Yes, Area Agency on Aging is another good resource.

So happy to see your post. I have been recommending this for years. If you don't know how to contact check your state department on aging for grandparents raising grandchildren. Age does not matter.

Where I live they informed me they would do nothing for me unless my income was below the poverty level.

It's true that most programs are for at or below poverty level. However there should be a listing of support groups and referral service especially for anyone. Have you tried your state website for department on aging? They usually have info for grandparents no matter what your age. What state are you in? Also check your township office. Department of human services should be able to help with TANF funds and/or childcare.

At the recent Governor's Council meeting so many of the service providers and court officers had no idea grandparents could apply for Transitional Assistance. This can be done in more then one way - on JUST THE CHILDREN'S INCOME or on household income. You do have to prove you are a blood relative for most services but not all.

Social worker told me there was no help unless I was below poverty level. 2 months later I heard of child only tanf. I believe that's federal.went down to apply, worker told me I'm not eligible, I got her to go get sipervisor , she affirmed I was actually eligible as it's based on child's income not mine. Told me to write CHILD only TANF on top of application, I've been receiving ever since
Sad that everyone at dss doesn't know what's available

I am a little confused! I live in Texas and I was informed that EVERY GRANDPARENT raising a grand-child can get Medicaid for that child.....and this is suppose to apply to all of the United States?
I know I had a hell-of-a-time getting the medicaid for my GS and I spent 6 months in total frustration! According to the law, it does not matter how much the grandparents income it....or what assets the grand-parents own.....the grand-parents are not even required to fill out the information on their income or assets. I would fill out the sections I was told to fill out....submit the application....wait about a week or 2 and the dang thing would be returned to me as incomplete! I spent HOURS on 211 phone explaining it to the different employees of Medicaid (most of them are not even aware !)
After 6 months without results I contacted the Ombudsman....spent 8 minutes on the phone with them....and within 24 hours my GS had Medicaid! If you have never used the Osbudsman office please google to see everything they can do for you. The Ombudsman I spoke to was Texas related......but doesn't the law apply to all 50 states? The official definition of Ombudsman is: an official appointed to investigate individuals' complaints against maladministration, especially that of public authorities. I hope this information might help someone else?

211 is growing into more states. It is supposed to be nationally available at some point. Not sue what Transitional Assistance is. TANF is availble to all the children and the grandparents income should not be counted. There are different designations though. Sometimes benefits are for children considered homeless because they are living with grandparents temporarily (may be there awhile but no formal designation). Glad to hear of ombudsmen assistance. Things are improving but different in each state and not all workers are aware of what programs are available. It's good to report here because others can learn.