If you're considering adopting, you may be eligible for benefits beyond the biggest one of all — the joy of welcoming a child into your family. You will be amply supported with this major life decision, from assistance with adoption expenses to tax credits and non-chargeable leave.
The Department of Defense Adoption Reimbursement Program, health care benefits, the federal tax credit, and time off to spend with your new child are among the programs designed to help with this family transition. Learn about all the benefits available to you so you can be well informed as you approach adoption.
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Adoption Reimbursement Program
This program reimburses eligible service members for "reasonable and necessary" expenses when they adopt a child from a qualifying adoption agency. These expenses typically include:
- Public and private adoption agency fees
- Placement fees
- Legal fees
- Medical expenses
- Temporary foster care charges
The amount of financial reimbursement a service member can receive per child in a given year is limited. The program and reimbursement limits are governed by DoD Instruction 1341.09. Adoption-related travel costs are not reimbursable.
To be reimbursed through the Adoption Reimbursement Program, service members must:
- Be on active duty for at least 180 days
- Adopt a child who is under age 18
- Adopt through a qualifying adoption agency and have the adoption finalized
- Submit a claim for reimbursement within one year of the adoption finalization and before the service member is discharged from the military
Non-chargeable leave
Service members may be authorized up to 21 days of non-chargeable leave following an adoption:
- The service member's supervisor must approve the leave and can deny it depending on mission requirements and certain circumstances.
- Service members must meet the eligibility requirements for the Adoption Reimbursement Program.
- The adoption must have been completed after Jan. 6, 2006.
For dual-military couples who adopt a child, this leave may be authorized for only one service member.
Health care benefits for adopted children
Children are covered as TRICARE Prime beneficiaries for 60 days after birth or adoption, as long as one family member is enrolled in TRICARE Prime. Children whose parents are enrolled in TRICARE Prime Overseas are covered for the first 120 days after birth or adoption. After that period:
- The parent must submit an enrollment application to keep the child's TRICARE Prime coverage.
- The child will automatically be covered under TRICARE Standard and Extra until 365 days after the adoption if an enrollment application is not submitted within 60 days of the adoption or 120 days for those stationed overseas. The child can still be enrolled in TRICARE Prime during this time.
- The Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System will show the child's status as "loss of eligibility" if 365 days have passed and the child has not been enrolled. At that point, the child must be registered in DEERS to be eligible for TRICARE benefits.
Internal Revenue Service adoption tax credit
Families adopting a child may qualify for a tax credit (up to $13,190 for 2014) to help offset adoption costs. If you can't use all the credit in one year, it may be carried forward. For more information, visit the Internal Revenue Service website.