QUESTION: I live in a foster home. How much allowance should I get?ANSWER: There is no set amount of allowance that a young person living in a foster home should receive. The law says that a foster child is supposed to receive an allowance "appropriate to his or her age."
Agencies have different policies about what amount of allowance is appropriate. Some agencies have no written policies. The foster children must "negotiate" with the foster parent(s) to decide on the amount of the allowance. Your social worker should make sure that the amount you decide on is fair to both sides. Other agencies let the foster parent(s) decide the amount. But some agencies do have written policies that say how much foster parents are supposed to give, with the amount depending on the child's age. One agency give the following amounts:
Age Amount per week 3-4 .50 5-8 3.00 9-12 5.00 13-15 7.00 16 + 10.00 If you are not getting allowance form your foster parent(s) or if you feel you are not getting a fair amount, talk to your foster parent(s). You can also call your social worker and tell her the problem. You have the right to receive an allowance. Call the legal Rights Hotline (212-675-6181) if you want help. Leave a message and we'll call you back.
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NYS Citizens' Coalition for Children, Inc.
410 East Upland Road • Ithaca, NY 14850
607-272-0034 • fax 607-272-0035
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