If you were in foster care in California on your 18th birthday, aging out does not mean losing support. The benefits for foster youth after 18 in California include staying in foster care until age 21 with monthly payments and housing, free Medi-Cal coverage until age 26, tuition waivers and grants for college, independent living services, and, for some, an infant supplement if you are parenting. Each program has its own rules, and most require you to sign paperwork or meet an activity requirement to keep the support flowing.
Staying in Foster Care Until 21
The Extended Foster Care (EFC) program is the main pathway. It was created by the California Fostering Connections to Success Act (AB 12) and lets eligible youth remain in the foster care system up to their 21st birthday.1California Department of Social Services. Extended Foster Care (AB 12) While in the program you are called a Non-Minor Dependent (NMD). You keep the legal rights of an adult and participate voluntarily, but you continue to receive foster care payments, housing, and case management.
To qualify, you must have been under a foster care placement order on your 18th birthday.1California Department of Social Services. Extended Foster Care (AB 12) After that, you need to be doing at least one of five things, and your worker verifies this every six months:
- Finishing high school or working toward an equivalent credential like a GED
- Enrolled in college or a vocational or trade school
- Working at least 80 hours per month
- Participating in a program designed to help you find a job or remove barriers to employment
- Unable to do any of the above because of a documented medical condition
Any combination of the first four counts.2California Legislative Information. California Code, Welfare and Institutions Code WIC 11403 So a part-time student working 25 hours a week can qualify on the combined basis even if neither activity alone would clear the bar.
Leaving EFC is not permanent. If you exit before turning 21 and decide you need the support again, you can re-enter by signing a Voluntary Re-entry Agreement and meeting one of the five conditions. Contact your former social worker, probation officer, or the local child welfare agency to start the process.1California Department of Social Services. Extended Foster Care (AB 12)
Monthly Payments
Financial support flows through the Aid to Families with Dependent Children-Foster Care (AFDC-FC) program. Who receives the check depends on where you live.
In a Supervised Independent Living Placement (SILP), the money goes to you. For the 2025–26 fiscal year, the basic SILP rate is $1,301 per month, which you use to cover rent, food, utilities, and other living costs.3California Department of Social Services. All County Letter 25-45 Foster Care Rates 2025-26 SILP is the only placement where the full payment lands in the youth’s hands.
In a Transitional Housing Placement for Non-Minor Dependents (THP-NMD), the housing provider receives the foster care payment to cover your housing, and you get a separate personal-needs stipend.
If you are a parent, you can receive an infant supplement of $900 per month for each child living with you, whether you are in a SILP or a THP-NMD placement.3California Department of Social Services. All County Letter 25-45 Foster Care Rates 2025-26
Foster care maintenance payments are generally not counted as taxable income under Internal Revenue Code Section 131, so you should not owe federal income tax on the monthly SILP check itself.4Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 26 USC 131 Certain Foster Care Payments If you also work a job, that wage income still counts.
Housing Options
California offers three main placements for young adults, ranging from mostly independent to more supervised.
Supervised Independent Living Placement
SILP gives you the most freedom. You can live in your own apartment, in shared housing, or in a college dormitory. The county has to approve and supervise the placement, but you choose the location and manage your own budget with the monthly payment.
Transitional Housing for Non-Minor Dependents
THP-NMD is run by a licensed transitional housing agency and provides supervised housing along with case management and supportive services. The housing itself can be a host family setting, a staffed apartment building, or an independent apartment leased by the provider.5California Department of Social Services. Transitional Housing Programs The idea is to build the skills you need to run a household on your own.
Transitional Housing Plus (THP-Plus)
THP-Plus is for young adults who have already left EFC. It provides subsidized housing and support services for up to 36 cumulative months, available until you turn 25, whichever comes first.5California Department of Social Services. Transitional Housing Programs The 36 months do not need to be consecutive, so you can use the benefit in stretches if your circumstances change.
Free Health Coverage Until 26
Former foster youth in California receive full Medi-Cal coverage until age 26. If you were in foster care on your 18th birthday, you qualify no matter what your income is, whether you work, or whether you ever enrolled in EFC.6California Department of Health Care Services. Former Foster Youth (FFY) Program
The transition into the Former Foster Youth (FFY) Medi-Cal category is supposed to be automatic when your foster care case closes. You should not need to reapply, submit income, or fill out extra forms; all income is disregarded and there is no resource test.7County of Santa Clara Social Services Agency. Extended Medi-Cal Eligibility for Former Foster Youth 18 to 26 Years of Age Coverage includes medical, dental, and vision care, preventive services, prescriptions, hospitalization, and mental health treatment. Many counties also offer Transitional Age Youth (TAY) mental health services designed for young adults leaving care.
If your Medi-Cal card stops working or you get a notice asking for income verification, contact your county eligibility office right away. The automatic transfer sometimes glitches, and resolving it early prevents a gap in coverage.
Paying for College
California layers several benefits that together can make higher education essentially free for former foster youth. They work best when used at the same time.
California College Fee Waiver
The California College Fee Waiver exempts eligible current and former foster youth from paying tuition and systemwide fees at California Community Colleges, CSU campuses, and UC campuses. Your campus financial aid office establishes eligibility based on your foster care status.
California Chafee Grant
The California Chafee Grant helps cover non-tuition costs like rent, books, transportation, and supplies. For the 2025–26 academic year, the maximum award is $4,500 per year, paid at $2,250 per semester or $1,500 per quarter.8California Student Aid Commission. California Chafee Grant for Foster Youth To qualify, you must have been in foster care for at least one day between ages 16 and 18, be enrolled at least half-time, and not have turned 26 before July 1 of the award year. You can receive the grant for up to five total years.9Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 42 USC 677 John H Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood
Funding is limited and first-come, first-served. Getting an award notice does not guarantee payment; your school still has to certify eligibility and request the funds, and unclaimed awards older than 30 days may be recycled.8California Student Aid Commission. California Chafee Grant for Foster Youth Apply early and stay in touch with the financial aid office.
FAFSA Independent Student Status
Anyone who was in foster care or a ward of the court at any point after turning 13 is classified as an independent student on the FAFSA.10Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 20 USC 1087vv Definitions That means you do not report parental income or assets, which typically leads to a much bigger aid package. For the 2026–27 award year, the maximum federal Pell Grant is $7,395, and Pell Grants do not have to be repaid.11Federal Student Aid. Don’t Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
If a financial aid office asks for proof of your foster care status, acceptable documents include court orders, letters from your county agency, verification of Chafee Grant eligibility, or a statement from a Court Appointed Special Advocate.
Campus Support Programs
Many California colleges run dedicated support programs for former foster youth. At CSU and UC campuses they are often called Guardian Scholars; at community colleges they may be called NextUp or CAFYES. These programs typically offer priority registration, one-on-one advising, emergency financial help, and book vouchers. Services vary, so ask your financial aid or student services office what is available on your campus.
Independent Living Program Services
Separate from the EFC monthly payment, California’s Independent Living Program (ILP) offers training and hands-on help. ILP is available to current and former foster youth from age 16 through the day before their 21st birthday, as long as they were in foster care at some point between ages 16 and 19.12California Department of Social Services. Independent Living Program (ILP)
Each county runs its own version, but services commonly include:
- Daily living skills like cooking, cleaning, and budgeting
- Money management and financial literacy
- Job readiness and employment help
- Tutoring and college preparation
- Housing search and rental assistance
If you are still in care, your worker will connect you to the ILP coordinator. If you have already exited, you can contact the child welfare office or probation department in the county where you live now or the county you left care from. The CDSS Transitional Age Youth Policy Unit can also help you find a local coordinator at TAYPolicy@dss.ca.gov.12California Department of Social Services. Independent Living Program (ILP)
If You Receive SSI, Prepare for the Age-18 Review
Foster youth who receive Supplemental Security Income for a disability face a redetermination when they turn 18. The Social Security Administration uses a different, generally stricter definition of disability for adults than for children, and historically about one-third of young people lose SSI at this review.
SSA will ask for information about your medical providers, treatments, medications, and school or work history. You can submit records yourself or ask SSA to gather them. Keep an organized list of every provider you see, along with medications and test results, so you are not scrambling when the notice arrives.
Losing SSI does not affect your eligibility for Extended Foster Care or Medi-Cal, but the monthly payment can be a significant part of your budget. If you receive SSI as a minor in care, ask your social worker or ILP coordinator early about connecting with a disability rights organization that can help with the review.