Youth eligible for the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families’ (DCYF) Independent Living (IL) program can now receive additional assistance from their local IL provider. The Supporting Foster Youth and Families Through the Pandemic Act provides temporary assistance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and public health emergency. One of the provisions included in the act is additional funding under the Chafee Program to assist current and former foster youth with critical services and financial needs.
Washington State IL Eligibility Criteria:
- Youth was a dependent of Washington State through DCYF or under a tribal child welfare agency with an out-of-home placement for at least 30 days between the ages of 15-18, or
- Youth is now a resident of Washington State and would have been eligible for these supports through their home state but were unable to access them due to no longer living in that state.
Youth ages 15-17 should reach out to DCYF’s IL program for next steps, and youth ages 18-22 should reach out to local IL providers for next steps.
Assistance is also available to youth ages 23-26 who were eligible for IL services before they turned age 23. These services are time-limited and disbursed in partnership with Treehouse. These youth need to submit their applications on or before Sept. 24, 2021.
Read DCYF’s fact sheet to learn more.