Money Is a Health Issue. Let's Talk About It.

April is a stressful month for a lot of people. But for grandparents raising grandchildren, tax season carries a particular weight. You're not just figuring out your own finances. You're navigating a financial landscape that the tax system wasn't originally designed for — one where you might be claiming a child you have no formal legal documentation for, or missing out on credits and deductions you didn't know you qualified for, or quietly absorbing thousands of dollars a year in expenses no one told you were reimbursable.

Financial health is real health. Chronic financial stress affects sleep, blood pressure, decision-making, and emotional wellbeing. It is not separate from your ability to show up for the children in your care. It is directly connected to it.

So this month, we're talking money. Not to add to the weight — but because knowing what you're entitled to can change things.

First: The Tax Deadline Is April 15

If you haven't filed yet, you have until Tuesday, April 15 to file your federal and Pennsylvania state tax returns. That's one week from today. If you need more time, you can file for a free extension — but an extension to file is not an extension to pay. If you owe taxes, interest starts accruing after April 15 regardless.

If you're not sure where to start or can't afford a tax preparer, there is free help available — right now, this week — and you don't have to be an AARP member to use it.

Free Tax Help: AARP Tax-Aide and VITA

Two programs exist specifically to help people in this situation, and both are free:

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is the nation's largest free tax preparation service. It's available to anyone, with a focus on taxpayers who are 50 and older or have low to moderate income. Volunteers are IRS-certified every year. You do not need to be an AARP member. Services run through April 15.

To find a site near you: call 1-888-227-7669 or visit aarp.org/taxaide.

VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) is an IRS program offering free tax help to people who earn $67,000 or less, individuals with disabilities, and those with limited English proficiency. Sites are located in libraries, community centers, and churches across Pennsylvania.

To find a VITA site near you: call 1-800-906-9887 or visit irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep.

Note: Appointments at these sites fill up fast this close to the deadline. Call today if you need help.

What Grandparent Caregivers Should Know at Tax Time

The tax system has specific provisions for kinship families — but they're not always clearly communicated. Here are the things most likely to be relevant to you:

Claiming your grandchild as a dependent. If your grandchild lives with you and you provide more than half of their support, you may be able to claim them as a qualifying child or qualifying relative. You generally do not need legal custody to do this — but you do need to meet IRS residency and support tests. A tax preparer can help you confirm eligibility.

Child Tax Credit. If you can claim your grandchild as a dependent and they are under 17, you may be eligible for the Child Tax Credit — worth up to $2,000 per qualifying child. This one alone can significantly change what you owe or what you receive back.

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). If you have earned income and are raising a grandchild, you may qualify for the EITC — a refundable credit that can put real money back in your pocket. Eligibility depends on income and the number of children in your care.

Child and Dependent Care Credit. If you paid for childcare so you could work or look for work, you may be eligible for this credit. It covers a percentage of qualifying care expenses.

Head of Household filing status. If you are unmarried and your grandchild is your qualifying dependent, you may be able to file as Head of Household rather than Single. This gives you a higher standard deduction and lower tax rates.

These credits and statuses are worth asking about specifically at your tax prep appointment. Don't assume you don't qualify.

Pennsylvania Programs That Could Help You This Year

Beyond the federal tax return, Pennsylvania has programs that many grandparent caregivers qualify for but don't know exist:

PA Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program If you are 65 or older (or a widow/widower 50+, or permanently disabled), you may be eligible for a rebate of up to $1,000 on property taxes or rent paid in 2025. Income limit: $46,520 (and remember — only 50% of your Social Security income counts toward that limit). Applications for 2025 are being accepted now. Deadline: June 30, 2026. Apply online at myPATH or get free in-person help at hundreds of locations statewide. → pa.gov/ptrr

PA COMPASS — Benefits Screening Tool Not sure what benefits you qualify for? COMPASS is Pennsylvania's online tool that lets you check eligibility and apply for SNAP (food assistance), TANF, Child Care Works, CHIP, and more — all in one place. → compass.state.pa.us | 1-800-692-7462

PA KinConnector Pennsylvania's dedicated support line for kinship caregivers. Trained navigators help grandparents and other relative caregivers understand and access financial assistance, legal resources, and support services statewide. → 1-866-546-2111 | kinconnector.org

PA Caregiver Support Program Administered through your local Area Agency on Aging, this program offers financial reimbursement for out-of-pocket caregiving expenses — including school supplies, hygiene items, and clothing for children in your care. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging to find out if you qualify. → 1-800-753-8827 | aging.pa.gov

A Note on Benefits You May Not Be Claiming

Research from the Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network found that the average grandmother-only kinship household earns less than $20,000 annually — and yet many families in this situation are not receiving all the benefits they qualify for. That gap is not usually a matter of not working hard enough or not caring enough. It's a matter of not knowing what's available, or not having the time and support to navigate systems that weren't designed with you in mind.

You are allowed to ask for help. You are allowed to use these programs. That's exactly what they're there for.

If you're not sure where to start, call KinConnector at 1-866-546-2111. Their navigators know the Pennsylvania landscape and can help you figure out what you might be missing.

Financial Health Is Part of the Picture

This blog series is built on one idea: that grandparents raising grandchildren deserve to be healthy in every sense of the word. Last month, we talked about mental health. This month, we're talking about the financial piece — because stability at home makes everything else possible.

The children you are raising are watching how you handle hard things. When you advocate for yourself — when you make the call, file the form, show up for the appointment — you are modeling something they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

You deserve the resources that exist for people in your situation. Go get them.

Quick Reference: Key Numbers and Links

Gifts Inc. supports grandparents raising grandchildren with resources, community, and connection. If you're a grandparent caregiver — or you know one — we'd love to hear from you.

Next month: Spiritual & Emotional Wellness — a reflection on what Mother's Day means when you're doing this the second time around.

Asha Jones