Benefits for Kinship/Foster Youth - SSI, HEAP, CCAP, Chafee Update, and more!
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Updated 9/6/22
Kinship caregivers (anyone caring for a child who is not their child) are eligible for multiple benefits and assistance programs. Benefits and cash assistance can help to provide a healthy and safe home environment by alleviating financial stress on households. Programs like SNAP, TANF, and HEAP can provide financial support to families providing kinship care. For information regarding resources for kinship caregiver benefits in Erie County, New York State, check out this informational pamphlet from the Office of Children and Family Services.
In this article:
Chafee Fund Program Latest Update
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
CCAP (Child Care Assistance Program)
HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program)
SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
Foster Care Payments
ETVs (Educational and Training Vouchers)
Independent Living Programs
iFoster Services
Foster Care Transition Tool Kit
1) Chafee Fund Program of NYS - Latest Update
The Chafee Fund Program is no longer accepting new applications at this time as program funds were exhausted. The funding will be available until September 30th, 2022. If the program decides to make new funding opportunities available, those opportunities will be listed on this webpage from the program. The program offers limited financial support to eligible youth who are currently or were in foster care. Each eligible applicant will be awarded a single payment of $2,000. To qualify for the Chafee funds the applicant must be:
At least 18 years old, but have not reached their 23rd birthday AND
Have been in foster care in New York State on or after the age of 14.
2) SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
SNAP, commonly known as food stamps, provides nutrition benefits to families to support the purchase of healthy foods. Eligibility for SNAP in New York State is determined by income and household size. You can read more about eligibility requirements on the New York State website, here. Households with a disabled or older adult have adjusted income guidelines. If you are in immediate need of financial help you may qualify for “expedited” SNAP, allowing you to receive your benefits within five days. You can create an account and begin your application on the “my benefits” web page. To apply for SNAP you must have the following documents:
Recent Pay Stubs
List of Household Resources
Current Rent/Mortgage Statement
Current Property Tax Bill
Current Homeowner’s Insurance Bill
Social Security Card
3) TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
TANF provides financial support for a limited time to families with children when their parents or other caretaking relative cannot provide for basic needs. Eligibility is determined by evaluating a number of factors including: household size, income level, housing situation, types of income, and your other resources and benefits. Recipients must have a low or very low income and must be a resident of the state in which they applied. Recipients must be a US citizen, a legal alien, or qualified alien. Recipients must fall into one of the following categories:
Have a child 18 years of age or younger
Are pregnant
Are 18 years of age or younger and the head of the household
If your application for TANF includes yourself, court-ordered custody or guardianship, active participation in work, and drug and alcohol screenings are required. However, these requirements are not necessary when only applying on the behalf of a child. You must also pursue child support for any child for whom you are applying for TANF, however, you may be eligible for a “good cause” exception if you are worried the parent you are asking for child support from could hurt you or the child. You can also apply for TANF on the ”my benefits” web page or you can file this application form with your local department of Social Services.
More from the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
In addition to TANF, detailed above, the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance has notified recipients of two other assistance payments that will be sent out. Contact the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance if you believe that you didn’t receive either of these payments but think you meet the requirements. To learn more read the payment notices included below.
Back to School Payments
To learn more, read the payment notice. Para aprender más, lea el aviso de pago.
One time payment of $214 per child
Children must be between the ages of 3 and 17 and must have been on an active Temporary Assistance case (see above) during the month of July 2022
The Temporary Assistance case must be open in the month of payment
May be used for school supplies such as books, pencils, pens, notebooks, etc.
Money directly paid into your EBT cash account
Infant Nutrition Assistance Payment
To learn more, read the payment notice. Para aprender más, lea el aviso de pago.
One time payment of $150 per child
Children must have been under the age of 3 and in an active Temporary Assistance case in July 2022
The Temporary Assistance case must be open in the month of payment
Can be used to assist the household in buying infant formula and food
Money directly paid into your EBT cash account
4) CCAP (Child Care Assistance Program)
The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) is available for families to help pay for the cost of child care. Families receiving child care assistance can choose from licensed, registered, or enrolled legally –exempt child care programs. Eligibility requirements consider income, reasons for needing day care, and a child’s age or individual needs. If you qualify for CCAP you may still need to pay a portion of the costs. When an eligible child resides with individuals other than the child’s parent, stepparent, the child’s adoptive parent, or the child’s legal guardian with financial responsibility for the child, then the case will be determined by the eligibility of the child only. In this situation, only the child’s income will be considered.
In New York State you can apply for CCAP online, once again, on the “my benefits" web page. You may also complete the application and deliver it to your local County Department of Social Services. Contact your Local Department of Social Services before applying as not all districts accept the application form.
5) HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program)
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) provides financial support eligible households in paying for energy costs (heating), repairs, and weatherization. Eligible households may receive one regular HEAP benefit per program year. HEAP also has an emergency benefit options for households that are in immediate danger of running out of fuel or having your utility service shut off. Eligibility requirements include: Income, household size, the primary heating source, and a disabled household member, or a household member either under the age of 6 or 60 years old and older.
A household may be eligible for regular HEAP benefits if:
A member of the household is a US citizen or qualified alien,
The household’s gross monthly income is at or below the current income guidelines for the household size,
The household receives SNAP benefits, the household receives TANF, or you receive a Code A Supplementary Security Income (SSI Living Alone).
For more information on qualifying household income for HEAP assistance, you may review their HEAP Program web page.
Emergency HEAP eligibility is based on income, available resources, and the type of emergency. You may be eligible for an emergency HEAP benefit if one of the following apply: Your electricity is necessary for your heating system or thermostat to work and is either shut off or scheduled to be shut off, your electric or natural gas heat is off or scheduled to be shut off, or you are out of fuel or very close to being out of fuel.
You must also meet these additional eligibility criteria:
Your income is at or below the current income guidelines or
You receive TANF, SNAP or Code A SSI,
The heating and/or electric bill is in your name, and
Your household’s available resources are less than $2,000 if no member of your household is age 60 or over, or less than $3,000 if any member of your household is age 60 or over.
The 2021-2022 Regular HEAP application closed in April of 2022, but to apply for the next application period please visit the “my benefits” web page. You may also apply in person at your HEAP Local District Office, or in writing by completing and mailing the completed HEAP application.
The 2021-2022 Emergency HEAP application is also closed, but when applications reopen you may apply by phone or in person by contacting your HEAP Local District Contact. To find your local HEAP office please visit the local office HEAP contact page.
6) SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
A child can receive social security benefits for their own disability, derivative benefits from a parent’s disability, or death benefits. Social Security offers support to grandparents raising their grandchildren. Social Security will pay benefits to grandchildren when the grandparent retires, becomes disabled, or dies, if certain conditions are met. Normally, the biological parents of the child must be deceased or disabled, or the grandparents must legally adopt the grandchild. When applying for a child’s social security benefits be sure to have the child’s birth certificate or other proof of birth or adoption, and the parents or child’s social security number. If you need help applying to become a child’s representative payee, please contact the Center for Elder Law’s Kinship department for guidance through our general intake line at (716) 853-3087.
To apply for SSI for a child with a disability visit the SSI for children web page. For more information on applying for a child’s social security benefits please visit the “information you need” web page.
7) Foster Care Payments
Foster parents are eligible to receive financial assistance to support the children in their care. The annual rate is set according to the child’s age and the level of care needed. There are three categories of board rates set to help support foster families: basic, special, and exceptional. Basic foster payments are made to foster parents who provide care for a child who has no identified special or exceptional needs. A designation can change at any point throughout the placement as the child’s needs change. Clothing and transportation allowances are included in the board rate and are part of the monthly payment. Initial clothing allowances are available for the child when they are initially placed in the foster home. Emergency clothing allowances are also available in special circumstances.
Additional costs may be reimbursed such as school-related expenses, camp fees, damaged or lost property, or miscellaneous expenses. To learn more about how to financially support children in your care please visit this informational web page from the Office of Children and Family Services on financially supporting a foster child.
Foster youth, or former foster youth, are eligible for benefits and assistance programs to ensure a smooth transition out of the foster care system. Benefits and assistance programs are targeted to address the educational, housing, employment, financial, and physical and mental health needs of former and current foster youths.
8) Educational and Training Vouchers (ETVs)
The Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program for New York State provides an opportunity for foster youth to continue their post-secondary education and training. Students are eligible for $5,000 a year for qualified school-related expenses. The grants are available on a first-come, first-serve basis to eligible students.
Applications for the Fall 2022-Summer 2023 award year is now open!
Students are required to re-apply for new funding each academic year staring on July 1st. New applications are accepted throughout the year. Before beginning the ETV application you must complete and submit your Free Application for Federal Student AID (FAFSA).
To apply for ETV funding the student must:
Be accepted or enrolled in a school that qualifies for Title IV of the Higher Education Act; and
Demonstrate progress toward completing their program
Qualifying Schools Include:
An education program that awards a degree; or
A school which awards a certificate for an educational training program that prepares students for employment in a recognized profession.
Foster Youth Qualified for the ETV Program Include:
A current foster care youth, including persons in need of supervision and individuals placed in the juvenile justice system
A former foster care youth who has not yet attained 21 and who is eligible for services under the Chafee Fund Program of NYS.
A youth adopted from US foster care or who entered KinGap at age 16 or older.
A youth who left US foster care at age 14 or older
A youth who is currently in the custody of the Office of Children and Family Services and placed in a non-secure or voluntary agency (Title IV-E facility)
A youth who is currently in the custody of the Office of Children and Family Services on aftercare status or receiving services in an Evening Reporting Center (ERC) and has been placed in a non-secure of voluntary agency (Title IV-E facility)
You can create an account and begin the application process by visiting the NYS Education and Training Voucher Program website.
9) Independent Living Programs
Independent living programs are services designed to help foster youth transition or age out of the foster system. Independent living coordinators are responsible for assisting foster youth to access services aimed at assisting youth achieve successful independent living. In New York State, there are two independent living coordinators. Kerri Barber is located in the Albany area and their email address is kerri.barber@ocfs.ny.gov. Kenneth Kirton is located in New York City and his email address is kenneth.kirton@ocfs.ny.gov. To find an independent living coordinator please visit the Independent Living and ETV coordinator directory.
10) iFoster Services
The iFoster website highlights educational, employment, health, recreational, and free or discounted products, services, and opportunities for young people aging out of foster care. iFoster is committed to helping individuals successfully transition out of the foster care system. It is free to create an account and use their resources.
To be qualify for iFoster Services you must be:
· Age 16 to 24
· Current Foster/Kinship/Crossover Youth
· Former Foster/Kinship/Crossover Youth
· For Certain programs you will be required to submit documentation to qualify.
To create an account, visit the iFoster website. If you have additional questions about the iFoster services and programs, you can call iFoster at 1-855-936-7873 or email them at support@ifoster.org.
11) Foster Care Transition Tool Kit
The Foster Care Transition Tool Kit provides information to help foster youths transition out of foster care. The tool kit focuses on providing social, emotional, educational, and financial skills so foster youths can thrive outside of the foster care system. The tool kit provides information on resources and organizations available to foster youths. For more information and resources please review the tool kit here.
Other Helpful Resources
Medicaid: Medicaid provides free and reduced medical insurance to eligible individuals. Independent Foster Care Adolescents are eligible for Medicaid. Individuals under the age of 21 who meet income qualifications for Medicaid.
To find more information on Medicaid eligibility please visit the Medicaid website. To learn more about applying for Medicaid in New York please visit the NY Department of Health Website.
Financial Resources: Having access to financial resources and education can encourage financial stability and growth. Please visit this article posted by Money Geek that talks about ways foster youth can financially transition out of foster care.