The Kinship Permanency Incentive (KPI) program in Ohio aims to provide financial support to kinship caregivers who have obtained legal custody or guardianship of minor children. This program offers incentive payments to eligible families to help ensure the stability and well-being of children placed in their care.
Eligibility Requirements for KPI
To qualify for the KPI program, kinship caregivers must meet specific criteria:
Legal Custody or Guardianship: A court order granting legal custody or guardianship of the child to the kinship caregiver must have been issued on or after July 1, 2005. Temporary court orders do not fulfill this requirement. The child must also reside with the kinship caregiver. Temporary absences due to hospitalization or respite care, for example, do not disqualify the caregiver as long as legal custody or guardianship is retained.
Ohio Residency: The kinship caregiver must be a resident of Ohio.
Income Limits: The gross income of the kinship caregiver’s family cannot exceed 300% of the federal poverty guidelines. Certain income sources are excluded from this calculation, such as child support paid to another custodian, a portion of child support received for the child in the kinship caregiver’s care, Ohio Works First payments, minor children’s income, SSI and SSDI payments, adoption subsidy and foster care reimbursements, Ohio adoption grant payments, and KGAP payments for other children.
Placement Assessment and Approval: The child’s placement with the kinship caregiver must be assessed and approved by the Public Children Services Agency (PCSA) or a Private Child Placing Agency (PCPA). This involves a home assessment to ensure a safe and suitable environment for the child. For placements made directly by a court or relative, the PCSA must conduct the assessment before approving KPI eligibility.
KPI Payment Structure
Eligible kinship caregivers receive an initial incentive payment and may receive subsequent payments at six-month intervals. The maximum number of payments is eight per child per kinship caregiver. The exact payment amounts are determined annually by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) and communicated to the PCSAs. It’s important to note that individuals approved for their sixth payment before March 17, 2014, are not eligible for additional payments. However, those who applied for their sixth payment on or after this date may be eligible for further assistance.
Application Process
Kinship caregivers must apply for the KPI program through the PCSA in their county of residence. The application requires documentation verifying legal custody or guardianship, income verification, and other supporting information. The PCSA will review the application and notify the caregiver of their decision within 15 business days of receiving a completed application. If the application is incomplete, the caregiver will be notified and given ten days to provide the missing information.
Additional Program Information
Kinship caregivers receiving payments from the Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KGAP) for a child are not eligible to receive KPI for the same child. If a kinship caregiver relocates to a different county in Ohio, the PCSA in the new county of residence becomes responsible for determining eligibility for subsequent incentive payments. The ODJFS director has the authority to suspend the KPI program if expenditures exceed appropriated state funds. Finally, kinship caregivers have the right to request a state hearing if their application is denied or if there are concerns about the processing of their application.
