September 18, 2023
Nyasha Smith, Secretary
Council of the District of Columbia
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20004
Dear Secretary Smith,
Today, I am introducing the Grandparent and Caregiver Subsidy Eligibility Amendment Act of
2023. Please find enclosed a signed copy of the legislation, which is co-introduced by
Councilmember Janeese Lewis George who chairs the Committee on Facilities and Facilities and
Family Services.
This proposed legislation expands the eligibility of grandparents for the Grandparent Caregiver
Program (GCP) and close relatives and caregivers for the Close Relative Caregiver Program
(CRCP) from 200% to 300% of the federal poverty line. The GCP provides a monthly subsidy to
eligible District of Columbia residents with low incomes who are raising their grandchildren,
great-grandchildren, great nieces, or great nephews. The CRCP provides a monthly subsidy to
eligible Washingtonians with low incomes who are raising their siblings, nieces, nephews, and
cousins, etc. Both the GCP and the CRCP are meant to support families and reduce the number
of children entering formal foster care.
These programs are used by the Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) to offset the costs of
caring for relative children who might otherwise end up in the foster care system. Currently, to
qualify for the GCP and the CRCP, participants’ household income must remain below 200% of
the federal poverty level.1 By expanding the eligibility for the GCP and the CRCP, the District will
provide necessary financial resources to caregivers previously excluded due to income up to
300% of the federal poverty line. Ultimately, this expansion will ensure more families have the
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D.C. Official Code § 4–251.03(a)(5) (2022); see also D.C. Official Code § 4–251.23(a)(5) (2022).
resources needed to nurture the well-being of children at risk of entering the foster care
system.
Families denied participation in the GCP and the CRCP due to income ineligibility often struggle
to support the well-being of the children in their care. In 2022, the GCP served 801 children
among 484 families, whereas 11 applicants were denied due to income ineligibility. In the same
year, the CRCP served 71 children among 39 families, whereas 14 applicants were denied
because of their income. This legislation will increase the safety, permanence, and wellbeing of
neglected children by ensuring more families receive necessary financial resources through the
GCP and the CRCP to support some of the District’s most vulnerable children. Importantly, we
stress through this bill that benefiting families shall not be penalized for receiving this
supplemental payment as 72% of families participating in the GCP and the CRCP also receive
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or TANF.
Please contact my Legislative Director, Kendra Wiley at kwiley@dccouncil.gov if you have any
questions.
Sincerely,
Zachary Parker
Ward 5 Councilmember
 1 _________________________________ _________________________________
2 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George Councilmember Zachary Parker
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7 A BILL
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9 _________________________
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11 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
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13 _________________________
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16 To amend the program through which a grandparent or close relative of a child may be eligible
17 to receive subsidy payments for the care and custody of a child.
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19 BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may
20 be cited as the “Grandparent and Caregiver Subsidy Eligibility Amendment Act of 2023”.
21 Sec. 2. The Grandparent Caregivers Pilot Program Establishment Act of 2005, effective
22 March 8, 2006 (D.C. Law 16-69; D.C. Official Code § 4-251.01 et seq.), is amended as follows:
23 (a) Section 103(a)(5) is amended by striking the phrase “income (excluding Supplemental
24 Security Income) is under 200%” and inserting “income (excluding Supplemental Security
25 Income) is under 300%” in its place.
26 Sec. 3. The Close Relative Caregiver Subsidy Pilot Program Establishment Amendment
27 Act of 2019, effective November 26, 2019 (D.C. Law 23.32; D.C. Official Code § 4-251.21 et
28 seq.), is amended as follows:
29 (a) Section 103(a)(5) (D.C. Official Code § 4-251.23(a)(5)) is amended by striking the
30 phrase “income (excluding Supplemental Security Income) is under 200%” and inserting the
31 phrase “income (excluding Supplemental Security Income) up to 300%” in its place.
32 (b) Section 103 (D.C. Official Code § 4-251.23) is amended by adding a new section (j)
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33 to read as follows:
34 (1) The Mayor shall choose State options and seek all necessary federal approvals
35 or waivers to implement this section.
36 Sec. 4. Fiscal impact statement.
37 The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal
38 impact statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975,
39 approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a).
40 Sec. 5. Effective date.
41 This act shall take effect after approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the
42 Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), a 30-day period of congressional review as
43 provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December
44 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)), and publication in the District of
45 Columbia Register.
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