{"id":26796,"date":"2020-02-20T03:28:53","date_gmt":"2020-02-20T11:28:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/michaeln165.sg-host.com\/?page_id=26796"},"modified":"2021-02-26T13:33:13","modified_gmt":"2021-02-26T21:33:13","slug":"claiming-a-foster-child","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/adevine.io\/advokids-backup\/legal-tools\/information-for-caregivers\/claiming-a-foster-child\/","title":{"rendered":"Claiming a Foster Child"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Claiming a Foster Child on Taxes<\/h1>\n

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The law is clear that if a county child welfare agency has a foster child's Social Security Number (SSN), they must share it with caregivers. However, there is no law that requires a county to have the SSN or to acquire it. If the county has a foster child\u2019s SSN and refuses to provide it to the child's caregivers, then they are in violation of the\u00a0Welfare and Institutions Code Section 16503.5<\/a>\u00a0and are unlawfully denying the caregiver the right to benefit from the Federal Tax Credit.<\/p>\n

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Inquiring whether an SSN exists for your foster child:\u00a0<\/strong> To find out whether or not the county has your foster child's SSN on file, send a letter by certified mail to the director of your child welfare agency. Include the child's name and case file number. Cite and attach a copy of Welfare and Institutions Code section 16503.5<\/a>\u00a0and state your right as a caregiver to benefit from the Federal Tax Credit.<\/p>\n

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Requesting the child's SSN (if you know an SSN exists) from the county placing agency:\u00a0<\/strong> If you are aware that the county has the child's social security number on file and the county continues to refuse your request, we suggest you send a letter by certified mail to the director of your child welfare agency.\u00a0 In your letter, include the child's name and case file number. Cite and attach WIC section 16503.5<\/a> and request that the county provide you with the SSN within 7 days. If you do not receive the SSN within 7 days, please call Advokids at 415.924.0587.<\/p>\n

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Requesting an Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number (ATIN):<\/strong><\/p>\n

If the child is legally placed in your home for adoption by an authorized placement agency, the child may qualify for an ATIN<\/a>, which can be used to file for the Child Tax Credit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Requesting the child's SSN at the Social Security Administration:<\/strong>\u00a0 Another way you can try to obtain the SSN is to locate your nearest Social Security Administration branch office and walk in to request the child\u2019s SSN. Explain you are the child\u2019s foster parent and you need the SSN in order to file your tax return. You should not be asked about (nor should you volunteer) any information about the child\u2019s reason for being in care or any information about the child\u2019s social worker or court case.<\/p>\n

You will be asked to show some or all of the following: your identification (driver\u2019s license or state-issued ID or passport), your foster placement agreement\/relative caregiver placement agreement, your adoptive placement agreement (if any), or your court order of adoption (if the adoption has been finalized). You will likely be asked for a copy of the child\u2019s birth certificate. If you do not have a copy of the birth certificate, other forms of identification will sometimes be accepted, such as the child\u2019s health insurance card (Medicaid, MediCal). The SSA employee may give you the child\u2019s SSN on the spot if it can be found with a quick check of computer records.<\/p>\n

Please save and document any and all responses you receive. This information may be forwarded to Advokids at\u00a0\u00a0ssnadvocate@adevine.io<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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SSN Requests for Los Angeles County\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Los Angeles county is no longer requiring court orders before they share a child\u2019s Social Security Number (SSN) with a caregiver. If you are a caregiver for a foster child in Los Angeles County, you may send a request for a child\u2019s SSN to\u00a0SSNInquiries@dcfs.lacounty.gov<\/a>. LADCFS will provide the child\u2019s SSN upon request, if they have it. Please save and document any and all responses you receive, and forward them to us at\u00a0ssnadvocate@adevine.io<\/a>.<\/p>\n