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Grandparents Raising Kids Face Financial Strain
4 Feb
Summary
- Grandparents raising grandchildren often face financial hardship.
- Many seek benefits parity with Massachusetts foster families.
- Children in these families may experience mental health challenges.
In Massachusetts, a significant number of grandparents are raising their grandchildren, a role often assumed due to their adult children's struggles with addiction, mental illness, or death. These caregivers, many of whom are seniors, are experiencing profound financial difficulties and are lobbying for greater state assistance.
These grandparents are advocating for legislative changes to provide them with benefits comparable to those received by foster families. While some aid exists through free tuition programs, the core demand is for parity in financial stipends, social services, and allowances. Reports indicate these grandparent-led households face higher rates of poverty and food insecurity.
The children in these kinship-care families are also more vulnerable, exhibiting increased rates of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Despite the Department of Children and Families prioritizing kinship placements, most children raised by grandparents in Massachusetts do not come through the foster system.
