Q: I am the relative legal guardian of a 17 year-old who is pregnant and has a disability. A few questions: Will I be eligible to continue to receive Kinship Guardianship Assistance (Kin-GAP) benefits on her behalf after she turns 18 years old? Also, will she be eligible for an “infant supplement” when the baby is born?
A: Yes, Kin-GAP benefits extends to age 21 if the youth has a “physical or mental disability that warrants the continuation of assistance” regardless of when the guardianship was established. For youth who are determined to have a physical or mental disability, receipt of extended Kin-GAP benefits is not conditional on the young person in your care meeting one of the five participation requirements due to her disability. There is no definition for what qualifies as a “mental or physical disability” – so contact your county child welfare agency to discuss your child’s needs and eligibility for Kin-GAP benefits until age 21.
In addition, relative guardians receiving Kin-GAP on behalf of a youth that is parenting are eligible for the $441 infant supplement, both before the youth turns age 18 and after the youth turns age 18.
Sources: Welf. & Inst. Code §§ 11363(c)(2), 11386(g)(2), All County Letter 11-86