Young people between the ages of 18-27 who were previously in foster care may be eligible for COVID-19 financial relief– and some can choose to re-enter foster care.
South Dakota Department of Social Services Secretary Laurie Gill says the department’s Independent Living Program is set to receive more than $1.5 million in federal pandemic funding to help meet these needs. The money is intended to protect and support youth and young adults currently in or formerly in foster care.
She says young people who left foster care due to age during the pandemic may be eligible to receive financial assistance based on their individual needs. Youth who either have or plan to transition out of foster care due to age during the Covid-19 pandemic can choose to re-enter foster care, which includes case management and placement assistance if necessary.
Gill says after transitioning out of foster care, many young people lack access to financial resources including stable housing and income that may be available to youth living with intact families.
For more information call 605-791-6733 or visit the Independent Living Program page at dss.sd.gov/childprotection/independentlivingprogram.
She says anyone who thinks they may be eligible should contact a Community Resource Person at one of three regional Lutheran Social Services offices across the state. LSS contracts with DSS to assist youth with the transition from foster care to living independently. The CRP can answer questions and determine eligibility.
Foster care refers to youth who were in the custody of the Department of Social Services while living with a relative, foster family, group home, residential treatment program, emergency shelter or supervised independent living. For the purposes of this financial relief, the pandemic is considered to be October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2021.
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