If you’re dreaming of expanding your family but lack the money to do so, then read our list of 5 ways to adopt a child without a lot of money.
For most of us, children are the greatest treasure in the world. While some dream big and strive to prosper in their careers and get rich, others have very simple dreams. They usually include getting a good education, finding a great job, getting married, and having children and not necessarily in that order. So having children is part of the natural course of life and something we need to do, during the course of life, just like getting a college education or buying a house. They give meaning to everything else, to all the struggles we go through and hard work we must endure.
But these simple dreams seem unreachable for so many people. While some people are blessed with many children, others suffer for not being able to have them. Couples who can’t have kids spend a fortune on expensive treatments in order to try and improve their possibilities to conceive. When they don’t succeed, they usually turn to adoption. Becoming a parent through adoption is the perfect alternative that is a dream come true for many desperate parents. The child gets a home and all the care needed, and parents get someone to love and nurture.
But adoption is a complicated process. In order to be considered for adopting, parents go through a long application process in order to show that they are fit to adopt a child. As if that isn’t enough, adoption costs are insanely high making it impossible for so many people to open the doors of their homes and become parents. The high cost of adoption shatters their dreams of providing a loving home to a child. We wrote about all the costs of adopting in our list of Requirements, Costs of Adopting a Baby from the Philippines. Adoption costs can go up to $40,000 and sadly, many families do not have that kind of money in their bank accounts. So what can those willing to expand their families do if they but lack money?
Luckily, we did a little researching on this subject and we found various websites that deal with this problem such as Child Welfare and Wise Bread. We compiled a list of 5 ways to adopt a child without a lot of money.
5. Adoption Grants
If you want to adopt a child but you can’t set aside $40,000, grants are one of the possible options for you. They are based on financial needs and if you qualify, you can get the cash you desperately need for adoption. And the best part is that they don’t have to be paid back. A few of the requirements for getting a grant involve working with a licensed agency and having a home study completed before applying.
4. Tax Credits
Another possible solution for your money problem on our list of ways to adopt a child without a lot of money is the tax credit. You have the right to claim up to $13,400 in adoption tax credits for adoption expenses. You can claim this money no matter if the adoption is domestic or international. This can seriously reduce the cost of adopting a child and make it possible for more people to become parents.
3. Adopting From Foster Care
For those who dream of becoming parents but don’t have enough cash set aside for adoption, adopting from foster care can help make their dream come true. You can apply directly to adopt a child in foster care or become foster parents first and then apply for adoption when all birth parents’ rights are terminated. Adopting from foster care can cost from $0 to $3,000 although a federal reimbursement plan is available and it can further reduce the cost. You must be prepared for adopting from foster care as many children there have some special needs. Now, let’s see the top two on our list of ways to adopt a child without a lot of money.
2. Employer Provided Benefits
There is more good news in our list of 6 ways to adopt a child without a lot of money. A great number of employers provide some sort of benefits for parents who wish to adopt. According to Child Welfare, about 50% of employers are willing to support you and make adoption more affordable. These benefits can come in the form of financial assistance, adoption counseling or leave policies so make sure you ask your employer for financial help.
1. Antioch Adoptions
However unbelievable it may sound, there are ways to adopt a child without a lot of money. Antioch Bible Church in Redmond, Washington, offers no fees adoption services for Christian families who wish to open their hearts and their doors to hurting children. Apart from having a strong Christian faith, they also look for healthy happy marriages when placing a child in a home. Their mission is to help children get their permanent home since adoption cost can make it difficult for so many families.