How Much Do Foster Parents Get Paid in Illinois?

If you are considering foster care, the financial side of the conversation matters. Asking how much foster parents get paid is one of the most common questions we hear at Let It Be Us, and it deserves a straightforward answer. You should not feel uncomfortable for asking. Understanding the financial picture helps you plan realistically and make an informed decision for your family and the child or children who will be in your care.

Here is what you need to know upfront: foster care payments in Illinois are not a salary, and they are not designed to replace income. The monthly board payments you receive from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) are meant to help cover a child’s basic living expenses. With that context in place, let’s walk through the actual numbers, additional supports, tax implications, and what experienced foster families say about the financial reality.

How Foster Care Payments Work in Illinois

If you search "foster parent salary in Illinois" online, you may see job sites reporting annual salary figures that suggest foster parenting is a traditional paid job. Those figures are misleading. Sites that aggregate salary data pull from a mix of employment listings and paid foster care positions that do not reflect how the state’s foster care system actually works for the vast majority of families.

In Illinois, DCFS provides a monthly board payment to foster parents for each child placed in their home. This payment is not a wage or salary. It is meant to help cover the child’s daily living costs, from meals and clothing to housing and transportation. The amount depends primarily on the child’s age, with older children receiving a slightly higher rate [1].

You receive one payment per child. If you are caring for siblings, each child generates a separate monthly payment. The payments begin once a child is placed in your home and continue as long as the placement lasts.

Illinois Foster Care Board Rates by Age

DCFS sets monthly board rates by age band, and the rates apply statewide regardless of which county you live in. DCFS can adjust these rates without advance notice, so the most reliable way to know the current amount is to go straight to the source. Use the table below to understand how the payment is structured, then confirm current dollar amounts with DCFS or your licensing agency before making financial plans [1].

These are the base rates for traditional foster care. Specialized and therapeutic placements follow a different, higher rate structure, which we cover in the next section. DCFS publishes current board rate figures in its policy documents [1], and your licensing agency can walk you through the most recent numbers.

One important note: while board rates are uniform across Illinois, the Standard of Need (a separate calculation DCFS uses for certain programs) does vary by county group. Cook County and the Chicago metro area fall into Group I, mid-tier counties into Group II, and rural counties into Group III. The board rate stays the same no matter where you live.

Types of Foster Care and How Payments Differ

Illinois supports several foster care pathways, and each one carries a different payment structure. The type of care a child needs directly affects what foster parents receive.

For specialized and therapeutic foster care, payments can range considerably. Agencies that contract with DCFS may offer an additional daily stipend on top of the regular board rate for moderate needs, and high-need therapeutic placements typically pay substantially more, depending on the agency and the specific contract terms [2]. Because these rates are set by individual agencies rather than a single statewide schedule and can change over time, it is worth asking your licensing agency directly about their current specialized rate structure.

Additional Financial Support for Foster Families in Illinois

The monthly board rate is only part of the picture. DCFS authorizes a range of additional supports to help cover costs that go beyond daily living expenses [2]:

• Medical coverage. Children in foster care receive full health coverage through Illinois YouthCare, including medical and dental care as well as behavioral health services. Foster parents do not pay for these services out of their board payments.
• Clothing allowances. DCFS provides funding for initial placement clothing and personal hygiene items when a child first enters your home. Replacement clothing allowances are also available on a recurring basis.
• Financial assistance for new foster parents. First-time foster families may receive financial help with startup costs, including infant equipment like cribs and car seats for younger children.
• Education expenses. The state covers books and school rental fees, school supplies, gym shoes, tutoring and summer school fees, graduation expenses, and school trip costs.
• Cultural enrichment. Payments are available for recreational and artistic lessons, musical instrument rentals, and recreational membership fees so children in care can participate in activities alongside their peers.
• Travel and transportation. Reimbursement may be provided for travel to court appearances, medical appointments, visits with biological family members, and transportation to maintain a child’s school of origin.
• Respite care. Foster parents can access temporary relief through respite care, where another approved caregiver looks after the child for a short period.
• Day care services. Subsidized or covered day care may be available for younger children in foster care, depending on the circumstances of the placement.

For a full breakdown of what specific expenses look like for Illinois foster families, our guide on foster care expenses in Illinois covers the topic in more detail.

Are Foster Care Payments Taxable?

This is one of the questions foster parents ask most often, and the answer is generally good news. Foster care board payments from a state agency are typically not considered taxable income [3]. Because the payments are meant to help cover a child’s living expenses rather than compensate for work, most foster families do not report them as income on their federal or state tax returns.

There are also potential tax benefits. If a child placed through a state agency or court order lives in your home for more than half the year, you may be able to claim that child as a dependent. This could qualify your family for the Child Tax Credit or the Earned Income Tax Credit, depending on your overall tax situation [3].

Every family’s circumstances are different, so it is wise to speak with a tax professional who can review your specific situation. The general rule, though, is that foster care payments themselves are not taxed.

Support for Youth Aging Out of Foster Care in Illinois

Financial support does not end when a young person in care reaches adulthood. Illinois offers several programs designed to help youth continue their education and build stability through age 26 [4]:

• Education and Training Voucher (ETV). This federal program helps cover education-related costs and is available to youth in care, those who aged out at 18 or older, and those who entered adoption or guardianship from care at age 16 or older. The annual cap is set federally and can change; your licensing agency or DCFS can share the current amount.
• DCFS Scholarship Program. This program offers a full tuition and fee waiver at Illinois public colleges and universities, along with a monthly board payment and continued access to the Illinois medical card. Applications open January 1 and close March 31 each year.
• Tuition and Fee Waivers. Youth from foster care in Illinois can receive a separate tuition and fee waiver at any public, in-state college or university. Room and board are not included under this waiver, but it covers the cost of tuition and mandatory fees.

These programs reflect a broader commitment to making sure young people who grew up in care have the resources they need to succeed after placement ends.

What Foster Parents Say About the Financial Reality

The numbers on paper tell part of the story. What experienced foster parents consistently share is that the board payments help, but they rarely cover everything.

When a child arrives at your home, often with little notice and few belongings, the initial costs add up quickly. Clothing and shoes, toiletries and bedding, and age-appropriate supplies for school or childcare may all need to be purchased in the first few days. The first DCFS payment does not arrive immediately, so foster families frequently cover those early expenses out of pocket.

Beyond the first placement, many foster parents describe spending their own money on things that fall outside the covered categories: sports registration fees, field trips, holiday gifts, and the small everyday items that make a child feel like part of the family. The board rate covers basics. It was designed to, and it does. But raising a child involves more than basics.

The reason families continue to foster is not the payment. It is the chance to provide a stable, safe home during some of the most difficult moments in a child’s life. The financial support makes it possible. The relationship is what makes it worthwhile.

How to Get Started as a Foster Parent in Illinois

If you are ready to learn more, the process of becoming a licensed foster parent in Illinois typically takes about 8 to 9 months. Here is a brief overview of what to expect:

1. Attend an informational session. Organizations like Let It Be Us offer free webinars and events where you can ask questions and learn about the process with no pressure or commitment. Explore upcoming opportunities at letitbeus.org/events.
2. Choose a licensing agency. Let It Be Us can help you identify the right foster care licensing agency based on your location, preferences, and the type of care you are interested in. We provide guidance during the exploration and pre-licensing phase.
3. Complete PRIDE training. Illinois requires 30+ hours of training, which is completed entirely online through either a webinar format or self-paced modules.
4. Finish your home study and background checks. Your licensing agency will coordinate these steps as part of the approval process.
5. Complete required training, including LGBTQIA+ affirming care. This training is required for all foster parents in Illinois, regardless of the foster care pathway you choose.

Let It Be Us is here to walk alongside you during the earliest part of this process, helping you decide whether fostering is the right fit and connecting you with the agency that matches your goals. If you are also considering adoption through foster care, we support that pathway too.

Complete this form to begin your journey. Your foster care journey can start today.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do foster parents get paid per child in Illinois?

DCFS pays foster parents a set monthly amount for every child placed in their home, with the amount based on the child’s age. Teens receive the highest base rate, school-age children a middle tier, and infants and toddlers the lowest. DCFS sets the specific dollar amounts and can adjust them without advance notice, so confirm current rates with DCFS or your licensing agency. Each child generates a separate payment, so fostering siblings means receiving multiple payments.

Can you foster if you rent in Illinois?

Yes. You do not need to own your home to become a foster parent in Illinois. Renters can qualify as long as the home meets safety and space requirements during the home study process.

Do foster parents get paid for respite care?

Yes. Foster parents who provide temporary respite care for another foster family may receive a per diem payment for the days the child is in their care. Respite care gives primary foster parents a short break while ensuring the child stays in a safe, approved environment.

How much do therapeutic foster parents get paid in Illinois?

Therapeutic foster care rates vary by agency and the level of need. In general, these placements pay significantly more than the standard board rate, with agencies offering additional daily stipends on top of the base amount. Contact your licensing agency for specific rate information.

Do foster parents in Illinois get a clothing allowance?

Yes. DCFS provides a clothing and personal hygiene allowance when a child is first placed in your home, plus ongoing replacement allowances. These are separate from the regular board rate and are intended to cover seasonal clothing, school wardrobes, and personal items.

What disqualifies you from being a foster parent in Illinois?

Certain criminal convictions may disqualify applicants, including offenses involving violence, sexual crimes, or child abuse. DCFS conducts background checks on all household members. Beyond criminal history, factors like untreated substance abuse issues or an unsafe living environment may also affect eligibility. Visit our FAQ page for more details on requirements.

References

[1] Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. "CFS 578-5: Standard of Need vs. Foster Care Board Rate." Illinois DCFS. https://dcfs.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/dcfs/documents/about-us/policy-rules-and-forms/documents/cfs-500/cfs-578-5-comparison-standard-of-need-vs-foster-care-board-rate.pdf

[2] Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. "DCFS Procedures 359: Authorized Child Care Payments." Illinois DCFS, April 30, 2024. https://dcfs.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/dcfs/documents/about-us/policy-rules-and-forms/documents/procedures/procedures-359.pdf

[3] The Up Center. "How Much Do Foster Families Get Financially?" The Up Center, September 23, 2025. https://theupcenter.org/foster-care/how-much-do-foster-families-get-financially/

[4] Foster Progress. "Financial Aid for Foster Youth in Illinois: DCFS Programs." Foster Progress. https://www.foster-progress.org/financial-aid-for-foster-youth-in-illinois-dcfs-programs