Resources for foster parents

DCF provides support, guidance, and practical tools to help foster parents navigate every stage of care with confidence and compassion.

What can I expect to be paid?

DCF sends payments twice per month to help you care for your foster children. You may also be eligible for extra money for special needs or situations.  Ask your worker. 

Age	Daily rate	Clothing allowance (quarterly)	Birthday allowance	Holiday allowance
Age 0-5	$35.11	$348.69	$100	$200
Age 6-12	$39.79	$359.65	$100	$200
Age 13+	$41.57	$432.67	$100	$200

Effective as of 7/1/2026

How do I get paid?

Foster parents need to complete a W-9 form to get paid.  Talk to your DCF Foster Family/Kinship Social Worker to learn more.  When you’re ready:

1. Complete and sign this W-9 form 
2. Email us the W-9 or mail it to 1 Ashburton Place, 3^rd Floor, Boston, MA 02108, ATTN:  DCF Accounting Unit

Want to get paid faster? DCF encourages foster parents to sign up for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) so payments can be automatically deposited into your bank account.  After you've filled out the W-9, please contact your worker to sign up.  It usually takes 2-4 weeks after you submit your W-9 to get paid.  If its been longer than that, please call [phone].

What else should I know about payments?

If you're caring for a child:

• Check out the Foster care payment schedule
• Visit FosterMA Connect to see details about payments made to you and learn about other reimbursements you may be eligible for.
• Submit a question to the Payment Help Line or contact them at [phone]

What health & support services could my foster child be eligible for?

• MassHealth - Every child in DCF foster care receives MassHealth coverage (you won't need to add your foster child to your insurance plan), including for doctor visits, dental care, prescription drugs, behavioral health services, and other important health care services.  When a child is placed with you, you’ll be given their MassHealth number right away, and then their physical card will be mailed to you.
• Medical Social Workers - Each DCF office has a medical social worker to help you schedule appointments, collect health information about your foster child (such as immunizations and past medical history), provide care coordination, work with MassHealth/other insurers, and ensure that they receive their prescribed medications. Ask you worker to get you in touch with yours.
• WIC - If you care for a child under 5, they are eligible for WIC, a nutrition program that provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals for healthcare and other services, free of charge.  Your (under 5) foster child qualifies for these benefits regardless of your family’s earnings. Apply for WIC.
• Free Lunch - All children in foster care are eligible for free lunch at their school. Eligibility has no connection to your family's income.  Ask your worker for help getting signed up.
• Child Care - Childcare and/or after school programs may be available if you are caring for a foster child up to age 13.  Talk to your worker to find out.
• Respite Care - Every foster parent is entitled to 10 respite days per year. Speak with your worker when you know you will be needing respite.

What other resources might help me care for my foster child?

• FosterMA Connect - An online community for foster parents where you can see information about children in your care (e.g. medical, educational, personal), their DCF team's contact info, meeting dates, discounts and benefits, training opportunities, detailed payment information, and more.  
• Foster Parent College – Interactive courses for families and child welfare professionals offered 24 hours a day to help improve the lives of children and youth in care through research-based, online training.  Courses about understanding the effects of trauma, addressing challenging behaviors, learning practical parenting strategies and more may also fulfill credit hours required for foster parent licensing and/or annual training.
• Wonderfund – Enrichment opportunities and access to emergency aid and transitional necessities for children receiving services from DCF. For more info, talk to your worker.
• Rise Above – Funds activity wishes for Massachusetts children in foster care, supporting access to enriching activities, opportunities and experiences that help contribute to a sense of comfort, normalcy and self-esteem. SIGN UP?
• Family Resource Centers - In each of Massachusetts’ 14 counties, these centers are places where people of all ages, incomes, and abilities are welcome, and where skilled and thoughtful professionals can help parents, children, and families find emotional support and practical assistance. At FRCCs families can find sensible solutions to issues of health, safety, education, and employment. Find the center closest to you.
• MSPCC Kid’s Net Program – [phone] - Services and supports for foster families, kinship families and pre-adoptive families including an after-hours helpline for issues that arise in the evening or on weekends, as well as access to overnight respite care (up to ten paid days/year), short-term child care, foster parent support groups and a wide range of training opportunities.
• Massachusetts Alliance for Families(MAFF) - An association of foster, adoptive, kinship and guardianship parents whoprovide support and advocacy for foster and adoptive families. All DCF foster parents are eligible and encouraged to join MAFF. Ask your worker for more information.
• Kinship Navigator Program – This Commonwealth program assists all kinship caregivers (grandparents and other relatives) with accessing services for themselves and the children they are raising.
• Grandparents Raising Grandchildren - Provides information, resources, advocacy, and supports to grandparents raising grandchildren, relative caregivers, and service providers throughout MA.  It helps connect caregivers with similar experiences across communities, serves as a liaison to government agencies regarding the unique interests of these types of caregivers, and more. 

Who can I call if I need help?

Massachusetts Child Abuse Emergency Line [phone]:  Emergencies can happen outside of DCF business hours or on weekends. The Massachusetts Child Abuse Emergency Line is available 24/7 for reporting emergencies such as a child running away or experiencing a medical or mental health crisis. We are here to help.

Kids Net Helpline [phone]: Staffed by DCF supervisors, the Kids Net Helpline can assist with solving problems and stabilizing challenging situations in the foster home. If a crisis occurs and you need additional support, the Kids Net Helpline Supervisor will contact the Massachusetts Child Abuse Emergency Line. 

The DCF Ombudsman [phone]: Is available is available to assist foster parents with any concerns related to agency programs, policies, or services.  Ask a question here or call and speak with the team, Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Legal & Advocacy Help -  The DCF Regional Legal team is here to help foster parents who may need to participate in court proceedings, such as receiving a subpoena to testify on behalf of children in their care. If you need assistance, please contact the support team in your region:

• Boston: [phone]
• Central: [phone]
• Northern: [phone]
• Southern: [phone]
• Western: [phone]