Allowance

Do I get an allowance?

If you are in a group home or foster home, you will be given an allowance to learn the value and use of money and to learn to spend and save.

What age do I start to get an allowance?

Your case manager will look at your life skills and notes from meetings on your case to see if you are old enough to understand and manage your allowance.    

How often do I get an allowance? 

You must get an allowance at least monthly

Where will my allowance be documented?

Your allowance will be documented in a form called a “Placement Transition Plan”  and under the financial plan section in your independent living “My Pathways to Success Plan”. 

The following information will be in these plans:

• Your current placement 
• The caregiver responsible for giving you your allowance 
• How often and how much allowance you will get 
• If your allowance ends (like if you go to live with a relative or are reunified) 

A plan for you to work with the caregiver on your independent living skills such as finance skills and budgeting that will include: 

• Reviewing monthly balance 
• Discussion of saving and spending your allowance 
• Showing who is responsible for manage the allowance 
• The case manager and caregiver must make sure there is someone who can manage the allowance for youth that are unable to manage it themselves. 

Can my allowance be taken away as punishment? 

Your allowance CANNOT be taken away from you as a way of punishment and must not be tied to your behavior or doing chores. There may be some limits in place for you if you are not following rules in your placement, but withholding your allowance is not one of them.

What can I buy with my allowance? 

You may save or spend your allowance. There could be some rules on how you spend your money. For example, you would not be allowed to buy something dangerous. 

You are not expected to buy items you need for hygiene such as a toothbrush or soap. You are also not expected to buy yourself school supplies, clothing or other things you need out of your allowance. Your foster parent, group home, or caregiver has to buy these items for you. 

What if I do not get my allowance? 

Your case manager should check with you during each home visit to make sure that you have gotten your allowance. So, if you are having any problems with getting your allowance you should tell your case manager as soon as possible. You may also contact your Guardian ad litem or attorney if you have one to tell them you are not getting your allowance or inform the judge at your next court hearing. 

How much should I get for allowance?

You should be getting the same amount of allowance as all other kids your age. Your placement must also keep track of the amount of allowance that they have received from the State for you. When your case manager asks if you are getting your monthly allowance, check with them to make sure you are getting the right amount of allowance. 

Can anyone refuse to pay my monthly allowance or use my Master Trust account’s personal allowance instead?

The monthly allowance is part of the money your placement gets each month and a specific part of that must be put aside for you. Any “personal allowance” you get from your Master Trust account is in addition to the monthly allowance. Not every child has a Master Trust Account. 

Do I get an allowance in an emergency shelter or group home?

Yes. The law says if you are in a licensed placement you must be given an allowance. You do not have to use allowance to purchase hygiene items, school supplies, clothing, or other items you need even if you are in a shelter or group home. Those items must still be provided to you in your placement.