Housing
Finding a place to live after foster care
Your housing options after care, including FYI rent vouchers for ages 18–24 and how to ask your local housing authority.
Open the housing guideFree how-to guides for young people
Short, step-by-step guides for young people in or leaving foster care. They're made by FosterClub, a national nonprofit run with young people who have been in care. Each button opens the guide on their site — free, and no account needed to read it.
Housing emergency
If you're losing housing or homeless
What to do right now: call 211, find a nearby shelter, and — if you're under 18 — reach the 24/7 National Runaway Safeline at 1-800-786-2929.
Open the emergency housing guideHealth care
Free Medicaid until age 26
If you were in foster care at 18, you can usually get free Medicaid until your 26th birthday. How to apply and keep it renewed.
Open the health care guideFood
SNAP food benefits
What SNAP is, recent changes to know about, and how to apply for food benefits.
Open the SNAP guideDocuments
Birth certificate, Social Security card and ID
Why you need your vital documents, how to ask your caseworker for them, and what to do if you left care without them.
Open the documents guideCollege & training
ETV: money for college or trade school
The Education and Training Voucher helps pay for college, trade or vocational programs if you aged out or left care after 16, including after adoption or guardianship.
Open the ETV guideYour rights
Your rights in foster care
Your right to safety, a stable home, a say in court, and help getting ready for adulthood — plus who to go to if something isn't right.
Open the rights guideWords to know
Foster care glossary
Plain-language meanings of words you'll hear, like case plan, CASA, Chafee and Independent Living Program.
Open the glossaryNeed help near you? Search by ZIP code. In danger right now? Get crisis help, call 911, or call or text 988.