Grandparents raising grandchildren are grandfamilies. This articles lists some resources for financial help, health care, and other support for grandfamilies.

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Though there doesn't appear to be any sort of national clearing house of resources or information for grandparents raising grandchildren, there is help available.

Below are some opening ideas for finding financial, medical and nutritional assistance for the grandchildren you're raising. To continue your quest for help, talk with your local women's organizations, social services agencies and even organizations that work with homeless women and children or survivors of domestic violence. They may be able to point you in a good direction, even if you don't qualify for their specific programs.

Check your community newspaper listing of meetings and organizations to see if there's a support group for grandfamilies. For example, Spring Hill, FL is the home of a very active group that's growing all the time.

The group started when several families found they weren't the only ones raising grand kids. They ran a small classified ad to find other grandfamilies, posted notices on local bulletin boards, and asked the media to run public service notices about their efforts. Ask your newspaper's community events editor to assign a feature story about your group once you have a meeting space and a few members.

You can also search Google or any other search engine using key words like grandfamilies, raising grandchildren or assistance for children plus the name of your state. Good luck, and click the Start a Discussion link below to let us know if you find something helpful.

RESOURCES:

Food stamps - call your local Department of Social Services, call 1 800 221 5689, or go to the food stamp program site.

Social Security - in some cases, especially with disability, grandchildren may qualify for monthly benefits. Go online to Social Security or you can call 1 800 772 1213.

WIC (Women, Infants, Children food program) - Nutritional advice, counseling and food provision for low income pregnant women, women whose babies are under 11 months old or children under five who have nutritional disorders. Grandchildren you're raising may fit the criteria.

Find your local number or call the head office in Virginia at 703 305 2746.

Temporary assistance to needy families - for financial grants and job opportunities. There are grants for children that are not based on grandparent income or employment status. Get in touch with your local Department of Human Services or check this site.

IDEA Individuals with Disabilities Education Act - did you know disabled children, or those at risk of becoming so, can get tons of help? Special education services are free including evaluations, screening, treatment plans and case management services. Infants through school age. Here's a list or contact the office by mail or phone. 1110 North Glebe Road, Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22201-5704. Phone is 888 CEC-SPED (888 232 7733), toll free; or 703 620 3660, local.

School meal assistance (breakfast/lunch) - ask your school guidance department about applying for free hot meals.

Heating and cooling bills help - LIHEAP pays bills for low income people who meet certain criteria. Also offers help for energy efficient home repairs in some cases. The local offices can be found here or call National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) project toll-free at 1-866-674-6327 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time).

Your area child welfare office can provide advice and assistance in the following areas:

Foster care payments

Guardianship subsidies

Adoption assistance money

Contact information for regional and state resources that apply to your area

Medical assistance referrals

Health concerns. Check out CHIPS - Children's Health Insurance Program (program may have different names in different states). Each state has a way to provide health care services for children under 18 whose parents can't afford insurance but make too much money to qualify for Medicaid. Call 877 543 7669 or visit the site. Talk to your community or area Medicaid office to see if you qualify for Medicaid.

Tax help. Call the IRS or visit their Web site. Search for and read about:

Child tax credit

EITC (Earned income tax credit)

Child and Dependent Care Credit

Additional possibilities.

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