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Life change guide

I'm aging out of foster care

Free help with health coverage, food, and education when you leave foster care. Learn what programs you may qualify for.

Where to start

Aging out of foster care is a big transition. You're moving toward independence, and there are programs that can help you get on your feet.

Many young people leaving foster care qualify for benefits like food assistance, health coverage, and education grants. These programs are free to apply for—only the agency decides if you qualify.

You may also have access to programs specifically for youth aging out of foster care, depending on your state. Some states offer extra help with housing, job training, or education.

This guide walks you through the main benefits to look into. Start with health coverage, then food assistance, then education funding. You can apply for all of these at the same time.

Do these first

  1. 1

    Apply for Medicaid health coverage

    Medicaid is free or low-cost health coverage. You can apply at any time of year through your state Medicaid agency or through HealthCare.gov. In many states, young adults up to age 26 who age out of foster care automatically qualify for Medicaid for a set period. Check with your state to see what applies to you.

    About Medicaid
  2. 2

    Apply for SNAP food assistance

    SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) gives you monthly benefits on an EBT card to buy food. You can apply through your state's SNAP office. If your income is low, you likely qualify. It's free to apply.

    About SNAP
  3. 3

    Look into education grants

    If you're planning to go to college or trade school, apply for a Federal Pell Grant. This is free money for school that you don't have to pay back. You apply through your school's financial aid office or through studentaid.gov.

    About Pell Grant
  4. 4

    Ask about youth-specific programs in your state

    Many states have programs just for young people aging out of foster care. These might help with housing, job training, education, or other needs. Contact your local foster care agency or visit your state's website to learn what's available to you.

  5. 5

    Gather documents and apply

    When you're ready to apply, you'll need documents like proof of income, residency, and identity. Start with whichever program feels most urgent. You can apply for multiple programs at once. Keep copies of everything you submit.

Programs that can help

SNAPUSDA Food and Nutrition ServiceSNAP gives monthly benefits on an EBT card to help households with low income buy food.MedicaidCenters for Medicare & Medicaid ServicesMedicaid is free or low-cost health coverage run by each state with federal funding, for children, adults, pregnant people, older adults and people with disabilities.Pell GrantUS Department of EducationThe Federal Pell Grant helps undergraduate students with financial need pay for college. Unlike a loan, it usually does not have to be repaid.

Offers that can help

Services from our partners. You never need a paid service to apply for benefits.

Advertiser disclosure
We may earn a commission when you use partner links. Partners never affect which programs we show, how we rank them, or our editorial content. How we make money

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