Policy Effective: April 1, 2019

The Utah Adoption Assistance Program provides employment connection services, including Financial Assistance, to a Utah resident birth parent who was, or would have been, the parent of a child whose custody has been relinquished for the purpose of adoption. The program provides assistance to a birth parent who would otherwise be eligible for Family Employment Program (FEP) assistance if custody of the child had been maintained.

The date of relinquishment is the date the birth parent signs the relinquishment form.

A Utah resident parent must have voluntarily relinquished custody of the child for the purpose of adoption. In Utah a relinquishment of a child can occur at any age, with the condition that a child age 12 or older must agree to the relinquishment.

Birth parents who have their parental rights terminated by a court are NOT eligible for this program.

To be eligible for adoption assistance the parent must be participating in appropriate employment related activities such as job search, job training, high school/adult education, skill training, community work, and other related employment activities. See policy 321 for more information on participation requirements.

Assistance for a woman who is in her third trimester, and is planning to relinquish custody of the child for the purpose of adoption is based on the Family Employment Program requirements until the child is born and custody has been relinquished. Once verification of relinquishment has been provided, Financial adoption assistance may continue to be provided based on participation and eligibility requirements.

A parent not receiving Financial assistance at the time of relinquishment must apply for the Adoption Assistance Program by the end of the second month after the month of relinquishment. Adoption Assistance is not available to a parent who applies outside of this time frame.

For a birth parent with other related dependent children residing in the home, the parent must be eligible for and receive FEP Financial assistance. An additional adoption assistance amount will be added to the monthly amount.

FEP/AA parents are required to meet the requirements of the Substance Abuse Determination Process.

For a birth parent with no other related dependent children residing in the home, Financial adoption assistance will be provided equal to a household size of one if otherwise determined eligible.

A birth parent who relinquished custody of a child and then takes back custody of the child before the adoption is finalized, is no longer eligible for Adoption Assistance.

Medical Programs:

If the birth parent is eligible for the Family Employment Program because other related children are living in the household, the parent may be eligible for Medicaid assistance.

A birth parent who receives adoption assistance as a household size of one because no other related children are living in the household, may qualify for Adult Expansion.

See the Medicaid Eligibility Manual .

This is a time limited program. See policy 283 .