Adoptive parents getting letters about subsidies

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The adoptive parents and guardians of about 5,800 former foster children are receiving letters this week asking them to submit proof of their incomes so the state can determine whether they are eligible to continue receiving subsidies.

The letters from the Department of Social Services were mailed Monday and give families until the end of the month to respond.

State subsidies currently are given to the families regardless of income. But legislation passed earlier this year limits the subsidies to certain families earning less than 200 percent of the poverty level, $38,700 annually for a family of four.

The state estimates that about 2,000 children will lose subsidies.