Took in 2 Grandkids Full Time and Living on Fixed Income - Help

Hello N.,

Have them call Texas 211 Info line, just like that, dial 211 and follow the prompts, they have alot of resourceful information.

Good Luck and keep me posted!!

You have received a lot of good advice. Churches do help out a lot, but I'm also wondering about how good they invested in their retirement, they might make too much to qualify for any assistance, but then again they may. Also, if they are on a fix income, they might qualify for Lite Up Texas, which helps out with utilities, Medicaid/Chips would be good for the kids to get health insurance. The girl who will start school may qualify for reduce or free lunches. WIC was a great suggestion for the 2 year old. The momma that said call 211 gave a good resource that can give them what they need.
God will always provide!

I would have them apply for medicaid and see if they can get health insurance or food assistance.

If not if they are in Tarrant county they can apply for JPS Health also if they don't qualify for Medicaid.

You can refer them to WIC for the 2 year old and can get
milk cereal cheese and a few things. Anything I know helps and they can get it till the child 5 if they qualify by income.

Just a few tings I could think of.

You might want to suggest they go to this website www.raisingyourgrandchildren.com It has a lot of information of resources and legal issues that they need to consider and some good practical advice. good luck to your friends! it was nice for you to help them.

Also, check with some local churches. For example, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship has a clothes pantry, food pantry, and a Family Center which helps with baby items. Angel Food Ministries provides enough food for a week for a family of 4 for a set fee. (about $30)http://www.angelfoodministries.com/

Thrift stores, hand me downs, etc are going to be the best resources for clothes.

Also, have them check into some in-home daycares which are often times less expensive than daycare centers. More research is needed, however its worth it to save a few hundred a month

You didn't say how old they were but one of the suggestions I didn't see listed was for one of them to go back to work at a job that provides medical benefits -- or both of them get part time jobs and one of those with benefits. Add to the list of needs term life insurance because if one of them goes, the other will need that for themselves and the kids! Also, all the welfare programs in the world are not going to pay for any extras that many of the other kids will get (lessons, extra curricular activities, or needing care if one of the kids developes a learning difference or a condition not covered by any insurance).