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DNA Testing for Low Income

DNA testing, which is 99.9 percent accurate, is the most reliable way to establish the parentage of a child and is widely used throughout the legal system to exclude or implicate potential suspects. Until recently these tests remained out of reach for the general public, but with the growing presence of at-home tests and testing sites, everyone can take advantage of DNA analysis. Testing for low-income citizens range from free to low-cost

  1. SwabTest.com

    • This affordable at home test gives you results within three days of testing and is fully accredited by the International Organization For Standardization (ISO) under its 17025 heading. This validates a company's competency to carry out tests and calibrations. Swab Test guarantees 99.9 percent accuracy. Tests are ordered and sent out to the customer, who then provides swabs, or other materials like gum that contain DNA. Customers are provided with status reports during the testing process and the company also performs legally admissible tests.

    Office Of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE)

    • For couples involved in legal disputes, the OCSE provides free DNA testing to establish a child's parentage. Results are legally admissible in court and enable the child to take advantage of pension, Social Security and health insurance benefits. It also sets up legal grounds for child support on the part of the father. The courts may be petitioned for a DNA test and in most cases sample taking is noninvasive. DNA tests can also be done if the alleged father is deceased.

    Rite Aid/Sorenson Genomics

    • Rite Aid was the first retail drug store to begin selling affordable, over-the-counter DNA tests to the general public. The test, called Identigene is available at Rite Aid locations or from the company's website. In addition to establishing paternity, Identigene is useful for researching ancestry and gaining insight into potential health problems. Purchase does not include a lab processing fee, and legally admissible results cost extra, but it still ends up costing less than most testing services.

    Father's Day Testing

    • Some clinics and testing facilities offer free or low-cost DNA testing on Father's Day. If you can put off the process for a while, it might be worth it to wait and save some extra money. For example DNA Diagnostics Center in Fairfield, Ohio offers discounted rates for the full week leading up to Father's Day. It also offers Y chromosome testing that can help trace someone's ancestry.

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