Foster Care

The AFDC-Foster Care (AFDC-FC) Program provides cash and Medi-Cal benefits for providers of out-of-home care for children placed into foster care by Sacramento County Child Protective Services (CPS) or Probation Dept.

Authority for Placement

To qualify for benefits under AFDC-FC, the child in placement must be either:

  1. Declared a Dependent child of the court under Welfare & Institutions Code section 300, or
  2. Declared a Ward of the court under Welfare & Institutions Code section 600, or 3. put into placement as a result of a Voluntary Placement Agreement between the parent and CPS, or 4. be living with a non-related Legal Guardian. (temporary or permanent guardianship)

Active Services Case

To qualify for benefits under AFDC-FC, there must be an active services case open for the child with either Child Protective Services (CPS) for children placed under the authority listed as items 1, 3 or 4 above, or with the Probation Department for children who are Wards of the court.

Application

Foster Care providers – the caretakers of a foster child – do not need to come to a Human Assistance office to apply for AFDC-FC benefits. The child’s Placement Worker (CPS Social Worker or Probation Officer) completes all appropriate application and change of payee paperwork on behalf of the foster child and their caretaker. Cash and Medi-Cal benefits will be provided upon their authorization.

Only non-related Legal Guardians who have established guardianship on their own through Probate Court need to apply directly to Human Assistance for benefits. Once Guardianship is established, they should call 875-5770 to initiate the application process.

Eligible Facilities

AFDC-FC payments can be made to any of the following:

  • County-licensed Foster Family Homes (FFH) 
  • A family home certified by a state-licensed Foster Family Agency (FFA) 
  • A state-licensed Group Home 
  • The approved home of a relative (federally eligible foster child only) 
  • The approved home of a former relative (foster child’s parental rights terminated) 
  • The approved home of a non-related Legal Guardian 
  • The approved home of a Non-Related “Extended Family Member.” 
  • A state-licensed Small Family Home 

Relative Caretakers

In order for a related caretaker to receive AFDC-FC funds for the care of a child placed in their home, the following must occur:

  • The child must be determined to be eligible for federal AFDC-FC funding
  • The relative must prove that they are related within the 5th degree of kinship
  • The relative must complete a form stating whether they choose foster care or CalWORKs for cash aid.

Rates

  • All rates are monthly
  • All rates are effective July 1, 2014

Basic Rate: (minimum payment made to Foster Family Homes, Relatives, Former Relatives, non-related Legal Guardians and State-licensed Small Family Homes) 

Age  Rate
0-4 $ 671
5-8 $ 726
9-11 $ 764
12-14 $ 800
15-18 $ 838

 

Age Limit

A foster child may be eligible to receive AFDC-FC up to 18 or 21.

Property Limit

A foster child can retain up to $10,000 in funds that are available to them and remain eligible to receive AFDC-FC.

Contact

The main number for foster care eligibility questions is (916) 875-5770.