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LSS Adoption & Birth Parent Services
2414 Park Avenue
Mpls, MN 55404

612.879.5230
1.888.205.3769
adoption@lssmn.org

 A program of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota which serves all people regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, handicap or age.

 

Special Needs Adoption Fees

Minnesota's Waiting Children
The State of Minnesota incurs most adoption costs so there are typically no fees associated with this program.

The Adoption Assistance Program, funded by the State of Minnesota currently provides monthly financial assistance to families that have adopted special needs children. In addition, the program provides medical assistance as a back-up to family's health insurance.

Interstate Program
Because there is no national contract that provides uniformity of fees for Special Needs adoptions, each Interstate Special Needs case will be reviewed individually to determine costs. Because each state system is different, exact fees will be unknown until a match is made. LSS attempts to keep fees under $10,000.

Generally, Interstate Program fees will include:

  • $500 Application Fee; due with application
  • $1,500 Program Fee; due at the time service begins
  • $3100 Home Study Fee; due upon initiation of home study
  • Travel expenses will occur on a case-by-case basis
  • Placement Fees are based on a sliding fee scale

Contact your LSS Adoption worker for more information.

Combination of Programs
Families can pursue a Minnesota Special Needs Adoption and an Interstate Special Needs Adoption at the same time by completing the home study process, and searching for a child both in the State of Minnesota and in other states.

Initially, the home study fee will be paid for by the State of Minnesota (family must meet criteria of being open to adopting a child/children over age 6). The family pays the Interstate Special Needs Program Fee of $800 in order to find matches in states other than Minnesota. If a match is found in a different state, the family would then reimburse LSS and the state for their home study fee of $3100. Travel expenses and placement fees may also occur if the child is from another state.

As these situations can become complex, further discussion with your adoption worker about your plans will be a part of the home study process.

Adoption Tax Credit
A Federal tax credit in the amount of $10,000 per child is currently available to many families who adopt a child with special needs.

IRS Publication 968