University Human Resources

Adoption Reimbursement

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Adoption Expenses

Adoption Reimbursement

Brown University provides reimbursement for eligible child adoption expenses.

Faculty and regular staff working at least 67% time^* or greater with at least one year of full-time service immediately prior to the initiation of the adoption are eligible for a one-time child adoption expense reimbursement per calendar year. Reimbursement requests may include services received within the current calendar year or during the prior calendar year.

Brown University provides reimbursement of up to $5,000 in qualified expenses associated with the cost of adoption. This reimbursement is for one adoption event per employee, per calendar year. The adopted child must be under 18 years of age when the expense is paid and/or incurred. The benefit does not apply in situations where the adoption is for the child of an employee's spouse or domestic partner. If both parents are employees of Brown University, only one parent is eligible for the reimbursement.

^*Percent time = Employee’s scheduled hours and months divided by the employer’s standard hours and months for a full-time work schedule.

Qualified Expenses

Expenses are considered qualified if they meet any of the criteria listed below:

Reasonable and necessary adoption fees.
Court costs and attorney fees.
Travel expenses (including amounts spent for meals and lodging while away from home).
Other expenses that are directly related to and for the principle purpose of the legal adoption of an eligible child.

Qualified adoption expenses don’t include expenses:

For which you received funds under any state, local, or federal program.
That violates state or federal law.
Incurred on dates in which you were not working for Brown University in a benefits eligible capacity.
For carrying out a surrogate parenting arrangement.
For the adoption of your spouse’s or domestic partner’s child.

How to Apply

This benefit is a reimbursement program. Eligible employees may apply for reimbursement of qualified adoption expenses.

Send the completed adoption assistance form, with verifying documents and invoice to worklife@brown.edu or mail them to:

Brown University
Benefits Office
Box 1879
Providence, RI 02912

Frequently Asked Questions

Union members are not eligible for this benefit. Please refer to your respective collective bargaining agreement for eligible benefits.

Reimbursement is made in the employee’s paycheck in a lump sum.

The reimbursement is not subject to Federal, State or City taxes. However, the reimbursement is still subject to Social Security and Medicare withholding rules.

No, the benefit only applies once per employee per calendar year.

No, the Adoption Reimbursement is a one-time child adoption expense reimbursement per calendar year. Reimbursement requests may include services received within the current calendar year or during the prior calendar year. You should compile your eligible expenses and submit them together with your completed application.

No. You are only eligible for one $5,000 reimbursement per adoption.

Yes. You are eligible for one $5,000 reimbursement per adoption per calendar year. You would be welcome to apply for a second reimbursement if you complete a separate adoption in a subsequent year.