Is foster adoption really free?

Question

I remember reading this somewhere & I wasn't sure whether it was true or not. Are there no fees or anything?

Answer 1

I am adopting through the foster system in Los Angeles. It is completely free and they actually pay you once a month, about $460. until the child is 18 years old, even after the adoption! This was a total surprise to me. I would have adopted our child, even if I had to pay. However, here in Los Angeles once a child is in the "system" they considered that child hard to place and thus offer incentives.

They also get college paid for when they are ready to attend and MediCal  (medical insurance) until they are 18.  Even if you have that child on your own insurance, MediCall will cover the co-pay and if your insurance does not cover something completly you can use Medical to cover the remaining balance.

They also have free post-adoption services and workshops that you can attend.

The foster system does have it's problems, but so far it has worked for us.

Answer 2

It's no longer "free" in Pennsylvania.

Homestudy is $1,500 - 2,500

Criminal background checks are $150

Child Abuse clearances $75

Too many people were taking advantage of the free homestudy's at taxpayer expense.

Following the program and paying for your own homestudy is a clear indication that you are serious about fostering.

Answer 3

We are adopting through foster care, and so far, the only money we have paid has been our choice (and not a good one at that).  We chose to have our homestudy done by an agency, and use that agency as an intermediary between us and DHS, thinking that the agency would have the time to work with us, and therefore we wouldn't be waiting as long as we would have with DHS.  If DHS had done our homestudy, we would not have had any out of pocket expenses to date.  We might have to pay for a lawyer, but someone on here said that they completed and filed all their own paperwork for $35.  I'd like to see if that's a possibility in our state or if we are required to use a lawyer.

But yeah, for the most part, it's free.

Answer 4

Yes... technically foster to adopt is free. You will receive a monthly stipend while you are fostering that is supposed to help with covering food, clothing, room and board etc. But, make no mistake this isn't a huge sum of money to supplement your income. Typically, you have to go through training and a child is placed with you. Fostering is a unique and hard thing to do, but SO rewarding. At times it might take up to two years depending on if the parents rights are terminated and how long the appeal process is. It may be free, but you also have to have the heart and passion for a long waiting process. Sometimes people get lucky and it doesn't take long and others get children and have to give them back after raising them a year. I encourage you to contact your local social services department and inquire about more information as it differs from locality to locality and state to state. Good-luck!!

Answer 5

It can vary with each state, but yes, in most cases it is totally free.  Yes, I do know, because I have adopted through the state of MO and it was free.  They paid for the attourny, court costs, and everything inbetween.  There are a lot of kids in foster care and they will do almost anything to help them find homes.  It is actually cheaper to pay for the adoption than the care of these kids in the "system".  

Check with your state cause all of them vary because they are state laws and not federal, but it  can be  wonderful...

Answer 6

Well, there are fees, but nothing compared to a regular adoption! They are reduced because they want those kids out of the 'system'! Good luck. Go to your local office and research it for your state.

Go get a kid. I'm excited for you! I"m sick of folks going overseas to get babies when there are so many in the U.S.!

Answer 7

In Ontario we have paid 0 dollars for adoption included any legal fees.  We did pay to buid a playroom though :0)