Adoption Support Program benefits automatically end on the youth's 18th birthday unless, before their 18th birthday, the adoptive parent requests an extension of benefits.
If your child was adopted before their 16th birthday
Youth who were adopted before their 16th birthday can qualify for an extension if they are still in full-time high school and continue to receive financial support from their adoptive parents. To submit a request for an extension of their benefits, you must send your Adoption Support Consultant the following documents before the youth’s 18th birthday:
- DCYF Form 15-412 completed by the adoptive parents
- Documentation of any current disabilities your youth has, as indicated on form 15-412.
- DCYF Form 07-115 completed by the youth's school program personnel.
Once these have been submitted, your program consultant will review it and let you know whether an extension has been approved.
Important Reminders
It is your responsibility to let the Adoption Support Program know if there are any changes to your child's situation after an extension is approved.
Some examples of changes you are required to report include:
- Your child no longer attending full-time high school
- Your child moving out of your home
- Applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for your child
- Your child entering the military
- Your child getting married
Under no circumstances can Adoption Support be extended for a youth beyond their 21st birthday, even if they remain in a full-time high school program beyond that date.
Updated verification of your youth's high school enrollment can be requested by your Adoption Support Program Consultant at any time. They must verify enrollment at least annually, but verification may be requested more frequently in some situations.
For youth adopted prior to their 16th birthday, Adoption Support benefits can't be extended through college.
If a youth is not eligible for an extension of Adoption Support at their 18th birthday, they can't re-apply for Adoption Support to be re-opened later, even if they meet criteria at that time.
Please contact your Adoption Support Program Consultant for any case-specific questions.
If your child was adopted after their 16th birthday
Youth who were adopted from foster care on or after their 16th birthday may be able to qualify for the Extended Adoption Support Program and continue to receive their Adoption Support benefits through their 21st birthday. To qualify for the Extended Adoption Support Program the youth must:
- Continue to receive financial support from their adoptive parents, and
- Be participating in at least one of the following qualifying activities:
- Enrolled in a high school program
- Enrolled in a post-secondary academic or vocational program
- Participating in a job training program
- Working more than 80 hours per month; or
- Unable to participate in any of the above activities due to a documented medical condition
To apply for the Extended Adoption Support Program, and continue to receive Adoption Support benefits after their 18th birthday, qualifying youth should send the Adoption Support Program Consultant the following documents before their 18th birthday:
- DCYF Form 14-545 – completed by both the youth and adoptive parents, and
- Documentation of their participation in a qualifying activity
Once this documentation has been submitted, your Program Consultant will review it. If you qualify, they will send you an agreement to sign for the Extended Adoption Support Program.
Important Reminders
Youth who were adopted after their 16th birthday have up until their 19th birthday to apply for the Extended Adoption Support Program. If they have not applied for the program prior to their 19th birthday or have become ineligible for the program prior to or any time after their 19th birthday, they can no longer participate in the Extended Adoption Support Program.
It is your responsibility to tell the Adoption Support Program Consultant if there are any changes to your child's situation after participation in the Extended Adoption Support Program has been approved.
Under no circumstances can Extended Adoption Support continue for a youth beyond their 21st birthday, even if they continue to participate in a qualifying activity.
Updated verification of your child's participation in a qualifying activity will be requested regularly by your Adoption Support Program Consultant. The frequency of the re-verification will be case specific depending on the youth’s qualifying activity.
Adoptive parents must remain the payee for any ongoing financial support the youth gets through Extended Adoption Support, which is why they must show they are still using it to financially support the youth.
Please contact your Adoption Support Program Consultant for any case specific questions.
College Resources for Adopted Youth Turning 18
Adoption After Age 13
If your child is age 13 years or older at the time of the adoption, they are eligible to apply as an independent student for federal financial aid for college.
Adoption After Age 14
Youth adopted between the ages of 14 and 18 may have continued eligibility for the Washington College Bound Scholarship.
Adoption After Age 16
Educational Training Vouchers - ETV offers money to eligible youth to attend an accredited college or vocational training program. The funds can be used for educational and living costs. The maximum ETV award changes year to year based on funding.
