Missiouri's Adoption Subsidy Law Is Back in the News

Back in August 2005, we were hearing a lot about Missouri possibly losing adoption subsidy. Well, the issues are back in the news. Here are the latest details:

Missouri's Department of Social Services will not challenge the latest decision blocking the state from ending adoption subsidy to any adoptive family already receiving the aid.

The department will challenge parts of the injunction that keep the state from restricting payments to future adoptive families.

According to the KansasCity.com, U.S. District Judge Scott O. Wright said "the restrictions on future recipients violate the equal rights of foster children and that any attempt to alter existing payments would be a breach of Missouri's contractual obligations to adoptive families."

The department want to impose a means test on families who receive adoption subsidy. This test, if put into place, would restrict adoption subsidy to adoptive families whose income is less than twice the federal poverty level.

Currently, all children in state custody qualify for at least some subsidy. An increase in subsidy is further based on each child's special needs.

What Is an Adoption Subsidy?