Caregiver Payment Levels

As a licensed caregiver, you can get monthly foster care payments. Find out how much money you'll receive to support the child in your care.

Note

In January 2024, DCYF updated its caregiver payment levels. Learn more about why we made these changes.

Levels of caregiver supports

Your monthly payment amount depends on the level or type of caregiver supports the child needs.

Here are the different levels of caregiver supports:

  • Level 1 (Basic care): The child does not have any identified health or behavioral needs.
  • Level 2: The child or youth is age 12 or older with no identified health or behavioral needs.
  • Level 3: The child or youth has a chronic health condition that may last at least a year.
  • Level 4: The child or youth has a developmental disability.
  • Level 5: The child or youth has both a chronic health condition and a developmental disability.
  • Level 6: The child or youth has a mental health diagnosis or a prescription for a mental health condition within the past 15 months.
  • Level 7: The child or youth has attempted suicide or self-harm, requiring medical care in the past 15 months, or has received crisis mental health services during that time.

Learn more about how we assign levels of caregiver supports (PDF).

Monthly caregiver payment amount

You can get basic foster care payments (Level 1) to reimburse you for food, clothing, shelter, and other caregiving costs. The payments are given monthly at a flat rate. They’re not an itemized reimbursement for individual caregiving costs.

Levels 2 to 7 are supplemental or extra payments you can get if you care for a child who has physical, developmental, behavioral, or mental health needs.

Depending on the child’s age and level of caregiver supports, here’s your estimated monthly payment amount.

Age 0 to 5

  • Level 1: $722
  • Level 2: N/A
  • Level 3: $1,407
  • Level 4: $1,759.50
  • Level 5: $2,092
  • Level 6: $2,434.50
  • Level 7: $2,777

Age 5 to 11

  • Level 1: $846
  • Level 2: N/A
  • Level 3: $1,531
  • Level 4: $1,873.50
  • Level 5: $2,216
  • Level 6: $2,558.50
  • Level 7: $2,901

Age 12 or older

  • Level 1: $860
  • Level 2: $1,202.50
  • Level 3: $1,545
  • Level 4: $1,887.50
  • Level 5: $2,230
  • Level 6: $2,572.50
  • Level 7: $2,951

Get help

If you have questions about caregiver supports, email us at: dcyf.caregiversupports@dcyf.wa.gov.

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