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TN STIMULUS FOR FOSTER YOUTH APPLICATION IS LIVE- VISIT THE DEPT OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES WEBSITE TO APPLY BY 7/31
Tax Preparation for Transition Aged Youth
Many current and former foster youth may qualify for the general pandemic stimulus payments (Economic Impact Payments), the Earned Income Tax Credit, or Child Tax Credit, but did not receive them, due to not filing taxes. The below document includes information to help youth and advocates with filling out their taxes.
EIPS_CTC_EITC_Youth_June 29.docxOther Resources for Youth
Remember: youth placed in foster care through the juvenile justice system are considered foster youth for the purpose of benefits eligibility.
Did you know that current and former foster youth are eligible for extra help to pay for college?
Youth under 24 who were in foster care after the age of 16, and with a 2.0 GPA may be eligible for the Chafee ETV Grant or Tennessee Bright Futures Scholarship, which give up to $5,000 per year to attend college. More info about eligibility requirements is in this publication.
Youth who were in care after the age of 17 may be eligible for the Hope Foster Child Tuition Grant. More information about eligibility requirements is here.
Due to the pandemic relief bill, the maximum award for Chafee ETV is $12,000, and former foster youth under the age of 27 are eligible for assistance. If you are a former foster youth under the age of 27 and you think you are eligible for Chafee ETV, make sure to note on your stimulus application that you are interested in Chafee ETV, and/or contact Independent Living and/or email dave.shonts@tn.gov as soon as possible; youth over 23 may no longer be eligible after Sept 30, 2021.
FinancialAidandScholarships.pdf
Youth who have aged out of foster care are eligible for TennCare until the age of 26! Youth are eligible if they were in a foster care placement on their 18th birthday. This includes youth who were in the juvenile justice system in group homes, and relative placements, but not youth who were in a Youth Development Center (YDC) on their 18th birthday. Note that DCS will sometimes move a youth from a YDC to a different placement on or right before their 18th birthday, which would make that youth eligible. If you were in a YDC as a teenager, but later received information about Extended Foster Care, that is a good sign that you are eligible.
Check back for an informational flyer on TennCare for foster youth. Youth can start their application here, and can contact the Tennessee Justice Center if they need assistance with the application.
Youth, including youth currently attending college, may be eligible for food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). More info about eligibility is available here.
SNAP-for-College-Students-Brochure-Oct2019-1.pdfServices_Available_under_TN_DCS_IL.pdfGeneral information about services offered through TN DCS Independent Living is here. Please note that this resource is a few years old and may not reflect the most updated information. If you are a youth who is not currently receiving services, but is interested in learning more, you should contact your regional independent living coordinator. You can also visit TN DCS's Independent Living website for more information.
The content on this website has been collected by Vanderbilt Law School's Youth Opportunity Clinic and Youth Law Center. It is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
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