How Much Do Foster Parents Get Paid?

This change will be well spent.

It takes a lot of money to raise a child. According to Jacob Goldstein in an article published on NPR's website, it costs $222,360. Luckily, if you decide to foster a child, the government will pay you for your service.

Function

Foster parents are provided a stipend to assist in the financial burden of raising a child. This money should cover all of the bare necessities, as well as something extra so that a foster child can participate in all family activities.

Benefits

According to fosterparenting.com, foster children are eligible for free school lunches and assistance through WIC (a federally-funded health and nutrition program for women, infants and children), which pays for basic nutritional needs.

Geography

Foster parent pay is state-regulated, so the rate of pay varies greatly in different parts of the country. According to fosterparenting.com, most states have daily reimbursement rates.

References

• NPR: Planet Money: It Costs $222,360 to Raise a Child
• Foster Care Rates
• Fosterparenting.com Money Considerations Financial Reimbursement

Resources

• The National Voice of Foster Parents