NH Foster Care Rates 2024: Complete Reimbursement Guide

Table of Contents#

1. What Are NH Foster Care Reimbursements?
2. 2024 Base Foster Care Reimbursement Rates
3. Specialized Foster Care Reimbursement Rates
4. Supplemental & One-Time Reimbursement Benefits
5. Eligibility Requirements for Reimbursements
6. How to Access NH Foster Care Reimbursements
7. Common Myths About NH Foster Care Reimbursements
8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
9. References

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What Are NH Foster Care Reimbursements?#

All reimbursements are administered by the NH Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Division of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) or licensed private foster care agencies. Funds are allocated per child (not per household), so you will receive separate payments for each foster child placed in your home.

Covered Expenses#

Base rates are designed to cover:

• Age-appropriate food, clothing, and personal hygiene products
• A proportional share of your household’s rent, mortgage, and utility costs for the child
• Routine local transportation for school, activities, and supervised family visits
• Basic school supplies and low-cost recreational activities
• Routine over-the-counter medical supplies

Non-Covered Expenses#

Reimbursements do not cover:

• Your personal household costs unrelated to the foster child
• Unplanned large expenses without prior approval from your caseworker
• Home modifications outside of designated accessibility grant programs

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2024 Base Foster Care Reimbursement Rates#

Base rates are adjusted annually in July to align with cost of living increases in New Hampshire. 2024 rates are as follows, calculated per child per month:

Base rates are paid for the full month even if the child is away for short visits with biological family, unless the child is out of your home for 10 or more consecutive days.

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Specialized Foster Care Reimbursement Rates#

Children with medical, behavioral, or developmental needs qualify for higher specialized reimbursement rates to cover extra care costs. Rates are determined based on a formal needs assessment completed by DCYF social workers and medical providers:

1. Therapeutic Level 1 (mild to moderate behavioral/developmental needs): $1,210 –$1,620 per month
2. Therapeutic Level 2 (moderate to severe behavioral/developmental needs, including autism spectrum disorder support): $1,705 –$2,240 per month
3. Therapeutic Level 3 (severe behavioral or trauma-related needs requiring 24/7 supervised care): $2,310 –$3,070 per month
4. Medically Fragile Care (children with chronic health conditions, disabilities, or complex medical needs requiring regular nursing support): $3,100 –$4,650 per month, based on care intensity

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Supplemental & One-Time Reimbursement Benefits#

In addition to base and specialized rates, foster parents can access the following targeted reimbursements:

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Eligibility Requirements for Reimbursements#

To qualify for any foster care reimbursement in New Hampshire, you must:

1. Hold a full, active foster care license from NH DCYF or a licensed private foster care agency
2. Have completed all required pre-service and annual ongoing training (12 hours per year)
3. Have a formal placement notice for the child in your home, issued by DCYF or your partner agency
4. Maintain a safe, compliant home environment as outlined in your licensing agreement

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How to Access NH Foster Care Reimbursements#

Follow these steps to receive your payments:

1. Finalize your foster care licensing process and receive official approval
2. When a child is placed in your home, your caseworker will share a child needs assessment and rate request form
3. Submit the completed form to your agency or DCYF fiscal department within 3 business days of placement
4. Your rate will be reviewed and approved within 10 business days
5. Reimbursements are deposited directly to your bank account either bi-weekly or monthly, depending on your agency’s policy
6. For supplemental benefits, submit a request form with supporting receipts to your caseworker for pre-approval before incurring costs when possible

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Common Myths About NH Foster Care Reimbursements#

Myth 1: Foster parents get paid to care for children#

Fact: Reimbursements are 100% designated for the foster child’s expenses. Surveys from the NH Foster Parent Association show that 78% of foster parents spend an extra $200–$350 per month out of pocket on extra activities, gifts, and unplanned costs for the children in their care.

Myth 2: All foster parents receive the same rate#

Fact: Rates are fully tied to the needs of the individual child, not the foster parent’s experience or household income. A child with complex medical needs will receive a far higher rate to cover their extra care costs than a healthy school-aged child.

Myth 3: Reimbursements are taxable income#

Fact: Licensed foster care reimbursements are classified as non-taxable income by the IRS, as long as funds are used for the foster child’s living expenses.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)#

Q: How often are NH foster care rates updated?#

A: DCYF reviews rates annually and adjusts them each July based on regional cost of living data and federal foster care guidelines.

Q: Do I still get reimbursed if the child stays with their biological family for a week?#

A: Yes, you will receive the full monthly base rate unless the child is out of your home for 10 or more consecutive days.

Q: Can I get reimbursed for therapy or extracurricular activity costs for my foster child?#

A: Yes, most therapy costs are covered by the child’s Medicaid plan, and extracurricular activity costs can be approved through the discretionary fund with advance notice to your caseworker.

Q: Do adoption subsidies follow the same rate structure?#

A: Adoption subsidies for children adopted from foster care are negotiated on a case-by-case basis, but they are often aligned with the specialized or base rate the child received while in foster care.

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References#

1. New Hampshire DHHS Division of Children, Youth, and Families. (2024). 2024 Foster Care Rate Manual. Retrieved from https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dcyf/foster-care/rates
2. Internal Revenue Service. (2024). Publication 525: Taxable and Nontaxable Income. Retrieved from https://www.irs.gov/publications/p525
3. New Hampshire Foster Parent Association. (2024). 2024 Foster Care Resource Guide. Retrieved from https://www.nhfpa.org/resources
4. U.S. General Services Administration. (2024). 2024 Standard Mileage Rates. Retrieved from https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/transportation-airfare-rates-pov-rates/privately-owned-vehicle-pov-mileage-rates