Living with Biological Parents When Aging Out of Foster Care

Some youth in foster care plan to return to their biological parents or the person CPS removed them from when they were placed in foster care. Sometimes CPS even places the youth there before they turn 18.

You are in foster care as long as CPS has custody of you, regardless of where you stay. However, if the judge grants custody of you to your biological parent(s) or someone else, or allows someone to adopt you before you turn 18, you will no longer be in foster care. This change can make you ineligible for some benefits. It is complicated and is something you should talk about in great detail with your PAL staff, attorney, CASA, and judge if you are considering leaving foster care before you turn 18.

Even if you age out of foster care, if you live with a biological parent or the person you were removed from by CPS, your Transitional Living Allowance and Aftercare Room and Board might not be paid if CPS is concerned the person you live with is a threat to your health and safety. CPS does not want to give money to someone who is mistreating you.