approval and formal status
   If the placement is formal, the kin caregiver may need to become licensed or approved, similar to foster parents. Some states waive non­safety licensing requirements for kin caregivers. The child welfare system (and sometimes the court) continues monitoring. The child’s safety, well-being, and school progress are checked regularly.
5. Ongoing services / monitoring
   Caseworkers visit, provide referrals, help with health or schooling, and ensure the kin caregiver and child are supported.
6. Permanency decisions
   Over time, the case may move toward a permanent solution: reunification with biological parents (if safe), legal guardianship, or adoption. In many kinship cases, guardianship is a common path because it allows legal authority without removing the child entirely from family ties.

The goal is stability, safety, and a long-term family connection for the child.

Benefits of Family-Based and Kinship Care

There are many advantages when children are placed with kin rather than strangers or in group settings:

• Stability and belonging: Children often feel safer with family, keeping connections and identity.
• Cultural continuity: Kinship care helps maintain the child’s cultural, community, and familial ties.
• Reduced trauma: Fewer moves and more familiar surroundings lower trauma risk.
• Better outcomes: Children in family settings usually do better academically, socially, and emotionally.
• More permanence: Kinship placements tend to last longer and require fewer disruptions.

READ MORE: The Benefits of Kinship Care: Why It’s Important for Foster Children

Because kin caregivers already have a relationship with the child, they often adjust better and provide a more nurturing, consistent home.

Challenges and Solutions

Like any caregiving role, there are challenges. Recognizing and addressing these is key to success.

Challenges

• Financial strain: Many kin caregivers are older or on fixed incomes and struggle to cover school, health, or extra costs.
• Emotional stress: The pressure, grief, behavior challenges, or conflict with the child’s parents can be overwhelming.
• Navigating bureaucracy: Understanding the child welfare system, legal terms, court processes, and public benefits can be confusing.
• Isolation: Some caregivers feel alone, without peer support or guidance.
• Eligibility gaps: Some kin caregivers don’t qualify for subsidies or assistance, especially in informal situations.

Solutions & Support

• Kinship navigator programs help with information, resource connections, and guidance through systems.
• Subsidies, financial assistance, and public benefits help cover basic needs. Always check local rules.
• Support groups and peer networks can reduce isolation and provide emotional help.
• Respite care and counseling give caregivers rest and tools to handle stress.
• Training and education help caregivers meet children’s needs and understand systems.
• Legal help and advocacy assist caregivers in custody, guardianship, or court issues.

By combining their efforts, many kin caregivers succeed in providing children with safe, loving homes.

Conclusion

Kinship care is a powerful option for children who cannot live with their birth parents. When kin caregivers step up—grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, or trusted family friends. They often give children safer, more stable, loving homes than many alternatives.

While eligibility rules vary by state and territory, the common goal is clear: ensure that children are safe, stable, and nurtured. Understanding the qualifications for kinship care, what supports are available, and how the process works helps caregivers, agencies, and communities better support kin families.

If you or someone you know is considering kinship care, reach out to your local child welfare agency or kinship navigator program. They can help you apply, find the resources, and step into the role of caregiver with confidence!