Benefits and Eligibility

If the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) has temporary or permanent managing conservatorship (or custody) of a young person, then they are in foster care.

You are in foster care if you are:

  • a CWOP (Child Without a Placement)
  • a runaway from placement
  • in juvenile/adult jail or prison
  • staying in a foster home
  • staying with family or friends
  • staying in another state
  • staying in a hospital
  • staying in a residential treatment center
  • staying in an unlicensed or unpaid placement
  • staying on the street or on a couch

Why it matters if you are in foster care when you turn 18
If DFPS has temporary or permanent custody of you when you turn 18, then you will age out of foster care. Only then will you be eligible for certain benefits that can help you transition to living on your own.

Extended foster care for ages 18-20
As long as you’re under 21, if you want to stay in foster care after you turn 18 then you need to sign an Extended Foster Care Agreement. Signing it does not mean you must stay in foster care until you turn 21.

Extended foster care and supervised independent living (SIL). If a licensed placement is available or if an SIL program accepts your application, you can stay in extended foster care until your 21st birthday. If you are still in high school or in a GED program, you can stay in foster care until the last day of the month of your 22nd birthday.

Transition and financial support services. You have access to ongoing case management from a local service provider to help you find a place to live, apply for jobs, apply to college, and plan for your future.

Transitional living allowance (TLA). If you completed your Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) classes and are living independently, you can ask your PAL worker to help you request up to $1,000 (max $500/month). You must be working, applying for jobs, or going to school to qualify.

Aftercare room and board (ARB). If you are having trouble paying rent, bills, or buying groceries or need money for deposits for housing and utilities, you can ask for help to pay those expenses (up to $3,000 max, $500/month).

Former Foster Care Child (FFCC) Medicaid. If you were in foster care and were receiving foster care Medicaid when you turned 18, you are entitled to Medicaid benefits until your 26th birthday. If you were in jail or prison and therefore not receiving foster care Medicaid when you turned 18, you can apply for Medicaid for Transitioning Foster Care Youth (MTFCY), which you can receive until your 21st birthday.

College Tuition and Fee Waiver. The State of Texas will waive all tuition and fees for any public Texas college, university, or training program. The following people are eligible:

  • Most youth who were adopted from foster care
  • Youth who were in foster care and the court granted custody to a non-parent
  • Youth who were in permanent CPS care at age 14 or older and youth in temporary CPS care at age 16

To obtain a copy of your tuition waiver, contact your PAL staff or adoption assistance worker

Education and Training Voucher (ETV). Receive up to $5,000 a year to help pay for certain expenses related to your college education, including housing, utilities, food, and childcare. ETV funds will only cover your school’s cost of attendance after all other financial aid is applied. Students may receive ETV funds until the age 23. You are eligible if you are:

  • a young adult who aged out of foster care
  • a young adult who was adopted or subject to a Permanency Care Assistance (PCA) agreement at age 16 or older

Apply for ETV here.

Housing Vouchers. Apply for the Foster Youth to Independence (FYI), or Family Unification Program (FUP) housing vouchers to help pay for housing costs. The vouchers may be used for up to 3 years as long as you remain eligible. You are eligible if you are a young adult aged 18-24 who spent at least one hour in CPS care. To apply contact your DFPS housing liaison.