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The Hidden Costs of Kinship Care: What Kinship Caregivers Need to Know
When a child enters kinship care, life can change quickly. Along with providing a safe and loving home, caregivers may suddenly face new responsibilities and expenses, from clothing and food to childcare, school supplies, transportation, and medical needs.
These changes often happen with little time to prepare. Understanding what expenses to expect, where to find kinship care financial assistance, and what community resources are available can help caregivers feel more prepared and supported as they adjust to their new role.
Understanding the Costs of Kinship Care
The cost of caring for a child can look different from family to family. Some expenses happen right away, while others become part of the household budget over time.
For example, a child may need new clothes or shoes, school supplies, personal-care items or technology. Caregivers may also have additional grocery, transportation or childcare expenses.
The National Retail Federation’s 2026 Back-to-School Survey found that families with children in elementary through high school plan to spend an average of $863.86 per student on back-to-school items. That includes clothing and accessories, shoes, school supplies, and electronics.
Here’s what some of those expenses can look like:
| Expense | What caregivers may need | Estimated cost | What this can look like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clothing & accessories | Shirts, pants, underwear, socks, pajamas, and seasonal clothing | $250.29 | A child may need several new outfits, seasonal clothing, undergarments or a coat, particularly if they enter care with limited belongings. |
| Shoes | Sneakers, school shoes, boots, sandals, or other seasonal footwear | $174.01 | A child may need new school shoes, sneakers or seasonal footwear, especially if they have outgrown what they already have. |
| School supplies | Notebooks, folders, pencils, backpacks and other classroom necessities | $146.45 | Back-to-school costs may include a backpack, notebooks, writing supplies, folders, calculators and other items requested by the school. |
| Electronics | Computers, tablets, headphones and other school-related technology | $293.11 | A child may need a computer, tablet, headphones or other technology to complete schoolwork and participate in learning. |
| Food & groceries | Meals, snacks, drinks, lunch items and other groceries | About $174–$253/month | Adding a child to the household means additional meals, snacks, school lunches and groceries throughout the month. |
| Personal-care items | Soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, hair-care products and hygiene products | Varies | Caregivers may need to purchase personal-care and hygiene products that were not previously part of their household budget. |
| Childcare & after-school care | Daycare, babysitting, summer programs and after-school care | About $1,099/month | A caregiver may need additional care while working, attending appointments or managing other responsibilities. |
| Transportation | Gas, public transportation, school activities, appointments and other travel | Varies | Additional trips for school, medical appointments, activities or family visits can increase transportation costs. |
| Medical & dental needs | Copays, prescriptions, dental care, glasses and other health-related needs | Varies | A child may need medical or dental care, prescriptions, glasses or other health-related items after entering care. |
| Activities & other necessities | Sports, extracurricular activities, field trips, books and other everyday needs | Varies | Sports fees, field trips, activities, books and other needs can create additional expenses throughout the year. |
Food estimates are based on USDA food-plan costs and can vary based on a child’s age and the spending level used. The childcare figure is based on Child Care Aware of America’s 2025 national average and is provided as a monthly equivalent. The National Retail Federation figures are back-to-school spending estimates, not monthly costs.
For a kinship caregiver welcoming a child unexpectedly, expenses like these can become an immediate concern, before considering the ongoing costs of food, transportation, childcare, personal-care items and other everyday needs.
Finding Kinship Care Financial Assistance
Clothing is only one piece of the financial picture. Kinship caregivers may also need support with food, childcare, and other household expenses.
ASCI provides resources to help caregivers learn about potential assistance, including information about TANF Child-Only Grants and SNAP.
Understanding available kinship caregiver benefits can help caregivers make informed decisions and identify resources that may support their family.
ASCI Supports Kinship Caregivers
At ASCI, we understand that supporting children in kinship care means supporting the caregivers who care for them.
Through programs and resources such as the Kinship Closet and the Kinship Connections Resource Library, ASCI provides practical information and support for kinship families.
The Resource Library includes tools and information on topics such as:
- Understanding childhood trauma and displacement
- Talking with children about their parents
- TANF Child-Only Grants and SNAP
- Essential supplies for children and youth
- Other kinship care resources
You Don’t Have to Figure It All Out Alone
From everyday expenses to finding financial assistance and essential supplies, knowing where to turn can make caring for a child a little easier. Explore ASCI’s kinship care resources to find practical information and support for the needs that come with caring for family.
See What Your Expenses May Look Like
Every family’s situation is different, and some expenses may be easier to anticipate than others. Use ASCI’s Kinship Care Expense Estimator below to get a quick estimate of the costs you may need to plan for, from clothing and groceries to transportation, childcare, and other everyday needs.
Enter the expenses that apply to your situation and use the estimated total as a starting point for planning your household budget.