Becoming a foster parent can be tasking and require a lot of funds to cope with it. Considering the burden of raising a child, many intending foster parents want to know how much you get paid to be a foster parent.
However, becoming a foster parent for the sake of money is certainly not the right reason to do so. Rather, foster parenting should contribute to the growth of a child who is “left behind” in life. The money you receive as a foster parent is called reimbursement and it is to take care of basic needs. The purpose of the money is to enable you to cater for needs like:
- Clothing
- Medical aid,
- School needs
- Standard maintenance
- Property damage, etc.
Reimbursement for foster kids is not meant to take care of your personal needs, but assistance to ensure the child’s proper upbringing. Note that, as a foster parent, you are saddled with the responsibility of providing the child’s essential needs.
To serve as a foster parent in the United States, you must obtain approval from the state you reside in.
For example, if you live in California, you must obtain the state’s approval to serve as a foster parent. Many intending foster parents are often eager to know how much you get as a foster parent. Thus, the first question you usually expect from them is how much do you get paid to be a foster parent?
This article aims to provide an answer to this common question and other common questions about foster parenting.
Table of contents
- How Much Do You Get Paid As A Foster Parent?
- How Long Does It Take For Foster Parents To Start Receiving Payments?
- What Cost-Saving Opportunities Are Available For Foster Parent?
- What is the monthly cumulative amount you receive as a foster parent?
- Opportunities For You as A Foster Parent In 2023(3 Reasons You Need to Consider Becoming a Foster Parent)
- Bottom Line
- Recommendation
How Much Do You Get Paid As A Foster Parent?
The amount of money you get as a foster parent depends on the County where you registered and obtained your license as a foster parent. The reimbursement amount is paid per child under your foster care. The amount varies from $25 to $30 daily per child. For children with additional needs, the amount is usually higher.
How Long Does It Take For Foster Parents To Start Receiving Payments?
The first payment may take a few weeks to arrive depending on when a child was placed under your care.
If you register with a Foster Family Agency (FFA), it is a common practice for most counties to send in payments to FFA within the first 15 days of the month.
Therefore, foster parents may likely need to wait for a few weeks to get their payments. Once you receive the first payment, you become eligible to receive monthly cheques to take care of the child’s crucial needs. The same is applicable for those who have more than one child under their care.
What Cost-Saving Opportunities Are Available For Foster Parent?
Bringing up a child is not an easy task, therefore, the state tries as much as possible to lessen the burden for foster parents. Once in a while, the state provides tax breaks to foster parents as a way of showing support to them.
There are also programs available for foster parents that help to further lessen the burden by providing free basic amenities like clothing for foster homes.
Before you can register as a foster parent, one of the criteria is that you must have a stable source of income that is enough to cater to your family’s necessities. The reimbursement you get as a foster cannot serve as your main source of income.
What is the monthly cumulative amount you receive as a foster parent?
Some states like California pay as much as $1,000 to $2,609 per month as reimbursement to foster parents to help cater to the child’s basic needs.
When it comes to reimbursement for foster homes, California ranks among the highest paying states in the United States. The amount is for every single child you take under your care as a foster parent.
The $2,609 corresponds to the payment you receive for each child with special needs. In states like California, the state prescribes the minimum amount payable to foster parents.
However, agencies by their discretion can decide to pay higher to foster parents. For better information about reimbursement for foster homes, you can talk to a Foster family Agency.
Fostering children requires a lot of care and attention. Therefore, your duty as a foster parent is to shower these children with love, care, and attention.
Many of these children come from a background of physical, emotional, or even sexual abuse.
As such, they may develop complex emotional issues as a result of their experience. It is also not strange to find out that some of these children suffer from conditions like:
- Anxiety
- Autism
- Depression
- Physical disabilities
Therefore, these children may have issues acting their age and find it hard to respond appropriately to certain circumstances. Consequently, to qualify as a foster parent, you must be understanding, especially with children requiring special care.
Once children are placed under your care as foster parents, they will depend on you for almost everything. As such, you must do your best to ensure their comfort and wellbeing.
As foster parents, it is also necessary to register with a foster family agency. Many of them support their members both emotionally and financially. Their support can go a long way to ensure your success as a foster parent.
Also, keeping an open mind and learning more about becoming successful as a foster parent is essential. Learning better ways and acquiring new skills can help you better communicate with your foster child.
As much as raising a child can be tasking, it is also one of the most fulfilling duties you will embark on as a parent. There are foster parents you may decide to adopt their foster child or children later in life. Such parent is also entitled to small reimbursement for the child’s upkeep.
Opportunities For You as A Foster Parent In 2023(3 Reasons You Need to Consider Becoming a Foster Parent)
If you have ever considered becoming a foster parent, 2023 is the year. There is no doubt that 2020 was not the best year for everyone. Therefore, 2023 is the best opportunity to lend a helping hand as a foster parent. There are 3 reasons why you need to consider becoming a foster parent in 2023.
Below are the four reasons you should consider becoming a foster parent in 2023.
- The Need For Foster Parents Is On The Rise
COVID-19 had a lot of negative implications on the world with the United States badly hit. A good number of children still struggle with the effect of isolation and are in dire need of a care home.
The pandemic has made it more difficult to run a foster home today. Therefore, the need for foster parents is even higher.
- Becoming A Foster Parent Will Create a Deeper Sense of Belonging in You
Becoming a foster parent is a good way to feel a sense of community belonging. Interact with other like-minded people and expand your network by connecting to other foster parents. You will also join a community of other foster parents in the United States.
- Becoming a Foster Parent is Rewarding
As a foster parent, you are training a child and changing the world. Nothing is more rewarding than caring for a child who needs the care.
Bottom Line
Becoming a foster parent involves a lot of concentration, hard work, and sacrifice. Therefore, becoming a foster parent for the sake of money is not reasonable.
People who become foster parents should never consider money the right incentive to drive their passion. Rather, it is best to think of the joys they will add to the life of the child.
The real reward of foster parenting is making a vulnerable child feel safe. The reimbursement you receive is just a support to ensure that the needs of the child/children under your foster care are met.
Recommendation
