HOW MUCH MONEY AM I ELIGIBLE FOR UNDER KIN-GAP?
Question: If my youth is eligible for Kin-GAP, how much money can I receive for support?
Answer: Basically, you can receive the amount the child would have been eligible for in foster care. Most of the time, this
will be equal the basic foster care rate. However, in some circumstances, the youth in your care may be eligible for
additional funds if special circumstances are met.
Q: What special circumstances will allow me to obtain additional funds?
A: There are three main situations in which you are eligible for additional Kin-GAP funds.
1. Your youth has special needs that qualify him/her for a specialized care increment.
2. Your youth is a parent and his/her child lives in your home. But, the youth’s child cannot also be receiving foster
care benefits.
3. Your youth is a Regional Center consumer.
Q: My youth is a parent. Can you tell me about available funds?
A: If you are the guardian of a teen parent and his/her baby lives in your home, but does not receive foster care benefits,
you may be eligible for the following benefits:
 The “Infant Supplement” provides an additional $411 per month.
 Becoming a “Whole Family Foster Home” requires certification. You must receive special training to help the
youth develop successful parenting skills. If you are certified, the “Infant Supplement” is increased to the basic
foster care rate based on the age of the baby.
 You and the teen parent can complete a “Shared Responsibility Plan,” which is a written agreement explaining
how you and the youth will care for the baby. If you complete this plan, you can receive an additional $200 per
month.
Q: How can I determine whether my youth has special needs?
A: If your youth has special needs, he/she may be eligible for a “Specialized Care Increment.” Whether or not your youth
qualifies depends on the rules of the county. You can use the rules in the county where you currently live or the county
responsible for your Kin-GAP payments. If you qualify under both, you can choose the higher amount. For information on
eligibility, contact the child welfare agency in your county or visit http://www.childsworld.ca.gov/ PG1649.htm.
Q: Tell me more about my youth’s eligibility as a Regional Center consumer.
A: If your youth is a Regional Center consumer, “Dual Agency Rates” may apply. There are two main ways you might
qualify as a Regional Center consumer.
1. Your youth has a developmental disability and receives Regional Center Services. This requires an Individualized
Family Service Plan (IFSP) and a Regional Center Case Manager.
2. Your youth is under the age of 3 and is participating in an “Early Intervention Program.”
Q: How can I make sure my youth receives the maximum benefits under Kin-GAP?
A: At least every two years, you will meet with your child welfare agency, probation department, or Indian tribe and
negotiate your Kin-GAP benefits. You can request an earlier meeting by contacting the child’s former social worker or the
county child welfare agency if something has changed. Remember, you are eligible for the amount your youth would have
been eligible for in foster care, even if you were not previously receiving this amount. You should also make sure to
discuss issues such as the “Specialized Care Increment,” “Dual Agency Rates,” “Infant Supplement,” “Whole Family
Foster Home,” and “Shared Responsibility Plan,” which is discussed above.
For more information on The Alliance, please visit www.kids-alliance.org or call (213) 368-6010.