Northstar Adoption Assistance

After the court has granted the adoption, you may be reimbursed up to $2000 for adoption-related costs. You may not claim reimbursement for any expense paid from other sources, programs, or funds. Allowable out-of-pocket expenses are listed below:

• Agency adoption fees (including health and psychological expenses, if not covered by your health insurance)
• Agency fees for supervision of the adoptive placement
• Transportation (include mileage and dates of travel)
• Food, lodging and other related items for the child and/or adoptive parents when required to complete the adoptive placement or the legal adoption process
• Court costs
• Attorney fees
• Replacement birth certificate fees.

After the court has granted the adoption, please send the following:

• A short letter listing the above expenses for which you are claiming reimbursement
• Copies of all itemized bills (not all fees are reimbursable through this program) plus receipts of payment or canceled checks for any of the above expenses for which you are claiming reimbursement
• A copy of the Adoption Decree.

Please note that you have to submit your NRAE reimbursement request within 21 months of your child's adoption decree date.

Your expenses and receipts will be reviewed. You may expect payment of authorized expenses about eight to twelve weeks after your request is received.

The Adoption Assistance Program may reimburse costs incurred for home modification. Home modification is limited to modifications to meet a child's special needs upon which eligibility for adoption assistance was approved. Reimbursement is limited to once every five years, per child. Home modifications include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Wheelchair ramps
• Handrail and grab bars
• Accessible shower
• Elevated bathtubs and toilets
• Widened doorways
• Shatterproof windows
• Blinking lights and tactile alarms as alternate warning systems
• Lowered kitchen work surfaces
• Modified cabinets and sinks that provide wheelchair space
• Handles and hoses for showerheads
• Door hinge replacements
• Lifting devices
• Special communication devices that enable caregivers not immediately present to monitor and respond to a child
• Air conditioning required due to a child's medical condition
• Special covers, such as Plexiglas, for appliances, windows, fireplaces and radiators required to protect a child
• Door opening devices
• Fence

You must obtain prior authorization from the Adoption Assistance Program. The following documentation is required before prior authorization can be granted:

• A letter from you with the following information:
• Name of child for whom property modification is requested
• Name of adoptive parent(s)
• Adoptive parents' address, phone number and email address
• Description of the property modification
• A short description about your child's special needs, and why the modification is necessary
• A letter from a medical professional stating how the property modification will meet your child's special needs
• A denial letter from the social service agency in your county stating that you have been denied services for the home modification, and the reason for the denial
• Two detailed bids for the property modification.

The Adoption Assistance Program will not grant prior authorization, and property modification reimbursement will be denied, without the above information.

You may be eligible for the reimbursement of costs incurred for vehicle modification. Vehicle modification is limited to modifications to meet a child's special needs upon which eligibility for a permanency benefit was approved. Reimbursement is limited to once every five years per family. Vehicle modifications include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Door widening
• Lifting devices
• Wheelchair securing devices
• Adapted seats
• Handrails and grab bars
• Door handle replacements
• Air conditioning required due to a child's medical condition.

You must obtain prior authorization from the DCYF Permanency Support staff. The following documentation is required before prior authorization can be granted:

• A letter from you with the following information:
• Name of child for whom vehicle modification is requested
• Name of adoptive parent(s)
• Adoptive parents' address, phone number and email address
• Description of the vehicle modification
• A short description about your child's special needs, and why the vehicle modification is necessary.
• A letter from a medical professional stating how the vehicle modification will meet your child's special needs
• A denial letter from the social service agency in your county stating that you have been denied services for the vehicle modification, and the reason for the denial.
• Two detailed bids for the vehicle modification.

Your child's Adoption Assistance Agreement terminates on his/her 18th birthday, unless your agreement has been amended. DCYF Adoptions staff will mail an extension package four months prior to the agreement termination date.

DCYF Adoptions Unit must receive your child's completed extension request, along with required supporting documentation, 60 calendar days prior to the end of your agreement. You must sign the extension amendment and return it to the adoption unit at least 10 business days before the end of the current Adoption Assistance Agreement. The extension amendment is not valid unless you and DCYF Permanency Support staff sign the amendment prior to:

• Your child reaching age 18. or
• The last extension termination date

If you have not received a copy of the extension amendment signed by DCYF Adoptions staff before the agreement ends, you must contact the DCYF Permanency Support Unit.

If your child is eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or a Social Security payment based on a birth or adoptive parent's status, the child may receive benefits from SSI, RSDI and the Adoption Assistance Program. The family is responsible to report the amount of adoption assistance payments to the Social Security Administration. The Social Security Administration will decide what effect, if any, the adoption assistance payment will have on the SSI or RSDI.

You must cooperate with the Medical Assistance program rules and procedures in the state where your child currently resides. Your insurance provider may require prior authorization for medical services. Coverage of medical services is limited by Medical Assistance in your child's state of residence. Items covered by Medical Assistance may vary from state to state. For further information, call your Medical Assistance worker in your county of residence for questions regarding medical payments.

Within 30 days of the event, you are responsible to report to DCYF Permanency Support Unit any changes according to your Adoption Assistance Agreement. For example, if your child is living outside of your home, you or your child has a new address or a name change. Review your Adoption Assistance Agreement for all required notification of changes.

All reimbursement requests, excluding Non-Recurring Adoption, must be postmarked no later than the 5th of each month. If the 5th of the month is a holiday, the postmark must be no later than the 4th of the month. For example, if your reimbursement envelope is postmarked by Jan. 5, the payment will be issued with the February check. If your reimbursement form is postmarked between Jan. 6 and Feb. 5, the payment will be issued with the March check.

Minnesota's fiscal year ends on June 30th every year. You must submit statements for expenses incurred between July 1 and June 30 to DCYF Adoptions Unit within 60 days after the end of the fiscal year for reimbursement. Please submit all expenses dated July 1 through June 30 by Aug. 29 to the DCYF Adoptions Unit. Requests postmarked after this date cannot be reimbursed.