Additional Funds Available for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

ELET News

Apr 22

The COVID-19 pandemic presents many challenges for American families including the millions of “grandfamilies” in which a grandparent is raising his or her own grandchildren. The Federal government announced this week that older adults caring for dependent grandchildren under the age of 17 years may qualify for an additional $500 payment per child. The government is beginning to make payments, but individuals may need to take additional steps now in order to receive a payment without the necessity of filing a tax return.If you don’t file a tax return or haven’t filed your 2019 taxes, here’s what you need to know:

If you receive Social Security retirement (SS), survivor or disability benefits (SSDI), or Railroad Retirement benefits (RRB) and you weren’t required to file taxes in 2018 or 2019, use the special non-filer tool to submit information about children in your care by noon Eastern Time, Wednesday, April 22.
If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and weren’t required to file taxes in 2018 or 2019, use the special non-filer tool by the end of April to receive child payments. If you’re a non-filer with eligible children and receive Veterans’ Assistance (VA) benefits, submit this information as soon as possible.
If you plan to file 2019 taxes, you may be able to claim children under 17 on your return to receive an additional Economic Impact Payment.

People who receive SSI, Social Security, retirement, survivors, disability insurance, VA, or Railroad retirement benefits will automatically receive individual payments.If your spouse lives with you, doesn’t receive these federal benefits, and didn’t file taxes in 2018 or 2019, provide information about them as well. After the IRS sends out your individual payment, you’ll need to file a return to receive the additional payment for children under 17 or a non-filing spouse who doesn’t receive federal benefits.Visit consumerfinance.gov/coronavirus for more resources.

Amelia Crotwell, JD

Amelia Crotwell, founder and managing partner at Elder Law of East Tennessee, has guided families through long-term care and special needs challenges for nearly two decades. Specializing in Life Care Planning and special needs trusts, Amelia also collaborates across all areas of elder law, including wills, trusts, Medicare, Medicaid, probate, and veterans benefits planning. Certified as an Elder Law Attorney since 2011, she is president-elect of the Life Care Planning Law Firms Association and co-chair of their strategic planning committee. Amelia is deeply involved in the Special Needs Alliance and a prominent member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. She played a key role in founding the Tennessee chapter of NAELA, serving as its first president. A member of the Tennessee Bar Association and past chair of its Elder Law Section Executive Council, Amelia also dedicates time to pro bono work and community education. She earned her J.D., summa cum laude, from the University of Tennessee College of Law and teaches Elder Law there as an adjunct professor since 2018.