Northstar Adoption Assistance Program

Non-recurring expenses reimbursement may be available, up to $2,000 per child, for costs incurred during the adoption process. The expenses include, but are not limited to, court filing fees, travel expenses and birth certificates. See non-recurring expense instructions.

Home modifications reimbursement may be available for children with special needs. To qualify, modifications need to accommodate your child's disabilities that were identified at the time of the Adoption Assistance Agreement. They must be approved before incurring expenses. Each child's need for home modifications, such as wheelchair ramps, special devices to help monitor a child's needs and care, and alarms with alternative warning systems, can be reimbursed every five years. See home modification pre-approval instructions.

Vehicle modifications reimbursement may also be available to children with special needs. These modifications need to meet your child's disabilities that were identified at the time of the Adoption Assistance Agreement. They must be approved before incurring expenses. Each family can be reimbursed every five years for items such as lifting devices, wheel chair devices, adapted seats, hand rails and grab bars. See vehicle modification pre-approval instructions.

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

DHS 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 DHS 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 DHS Adoptions staff before the agreement ends, you must contact the DHS 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 DHS 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 DHS 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 DHS Adoptions Unit. Requests postmarked after this date cannot be reimbursed.