Student Loan/Grant Applications and Adoption Support

[Sierra]

If the question asks "indicate the amount of child suport, nontaxable Social Security, Welfare benefits, or other untaxed income you received in 2009," am I required to put the amount of adoption support?

[alicia622]

I think you do because according to what I recently read re: adoption subsidy, it is considered a form of welfare payment. I just looked this up when I was trying to figure out the mess up with my state reporting adoption subsidy to the feds as taxable income. Everything I found said it is not taxed because it is welfare.

[Sierra]

I just talked with a couple folks in the adoption support office who said essentially the money belongs to my children and is not income. They said they couldn't speak for the schools, but seemed inclined to believe I would not list that money.

[junipermoon]

I never could find the answer to this either and tbh I've done both--reported it and not. the state agency said no, but they could not say that with legal certaintly, and were careful to point out they were not lawyers. but different places have said different things, so...good luck.

[queencarr]

Are you doing FAFSA? I have afriend that fills them out as part of her job--I will ask her and get back to you.

ETA: From my experience, I would guess that you do. When Rick was still active duty, he received BAS (Basic Allowance for Sustinence) in his paycheck and it was nontaxable. Even though legally the money could be used to buy food for him only, I was required to list it as part of my nontaxable income on FAFSA. It was still considered money that reduced my household expenses, freeing up other money elsewhere, technically.

[queencarr]

Friend's answer is:

Never had that one before but yes she would need to report it for that
question.

HTH's!