So ok, fellow foster parents, how do you claim your foster kids on your income taxes if no one can give you the social security number?
Jo Jo qualifies as my dependent, as she has been with me for more than 6 months total, and more than 6 months in 2013. Unfortunately, my case worker does not have her SSN. How is that possible??? Who else should have it if not the foster care worker? She referred me to the financial person at the agency, who also doesn’t have it. This person says no other foster parent has ever asked her this before. Is that because most foster care workers have access to their kids’ SSNs? You can’t tell me that other foster parents aren’t claiming their placements!
I read online somewhere that if the agency/DHS refuses to give you the SSN for privacy reasons, you are SOL. Unless you are pre-adoptive, then your adoption worker should give it to you. If that can’t happen, you have to apply to the IRS for an individual tax number for your child.
What a headache. Bah.
Mother of All Things 
You might check with Foster Ducklings and see if she has any advice. She’s a foster mama CPA. http://www.fosterducklings.com/2014/01/can-i-claim-my-foster-child-on-my-tax.html
I read this information not too long ago from a fellow foster parent who is a CPA. http://www.fosterducklings.com/2014/01/can-i-claim-my-foster-child-on-my-tax.html
That’s funny that we wrote this two minutes apart and I didn’t see her comment when writing mine lol Small world!!
Good morning! Thanks for thinking of me ladies. 🙂
I have heard of several foster parents having success with getting the SSN directly from the Social Security Administration.
Gather whatever documentation you have – your placement paperwork, birth certificate if you’ve got it, a physical form from you pediatrician might help.
Take all that to your local SSA office, tell them JoJo’s SS card was lost, and ask for a replacement card.
Good luck! Pop over to Foster Ducklings and let me know if it works. 🙂